Ezekiel 17:14
New International Version
so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to rise again, surviving only by keeping his treaty.

New Living Translation
so Israel would not become strong again and revolt. Only by keeping her treaty with Babylon could Israel survive.

English Standard Version
that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand.

Berean Standard Bible
so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant.

King James Bible
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

New King James Version
that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

New American Standard Bible
so that the kingdom would be humbled, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant so that it might continue.

NASB 1995
that the kingdom might be in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant that it might continue.

NASB 1977
that the kingdom might be in subjection, not exalting itself, but keeping his covenant, that it might continue.

Legacy Standard Bible
that the kingdom might become lowly, not lifting itself up, but keeping his covenant that it might continue.

Amplified Bible
so that the kingdom would be in subjection, unable to restore itself and rise again, but that by keeping his covenant it might continue.

Christian Standard Bible
so that the kingdom would be humble and not exalt itself but would keep his covenant in order to endure.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so the kingdom might be humble and not exalt itself but might keep his covenant in order to endure.

American Standard Version
that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

Contemporary English Version
so that the rest of the people of Judah would obey only him and never gain control of their own country again.

English Revised Version
that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
so that it would remain a humiliated country and be unable to regain its power. The country could only survive by keeping the treaty.

Good News Translation
to keep the nation from rising again and to make sure that the treaty would be kept.

International Standard Version
in order to humiliate the kingdom so it wouldn't be able to return to power, but would still be able to continue as long as he keeps his covenant.

Majority Standard Bible
so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant.

NET Bible
so it would be a lowly kingdom which could not rise on its own but must keep its treaty with him in order to stand.

New Heart English Bible
that the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

Webster's Bible Translation
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

World English Bible
that the kingdom might be brought low, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
That the kingdom may be humble, "" That it may not lift itself up, "" To keep his covenant—that it may stand.

Young's Literal Translation
That the kingdom may be humble, That it may not lift itself up, To keep his covenant -- that it may stand.

Smith's Literal Translation
To be a low kingdom, not to be lifted up, to watch his covenant to stand to it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That it may be a low kingdom and not lift itself up, but keep his covenant, and observe it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so that it may be a lowly kingdom, and may not lift itself up, and may instead keep his pact and serve it.

New American Bible
To be a humble kingdom, without high aspirations, to keep his covenant and so survive.

New Revised Standard Version
so that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That the kingdom might be humbled, and that they might keep his covenant, and stand by him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But their kingdom shall be laid low and they shall keep his covenant and they shall stand with him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
that his might be a lowly kingdom, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that it may become a weak kingdom, so as never to lift itself up, that he may keep his covenant, and establish it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable Explained
13He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land, 14so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. 15But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’…

Cross References
Jeremiah 27:12
And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!

2 Kings 24:17
Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

2 Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Jeremiah 38:17-18
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

Daniel 4:17
This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

Hosea 10:13
You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men,

Isaiah 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.

Jeremiah 52:3
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Kings 25:6-7
The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. / And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 37:2
But he and his officers and the people of the land refused to obey the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.


Treasury of Scripture

That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

the kingdom

Ezekiel 17:6
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Ezekiel 29:14
And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.

Deuteronomy 28:43
The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

base.

Jeremiah 27:12-17
I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live…

Jeremiah 38:17
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:

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Agreement Base Continue Covenant Exalting Humble Itself Keeping Kingdom Lift Lifting Power Rise Servants Stand Subjection Surviving Treaty Unable
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Agreement Base Continue Covenant Exalting Humble Itself Keeping Kingdom Lift Lifting Power Rise Servants Stand Subjection Surviving Treaty Unable
Ezekiel 17
1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine
11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt
22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel














so that the kingdom
The phrase "so that the kingdom" refers to the nation of Judah, which is the focus of this prophecy. In the Hebrew text, the word for "kingdom" is "מַמְלָכָה" (mamlakah), which denotes a realm or dominion under a king's rule. Historically, Judah was a small kingdom in the ancient Near East, often caught between larger empires. This context is crucial as it highlights the vulnerability and dependency of Judah on God's covenant and guidance.

would be brought low
The phrase "would be brought low" indicates a humbling or reduction in status. The Hebrew root "שָׁפֵל" (shafel) means to be low or humble. This humbling was a result of Judah's disobedience and rebellion against God. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God. It reflects the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

unable to lift itself up
"Unable to lift itself up" suggests a state of helplessness or incapacity. The imagery here is of a kingdom that cannot regain its former glory or power through its own efforts. This is a direct consequence of breaking the covenant with God. Historically, Judah's attempts to ally with Egypt against Babylon were futile, illustrating the futility of relying on human strength rather than divine support.

but would survive
The phrase "but would survive" offers a glimmer of hope amidst judgment. The Hebrew word "חָיָה" (chayah) means to live or remain alive. Despite the humbling and the inability to rise, there is a promise of survival. This reflects God's mercy and faithfulness to His covenant, even when His people are unfaithful. It underscores the theme of divine preservation and the remnant theology prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

by keeping his covenant
"By keeping his covenant" is the condition for survival. The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit), which signifies a solemn agreement or promise. In the biblical context, covenants are central to God's relationship with His people. This phrase emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. It serves as a call to return to covenantal faithfulness, highlighting that true security and prosperity come from adherence to God's will.

(14) That the kingdom might be base.--(See the Notes on Ezekiel 17:6.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
so that the kingdom
מַמְלָכָ֣ה (mam·lā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

would be
לִֽהְיוֹת֙ (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

brought low,
שְׁפָלָ֔ה (šə·p̄ā·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 8217: Depressed

unable
לְבִלְתִּ֖י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

to lift itself up,
הִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א (hiṯ·naś·śê)
Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

keeping
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

his covenant
בְּרִית֖וֹ (bə·rî·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

to survive.
לְעָמְדָֽהּ׃ (lə·‘ā·mə·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:14 That the kingdom might be base that (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:13
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