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Ezekiel 17

Ezekiel 17:12

The Parable Explained · Ezekiel 17:11–24
Read Ezekiel 17

Translations

Modern
“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.
Traditional
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
Literal
“Say now to the house of rebellion, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ Say, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and he took her king and her princes, and he brought them with him to Babylon.
Latin
Dic ad domum exasperantem: Nescitis quid ista significent? Dic: Ecce venit rex Babylonis in Jerusalem, et assumet regem et principes ejus, et adducet eos ad semetipsum in Babylonem.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Now say to this rebellious house: ‘Do you not know what these things mean?’ Tell them, ‘Behold, the king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, carried off its king and officials, and brought them back with him to Babylon.

Notes

Ezekiel 17:11–18

  • The first eagle represents Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The cedar sprig represents Jehoiachin, whom Nebuchadnezzar took away to Babylon. The plant that later grew into a low vine represents Zedekiah. The second eagle represents Egypt. Zedekiah asked Egypt for help because he wanted to break free from Babylon’s rule.

    The hot east wind represents judgment from Babylon. This wind pulled up and dried out Jerusalem. In other words, Babylon destroyed the city as an act of judgment.

  • The picture of the eagle caring for the vine may describe God’s care for Israel more than Nebuchadnezzar’s concern for Zedekiah. This comparison shows an important lesson. Zedekiah rebelled against his overlord (the king who ruled over him), Nebuchadnezzar. In a similar way, Israel rebelled against the Lord.

    Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon was extremely foolish. It led to destruction and death. Israel’s rebellion against the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, was even more foolish.

Ezekiel 17:1–24

This chapter includes a riddle. A riddle is a type of metaphorical speech (language that uses pictures and comparisons). It both hides and shows the meaning at the same time.

The chapter is also a fable. A fable is a story that teaches a moral lesson. It often tells the lesson through plants or animals instead of people.

This creative setting creates distance between the story and real life. That distance helps the listener receive the message. It lowers resistance to a message that may be hard or unpleasant to hear.

Ezekiel 15:1–24:14

This section includes eight metaphors, each showing from a different angle the certainty of Jerusalem's upcoming judgment. The images are of:

  1. a worthless vine (Ezekiel 15);

  2. a faithless wife (Ezekiel 16);

  3. a vine and two eagles (Ezekiel 17);

  4. Sour grapes (Ezekiel 18);

  5. a lion and her cubs (Ezekiel 19);

  6. a sword (Ezekiel 21);

  7. two corrupt sisters (Ezekiel 23); and

  8. a cooking pot (Ezekiel 24).

Events

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Alliance Cedar Curse, Cursed Ezekiel, Book of Hosea, Book of Riddle

Topics

Babylon: Revolt of the Jews From, and Their Punishment Illustrated Citizens: Wicked: Jews Rebellion Against God: Ministers: should Testify Against Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar by Ezekiel Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Forms an Alliance with the King of Egypt Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Throws off his Allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar