Ezekiel 31:15
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוִ֗ה
H3068
יְהוִ֗ה
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּי֨וֹם
In the day
H3117
בְּי֨וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רִדְתּ֤וֹ
when he went down
H3381
רִדְתּ֤וֹ
when he went down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 25
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
שְׁא֙וֹלָה֙
to the grave
H7585
שְׁא֙וֹלָה֙
to the grave
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
7 of 25
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
כִּסֵּ֤תִי
I covered
H3680
כִּסֵּ֤תִי
I covered
Strong's:
H3680
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּה֔וֹם
the deep
H8415
תְּה֔וֹם
the deep
Strong's:
H8415
Word #:
12 of 25
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
וָֽאֶמְנַע֙
for him and I restrained
H4513
וָֽאֶמְנַע֙
for him and I restrained
Strong's:
H4513
Word #:
13 of 25
to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
נַהֲרוֹתֶ֔יהָ
the floods
H5104
נַהֲרוֹתֶ֔יהָ
the floods
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
14 of 25
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
וַיִּכָּלְא֖וּ
were stayed
H3607
וַיִּכָּלְא֖וּ
were stayed
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
15 of 25
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
מַ֣יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֣יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
16 of 25
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רַבִּ֑ים
thereof and the great
H7227
רַבִּ֑ים
thereof and the great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
17 of 25
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וָאַקְדִּ֤ר
to mourn
H6937
וָאַקְדִּ֤ר
to mourn
Strong's:
H6937
Word #:
18 of 25
to be ashy, i.e., dark-colored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְבָנ֔וֹן
and I caused Lebanon
H3844
לְבָנ֔וֹן
and I caused Lebanon
Strong's:
H3844
Word #:
20 of 25
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲצֵ֥י
for him and all the trees
H6086
עֲצֵ֥י
for him and all the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
22 of 25
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Historical Context
Assyria's fall in 612 BC did shock the known world. Nahum prophesied it; when it occurred, the speed and completeness stunned observers. Nations that suffered under Assyrian brutality celebrated (Nahum 3:19). The 'cosmic mourning' imagery reflects the magnitude of Assyria's collapse—reorganizing the entire geopolitical landscape. Egypt would similarly shock the world by falling.
Questions for Reflection
- What does cosmic imagery (creation mourning) teach about empires' significance?
- How is this 'mourning' ironic—horror rather than honor?
- What does the contrast between creation mourning empires but rejoicing in God's kingdom reveal?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave—When Assyria descended to שְׁאוֹל (shĕʾôl, 'Sheol/grave'), nature itself mourned. I caused a mourning: I covered the deep for him—God made תְּהוֹם (tĕhôm, 'the deep/primordial waters') mourn. This cosmic imagery suggests creation itself responds to great empires' falls.
And I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed—Rivers stopped flowing in mourning. And I caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him—לְבָנוֹן (Lĕbānôn, Lebanon) famous for cedars, mourns; all trees עֻלְּפֶה (ʿullĕpeh, 'faint/languish'). This hyperbolic poetic imagery depicts Assyria's fall as cosmically significant—creation itself grieves. Yet this 'mourning' is ironic: not honor but horror. The same creation that 'mourns' empires' fall will rejoice at God's kingdom (Psalm 96:11-13).