Ezekiel 31:4

Authorized King James Version

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The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.

Original Language Analysis

מַ֣יִם The waters H4325
מַ֣יִם The waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 1 of 16
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
גִּדְּל֔וּהוּ made him great H1431
גִּדְּל֔וּהוּ made him great
Strong's: H1431
Word #: 2 of 16
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
תְּה֖וֹם the deep H8415
תְּה֖וֹם the deep
Strong's: H8415
Word #: 3 of 16
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
רֹֽמְמָ֑תְהוּ set him up on high H7311
רֹֽמְמָ֑תְהוּ set him up on high
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 4 of 16
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
נַהֲרֹתֶ֗יהָ with her rivers H5104
נַהֲרֹתֶ֗יהָ with her rivers
Strong's: H5104
Word #: 6 of 16
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
הֹלֵךְ֙ running H1980
הֹלֵךְ֙ running
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
סְבִיב֣וֹת round about H5439
סְבִיב֣וֹת round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 8 of 16
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
מַטָּעָ֔הּ his plants H4302
מַטָּעָ֔הּ his plants
Strong's: H4302
Word #: 9 of 16
something planted, i.e., the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication, the act, planting
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּעָלֹתֶ֣יהָ her little rivers H8585
תְּעָלֹתֶ֣יהָ her little rivers
Strong's: H8585
Word #: 11 of 16
a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound)
שִׁלְחָ֔ה and sent out H7971
שִׁלְחָ֔ה and sent out
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 12 of 16
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶ֖ל H413
אֶ֖ל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲצֵ֥י unto all the trees H6086
עֲצֵ֥י unto all the trees
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 15 of 16
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ of the field H7704
הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ of the field
Strong's: H7704
Word #: 16 of 16
a field (as flat)

Analysis & Commentary

The 'waters' and 'rivers' represent resources, wealth, and prosperity that caused Assyria's growth. God provided these blessings, not Assyria's inherent greatness. Attributing God-given resources to human achievement exemplifies pride. The cedar's height and reach depended entirely on water supply—Assyria's greatness depended entirely on God's providence, though they didn't acknowledge it.

Historical Context

Assyria's prosperity derived from controlling international trade routes and agricultural regions. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided life and commerce. Yet Assyria credited their gods and military might, not Yahweh's providence.

Questions for Reflection

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