Ezekiel 31:8
The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֲמָמֻהוּ֮
could not hide
H6004
עֲמָמֻהוּ֮
could not hide
Strong's:
H6004
Word #:
3 of 22
to associate; by implication, to overshadow (by huddling together)
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּרוֹשִׁ֗ים
him the fir trees
H1265
בְּרוֹשִׁ֗ים
him the fir trees
Strong's:
H1265
Word #:
6 of 22
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דָמָ֥ה
was like
H1819
דָמָ֥ה
was like
Strong's:
H1819
Word #:
8 of 22
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
וְעַרְמֹנִ֥ים
and the chesnut trees
H6196
וְעַרְמֹנִ֥ים
and the chesnut trees
Strong's:
H6196
Word #:
11 of 22
the plane tree (from its smooth and shed bark)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָי֖וּ
H1961
הָי֖וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּפֹֽרֹאתָ֑יו
were not like his branches
H6288
כְּפֹֽרֹאתָ֑יו
were not like his branches
Strong's:
H6288
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, ornamentation, i.e., (plural) foliage (including the limbs) as bright green
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵץ֙
nor any tree
H6086
עֵץ֙
nor any tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
16 of 22
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Ezekiel 28:13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.Isaiah 51:3For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.Psalms 80:10The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.Genesis 13:10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.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 31:18To 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.
Historical Context
Assyria's capital Nineveh was called 'the city of blood' (Nahum 3:1) despite its cultural achievements. Military cruelty, imperial oppression, and religious arrogance characterized Assyrian rule, making their judgment righteous despite their outward glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does greater blessing and privilege increase accountability to God?
- What responsibilities accompany the spiritual advantages God has given you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even 'the cedars in the garden of God' couldn't match Assyria—she surpassed Eden's trees in glory. This hyperbolic comparison emphasizes unprecedented greatness, yet makes judgment more dramatic. Those given much are held more accountable (Luke 12:48). Assyria's unmatched glory magnified her unmatched fall. Privilege increases responsibility.