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Ezekiel 31:3

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

Behold, the Assyrian [was] a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

Ezekiel 31:3 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 31:3

Theological / Devotional

The Assyrian. Heb. ’Ashshur, “Assyria.” A change of one letter of the consonantal Hebrew and a change in pointing to ’ashweka give the reading “I will liken thee.” The sentence would then read, “Behold, I will liken thee to a cedar in Lebanon” (see RSV). However, we cannot be sure that such changes are justified. It is possible to understand the allegory if the reference to Assyria is retained. The history and downfall of Assyria would then be set forth as an example of the history and overthrow of Egypt. With the change in the text the application would be direct.

A cedar. For similar imagery see Isa. 10:34; 37:24; Eze. 17:3; Dan. 4:20-22; Zech. 11:1,2.

By SdaBc