Ezekiel 17:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 17:1-21

We must take all these verses together, that we may have the parable and the explanation of it at one view before us, because they will illustrate one another. 1. The prophet is appointed to put forth a riddle to the house of Israel (Ezek. 17:2), not to puzzle them, as Samson's riddle was put forth to the Philistines, not to hide the mind of God from them in obscurity, or to leave them in uncertainty about it, one advancing one conjecture and another another, as is usual in expounding riddles;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 17:5

He took also of the seed of the land ,.... Of the land of Judea, a native of it, not a stranger; not one of another country, a Babylonian; not one of his own nobles or princes, did Nebuchadnezzar, the eagle, take and set upon the throne of Judea, but one of their own, even one of the king's seed, of the blood royal, as it is explained, Ezekiel 17:13 , Mattaniah, the uncle of Jeconiah, whom the king of Babylon called Zedekiah, and made him king in his room: and planted it in a fruitful... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 17:5

The seed of the land - Zedekiah, brother of Jehoiachin. Planted it in a fruitful field - Made him king of Judea in place of his brother. Placed it by great waters - Put him under the protection of Babylon, situated on the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. And set it as a willow tree - Made him dependent on this city of great waters, as the willow is on humidity. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 17:5

Verse 5 After Ezekiel has narrated that Jehoiacin was carried away with his counselors and the flower of the whole people, and was so deprived of his native country as to be without hope of return, he now says, that the eagle took up the seed in Judea, and placed it in a fertile land; for he calls it a land of seed, since it was cultivated and produced fruit abundantly. He says, that the seed was afterwards hidden in the soil, that it grew immediately, and became a luxuriant vine. He says also,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:1-21

The parable of the vine. Sin of every sort has a baneful power of blinding the mind of the transgressor. The thief does not perceive the criminality of his act. He complains only of the law which is so severe. The drunkard does not perceive the culpability of his course. May he not order his life as he pleases? So is it in every case—even in the case of secret sin. The moral sense is blinded, infatuated, indurated. In all such instances some ingenious method is required to convince the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:1-21

A parabolic setting forth of the relations of Judah to Babylon and Egypt. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable," etc. Let us notice— I. THE PARABLE AND ITS INTERPRETATION . It would be unwise to attempt to fix a definite meaning to every minute feature of the parable; and its chief features are interpreted for us by Ezekiel. The great eagle is intended to represent the King of Babylon, and, being a royal bird. it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:3-10

The parable of the two eagles. I. THE FIRST EAGLE AND THE CEDAR . The eagle is the King of Babylon. The cedar is the house of David. Nebuchadnezzar cut off the topmost twigs of this tree when he deported Jehoiakim and his court to Babylon. 1 . God uses powerful instruments . The eagle is the king of birds. The one here described is of exceptional splendour, with variegated plumage ( Ezekiel 17:3 ). Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful monarch of his age, and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:5

The seed of the land is Zedekiah, who was made king by Nebuchadnezzar in Jeconiah's place. The imagery of the willow (the Hebrew word occurs here only) seems suggested by Ezekiel's surroundings. No tree could stand out in greater contrast to the cedar of Lebanon than the willows which he saw growing by the waters of Babylon ( Psalms 137:2 , though the word is different). The choice of the willow determined the rest of the imagery, and the fruitful field and the great or "many" (Revised... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:5-6

Prosperity in adversity. In figurative language Ezekiel describes the position of the remnant permitted by the monarch of Babylon to remain in the land of their fathers, and to pursue their industries in peace under their own rulers, enjoying the protection of the Eastern power. The lowly vine is suffered by the mighty eagle to take root in the soil, to spread, and to bear fruit, unmolested and in a measure prosperous. The prophet is aware of the foolish and treacherous conduct of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 17:5-10

Discontent and its disastrous development. "He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field," etc. Explain the parable as far as is necessary to make application of the text clear. I. THE CONDITION ALLOTTED TO US IN THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS GOOD FOR US , AND USUALLY AFFORDS SCOPE FOR PROGRESS . "He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field," etc. ( Ezekiel 17:5 , Ezekiel 17:8 ). Zedekiah King... read more

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