Ezekiel 17:9
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezekiel 17:9
9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Chapter Context
Ezekiel 17 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, wisdom, redemption. Written during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-570 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ministered to exiles in Babylon with visions of God's glory and future restoration.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-24: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezekiel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezekiel 17:9
9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Analysis
God's questions demand contemplation of rebellion's futility: 'Shall it prosper?' The answer: emphatic no. Judgment is comprehensive—Babylon 'shall pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof.' The Hebrew yabesh ('wither') denotes complete death. Critically, this destruction requires no 'great power'—Babylon's victory is divinely decreed. The principle: resisting God's sovereign purposes brings inevitable judgment.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (588-586 BC) after learning of the Egyptian alliance. Egyptian forces briefly appeared but retreated (Jeremiah 37:5-11). The city fell in 586 BC; Zedekiah was captured, his sons executed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-7).
Reflection
- What modern 'rebellions' against God's will appear to prosper but are doomed?
- How should certainty of God's judgment affect our choices today?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H136 - The LORD / Lord