Ezekiel 31:17
They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אִתּ֛וֹ
H854
אִתּ֛וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יָרְד֥וּ
They also went down
H3381
יָרְד֥וּ
They also went down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
4 of 13
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
שְׁא֖וֹלָה
into hell
H7585
שְׁא֖וֹלָה
into hell
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
5 of 13
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
חַלְלֵי
with him unto them that be slain
H2491
חַלְלֵי
with him unto them that be slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
7 of 13
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חָ֑רֶב
with the sword
H2719
חָ֑רֶב
with the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 13
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וּזְרֹע֛וֹ
and they that were his arm
H2220
וּזְרֹע֛וֹ
and they that were his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
9 of 13
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
יָשְׁב֥וּ
that dwelt
H3427
יָשְׁב֥וּ
that dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Psalms 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.Ezekiel 31:6All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.Ezekiel 31:3Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
Historical Context
When Assyria fell (612 BC), vassal states were conquered by Babylon: Elam, parts of Media, Syrian states, etc. 'His arm' (military allies) and 'his shadow' (protected vassals) indeed descended with Assyria. Similarly, when Egypt fell to Babylon (568/567 BC), allied states suffered. The pattern holds throughout history: when superpowers collapse, dependent nations collapse with them.
Questions for Reflection
- What does allies descending to Sheol with empires teach about misplaced trust?
- How does 'dwelling under his shadow' contrast with dwelling under God's shadow (Psalm 91)?
- What modern alliances might prove similarly fatal when 'shadows' vanish?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword—Assyria's allies and vassals (הֵם, hēm, 'they') descended to שְׁאוֹל (shĕʾôl, 'Sheol') חֲלָלֵי־חֶרֶב (ḥălālê-ḥereb, 'slain of the sword') along with her. When empires fall, their dependents fall too.
And they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen—זְרוֹעוֹ (zĕrôʿô, 'his arm')—military allies; צִלּוֹ (ṣillô, 'his shadow')—vassal states seeking protection. Both perished with Assyria. This warns nations trusting Egypt: when she falls, you fall with her. Dependence on human power is shared doom. Only those trusting God's shadow (Psalm 91:1) find lasting protection; earthly empires' shadows vanish when they fall.