Ezekiel 31:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 31:10-18

We have seen the king of Egypt resembling the king of Assyria in pomp, and power, and prosperity, how like he was to him in his greatness; now here we see, I. How he does likewise resemble him in his pride, Ezek. 31:10. For, as face answers to face in a glass, so does one corrupt carnal heart to another; and the same temptations of a prosperous state by which some are overcome are fatal to many others too. ?Thou, O king of Egypt! hast lifted up thyself in height, hast been proud of thy wealth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 31:18

To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden ?.... Among all the kings and potentates of the earth; pitch on whom you will, say which of them all, even the greatest of them for majesty and glory, for wealth and riches, power and authority, and extent of dominion, you are equal to; name the king of Assyria, if you please, before described, though you are not equal to him; and if you were, this would not secure you from ruin; since, as great as he was, he fell,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 31:18

This is Pharaoh - All that I have spoken in this allegory of the lofty cedar refers to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, his princes, confederates, and people. Calmet understands the whole chapter of the king of Assyria, under which he allows that Egypt is adumbrated; and hence on this verse he quotes: - Mutato nomine, de te fabula narratur . What is said of Assyria belongs to thee, O Egypt. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 31:1-18

A terrible perdition. Precious lemons can be learnt from God's treatment of others. As in others' conduct we may find a mirror of our own, so in others' chastisement we may find a reflected image of our own deserts. The principles on which God acts are these of eternal immutability. Therefore we may learn with certainty what will sooner or later happen. On the part of God, it is an act of genuine kindness that he holds up the perdition of one to deter others from sin. Thus he would turn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 31:10-18

The spectacle of fallen greatness. This very beautiful parable is suggestive of many things. The latter verses of the chapter bring the Divine meaning into full view. By the fact of the prophecy itself, we are reminded of— I. THE DELUSION TO WHICH GREATNESS IS SUBJECT ; Viz. that of imagining that it is invulnerable and irremovable. The strong kingdom says, "What power will touch me to hurt me? ' The strong man says, "What misfortune will overtake, what enemy will prevail... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 31:18

To whom art thou thus like , etc.? As in Ezekiel 31:10 , the prophet passes from the past to the present, from the third person to the second, and as it were says to Hophra, "Thou art the man! all that I have said of Assyria is true of thee." This is Pharaoh and all his multitude. In the midst of thin uncircumcised (see note on Ezekiel 28:10 ). As a matter of fact, the Egyptians practiced circumcision, and Ezekiel must be thought of as using the term as simply an epithet of scorn. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 31:18

The disappearance of Eden. The downfall of Assyria is compared to the falling of a great cedar, and the shock that this event produces among the nations is likened to the shaking of neighboring trees when the cedar is laid low. The cedar disappears, as Eden has disappeared. The poetic image suggests more than that the tree lies prone on the ground. It pictures it sinking into the earth and passing out of sight, as it supposes the trees of Eden to have done before. This striking idea of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 31:18

Greatness no exemption from retribution. The argument of Ezekiel is clear. His appeal is to Egypt. Having related the fall of Assyria the great, he turns to Pharaoh and to his people, and reminds them that the fate which overtook Assyria is not impossible to them. Greatness is manifestly no security against judgment. It is no sure defense against the arms of men, and no defense at all against the judgments of the almighty Ruler of mankind. I. GREATNESS MAY AND OFTEN DOES ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 31:18

Application to Pharaoh.The uncircumcised - The Egyptians, at least their nobles, were circumcised. Pharaoh should thus be dishonored with those whom the Egyptians themselves deemed unclean. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 31:18

Ezekiel 31:18. To whom art thou thus like in glory? &c. To whom, among the great princes of the world, canst thou, O king of Egypt, be so fitly compared, with all thy glory and greatness, as to this king of Assyria, since, like him, thou shalt be thrown down from all thy pomp and grandeur to the lowest state of humiliation and ruin. Thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised Thou shalt be put among those of whom God makes no account. “Nations that admitted circumcision, held the... read more

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