Ezekiel 31:6
All 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.
Original Language Analysis
קִֽנְנוּ֙
made their nests
H7077
קִֽנְנוּ֙
made their nests
Strong's:
H7077
Word #:
2 of 16
to nestle, i.e., build or occupy as a nest
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
ע֣וֹף
All the fowls
H5775
ע֣וֹף
All the fowls
Strong's:
H5775
Word #:
4 of 16
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
5 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְתַ֤חַת
H8478
וְתַ֤חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
6 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
פֹּֽארֹתָיו֙
and under his branches
H6288
פֹּֽארֹתָיו֙
and under his branches
Strong's:
H6288
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, ornamentation, i.e., (plural) foliage (including the limbs) as bright green
יָֽלְד֔וּ
bring forth their young
H3205
יָֽלְד֔וּ
bring forth their young
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
8 of 16
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַיַּ֣ת
did all the beasts
H2416
חַיַּ֣ת
did all the beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
10 of 16
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּבְצִלּוֹ֙
and under his shadow
H6738
וּבְצִלּוֹ֙
and under his shadow
Strong's:
H6738
Word #:
12 of 16
shade, whether literal or figurative
יֵֽשְׁב֔וּ
dwelt
H3427
יֵֽשְׁב֔וּ
dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
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)
Cross References
Matthew 13:32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.Ezekiel 17:23In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.Daniel 4:12The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.Daniel 4:21Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
Historical Context
Assyria's vassal system included dozens of nations paying tribute and seeking protection. When Assyria fell, these nations faced invasion from Babylon. Dependence on empire proved disastrous when the empire collapsed.
Questions for Reflection
- What human institutions, systems, or relationships are you depending on for security that might fail?
- How can you build your life on the solid foundation of God's faithfulness rather than contingent earthly supports?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All creatures found shelter in Assyria's branches and shadow—vassal nations depended on her. Yet dependence on empires rather than God creates false security. When the cedar falls, all dependent creatures are exposed. This teaches that only God provides ultimate security; human kingdoms eventually fail their dependents.