Ezekiel 31:10
New International Version
“’Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,

New Living Translation
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because Egypt became proud and arrogant, and because it set itself so high above the others, with its top reaching to the clouds,

English Standard Version
“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height,

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,

King James Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

New King James Version
“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and its heart was lifted up in its height,

New American Standard Bible
‘Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “Because it is tall in stature and has put its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness,

NASB 1995
‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness,

NASB 1977
‘Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, “Because it is high in stature, and it has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness,

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Therefore thus says Lord Yahweh, “Because it is lofty in height and has put its top among the clouds, and its heart is high up in its loftiness,

Amplified Bible
‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the thick boughs and the clouds, and its heart is proud of its height,

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Since it towered high in stature and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,

American Standard Version
Therefore thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thou art exalted in stature, and he hath set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

Contemporary English Version
King of Egypt, now listen to what I, the LORD God, am saying about that tree: The tree grew so tall that it reached the sky and became very proud and arrogant.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD: Because thou art exalted in stature, and he hath set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: The tree grew very tall, and its top reached the clouds. It became arrogant because it was so tall.

Good News Translation
"Now then, I, the Sovereign LORD, will tell you what is going to happen to that tree that grew until it reached the clouds. As it grew taller it grew proud;

International Standard Version
"Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because of its towering height, with its summit reaching into the clouds, and because it was haughty in its position,

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,

NET Bible
"'Therefore this is what the sovereign LORD says: Because it was tall in stature, and its top reached into the clouds, and it was proud of its height,

New Heart English Bible
"Therefore thus said the Lord GOD: 'Because you are exalted in stature, and he has set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in hight, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his hight;

World English Bible
“Therefore thus said the Lord Yahweh: ‘Because he is exalted in stature, and he has set his top among the thick branches, and his heart is lifted up in his height,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, thus said Lord YHWH: Because that you have been high in stature, "" And he yields his foliage between thickets, "" And his heart is high in his haughtiness,

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because that thou hast been high in stature, And he yieldeth his foliage between thickets, And high is his heart in his haughtiness,

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because thou wert lifted up in height, and he will give his foliage between the thick boughs, and his heart was lifted up in his height;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord God Because he was exalted in height, and shot up his top green and thick, and his heart was lifted up in his height:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, thus says the Lord God: Since he was sublime in height, and he made his summit green and dense, and his heart was exalted because of his height,

New American Bible
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: Because it was arrogant about its height, lifting its crown among the clouds and exalting itself because of its size,

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD God: Because it has exalted itself and has shot up its top among the thick boughs and its heart is haughty because of its height,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: ‘Because he has been lifted up in his stature and his growth shot up among the thick branches, and his heart was lifted up in his pride
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Because thou art exalted in stature, and he hath set his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Because thou art grown great, and hast set thy top in the midst of the clouds, and I saw when he was exalted;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Egypt will Fall Like Assyria
9I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’ 10Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height, 11I delivered it into the hand of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with it according to its wickedness. I have banished it.…

Cross References
Isaiah 14:13-15
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” / But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

Daniel 4:30-32
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

Isaiah 2:12-17
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— / against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, / against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills, ...

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 10:12-19
So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. / For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” ...

Jeremiah 50:31-32
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”

2 Chronicles 26:16-21
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

Isaiah 37:23-24
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests.

Ezekiel 28:2-10
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...

Isaiah 47:7-9
You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome. / So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ / These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells.

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Because you have lifted up yourself in height, and he has shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

Because

Matthew 23:12
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

and his

Ezekiel 31:14
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 28:17
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

2 Chronicles 25:19
Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

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Ezekiel 31
1. A relation unto Pharaoh
3. of the glory of Assyria
10. and the fall thereof for pride
18. The like destruction of Egypt














“Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says”
This phrase introduces a divine pronouncement, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" is "Adonai Yahweh," which underscores God's supreme authority and covenant relationship with His people. In the context of Ezekiel, God is addressing the pride and downfall of nations, using His prophet to convey His message. This introduction sets the stage for a serious and authoritative declaration from God Himself.

“Because it towered high”
The imagery of a tree towering high symbolizes pride and self-exaltation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, tall trees often represented powerful nations or rulers. The Hebrew word for "towered" conveys the idea of reaching or aspiring to great heights, both physically and metaphorically. This phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and the false security that comes from earthly power and success.

“set its top among the clouds,”
This phrase continues the metaphor of a tree, suggesting an aspiration to divine status or invincibility. In ancient cultures, mountains and high places were often associated with the divine realm. The imagery of setting its top among the clouds implies an attempt to rival God’s position, echoing the hubris seen in the Tower of Babel narrative. It serves as a reminder of the futility of human arrogance in the face of divine sovereignty.

“and it grew proud”
Pride is a central theme in this passage, highlighting the moral and spiritual downfall that accompanies it. The Hebrew root for "proud" suggests a sense of arrogance and self-reliance. Biblically, pride is often the precursor to judgment, as it leads individuals and nations away from dependence on God. This phrase warns of the spiritual blindness that pride can cause, leading to inevitable downfall.

“on account of its height,”
The emphasis on height reinforces the idea of self-exaltation and the false sense of security it brings. In the biblical context, height is often associated with power and majesty, but also with vulnerability to divine judgment. This phrase serves as a cautionary note that what is perceived as strength can become a source of weakness when it leads to pride and estrangement from God.

(10) Among the thick boughs.--The clouds, as in Ezekiel 31:3; Ezekiel 31:14, and Ezekiel 19:11. As Ezekiel 31:3-9 have described Assyria's greatness, so Ezekiel 31:10-14 speak of her fall. This was now a past event, yet is in part poetically spoken of in the future (Ezekiel 31:11; Ezekiel 31:13), making the whole more graphic and effective. The future may also have been used because the object of this parable is not Assyria, but Egypt, whose fall was still to come. At the outset Assyria is directly addressed in the second person in the vividness of the description, but the third person is used afterwards. The ground of the judgment upon Assyria is its pride, on which 2Kings 18:32-35 may be considered a commentary. . . . Verses 10, 11. - Because thou hast lifted up thyself. The second and third persons are curiously mixed; probably the former was in the nature of a warning addressed to the King of Egypt, while the latter continues the parable of the history of Assyria. For boughs read clouds, as in Ver. 3. Ezekiel writes as with the feeling which led Solon to note that the loftiest trees are those which are most exposed to the strokes of the thunderbolts of Zeus (Herod., 7:10). The Assyrian's heart was "lifted up with pride" (Isaiah 10:5), and therefore he was delivered to the mighty one of the nations; sc. to Nebuchadnezzar.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

this is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Since
יַ֕עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

it became great
גָּבַ֖הְתָּ (gā·ḇah·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty

in height
בְּקוֹמָ֑ה (bə·qō·w·māh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6967: Height

and set
וַיִּתֵּ֤ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

its top
צַמַּרְתּוֹ֙ (ṣam·mar·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6788: Fleeciness, foliage

among
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the clouds,
עֲבוֹתִ֔ים (‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 5688: Something intwined, a string, wreath, foliage

and it grew proud
וְרָ֥ם (wə·rām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

on account of its height,
בְּגָבְהֽוֹ׃ (bə·ḡā·ḇə·hōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1363: Elation, grandeur, arrogance


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 31:10 Therefore thus said the Lord Yahweh: Because (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 31:9
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