Ezekiel 31:18
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֨י
H4310
מִ֨י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 28
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
דָמִ֥יתָ
To whom art thou thus like
H1819
דָמִ֥יתָ
To whom art thou thus like
Strong's:
H1819
Word #:
3 of 28
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
כָּ֛כָה
H3602
בְּכָב֥וֹד
in glory
H3519
בְּכָב֥וֹד
in glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
עֲצֵי
among the trees
H6086
עֲצֵי
among the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
7 of 28
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וְהוּרַדְתָּ֙
yet shalt thou be brought down
H3381
וְהוּרַדְתָּ֙
yet shalt thou be brought down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 28
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
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
10 of 28
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עֲצֵי
among the trees
H6086
עֲצֵי
among the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
11 of 28
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
תַּחְתִּ֗ית
unto the nether parts
H8482
תַּחְתִּ֗ית
unto the nether parts
Strong's:
H8482
Word #:
15 of 28
lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)
בְּת֨וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֨וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
16 of 28
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
עֲרֵלִ֤ים
of the uncircumcised
H6189
עֲרֵלִ֤ים
of the uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
17 of 28
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
תִּשְׁכַּב֙
thou shalt lie
H7901
תִּשְׁכַּב֙
thou shalt lie
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
18 of 28
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
19 of 28
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
חַלְלֵי
with them that be slain
H2491
חַלְלֵי
with them that be slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
20 of 28
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חֶ֔רֶב
by the sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
21 of 28
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
22 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֲמוֹנֹ֔ה
and all his multitude
H1995
הֲמוֹנֹ֔ה
and all his multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
25 of 28
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
Cross References
Ezekiel 32:19Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.Ezekiel 32:21The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.Ezekiel 28:10Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.Psalms 52:7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.Matthew 13:19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.Ezekiel 31:16I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.Ezekiel 31:2Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
Historical Context
This concluding verse of chapter 31 (given 587 BC) proved accurate. Egypt fell to Babylon (568/567 BC), declined under Persia (525 BC), and lost independence permanently. 'Lying among the uncircumcised'—Egypt's proud civilization reduced to ignominy—fulfilled exactly. Ezekiel's extended metaphor (cedar, Eden trees, Sheol descent) proved prophetically accurate in historical reality.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the rhetorical force of asking 'to whom art thou like?' before declaring shared doom?
- How does lying 'among the uncircumcised' add insult to injury for Egypt?
- What do extended metaphors (tree, arm, etc.) accomplish that plain prophecy cannot?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden?—Rhetorical question to Pharaoh: which Eden tree compares to you? The answer: none, yet all fell. Yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth—Despite glory and greatness, Egypt will descend אֶל־אֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּית (ʾel-ʾereṣ taḥtît, 'to the lowest earth').
Thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword—Among עֲרֵלִים (ʿărēlîm, 'uncircumcised')—for Egypt, ritually contemptible (Egyptians practiced circumcision, viewing uncircumcised as barbarous). This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD—The identification הוּא פַרְעֹה (hûʾ pharʿōh, 'this is Pharaoh') personalizes the judgment. All the metaphors—great cedar, mighty tree, glory of Eden—describe Egypt's king and nation. Their fate is sealed: Sheol, among the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. The oracle against Egypt (chapters 29-32) concludes with this grim certainty.