Ezekiel 31:3
New International Version
Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage.

New Living Translation
You are like mighty Assyria, which was once like a cedar of Lebanon, with beautiful branches that cast deep forest shade and with its top high among the clouds.

English Standard Version
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds.

Berean Standard Bible
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.

King James Bible
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

New King James Version
Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, With fine branches that shaded the forest, And of high stature; And its top was among the thick boughs.

New American Standard Bible
‘Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade, And very high, And its top was among the clouds.

NASB 1995
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade, And very high, And its top was among the clouds.

NASB 1977
‘Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade, And very high; And its top was among the clouds.

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and forest shade And lofty in height, And its top was among the clouds.

Amplified Bible
‘Behold (listen carefully), Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon With beautiful branches and with forest shade, And of high stature, With its top among the clouds.

Christian Standard Bible
Think of Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and shady foliage and of lofty height. Its top was among the clouds.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Think of Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and shady foliage and of lofty height. Its top was among the clouds.

American Standard Version
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.

Contemporary English Version
There was once a cedar tree in Lebanon with large, strong branches reaching to the sky.

English Revised Version
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
What about Assyria? It was a cedar in Lebanon with fine branches that shaded the forest. It was very tall. Its top was among the clouds.

Good News Translation
You are like a cedar in Lebanon, With beautiful, shady branches, A tree so tall it reaches the clouds.

International Standard Version
Think about Assyria, that cedar of Lebanon, beautiful with its branches, like a shady forest, with an awesome height, its summit touches the clouds.

Majority Standard Bible
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.

NET Bible
Consider Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches, like a forest giving shade, and extremely tall; its top reached into the clouds.

New Heart English Bible
Look, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shady cover, and of a high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

World English Bible
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, and with a forest-like shade, of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, "" Beautiful in branch, and shading bough, and high in stature, "" And its foliage has been between thickets.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been.

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, Assur a cedar in Lebanon, fair of branch, and a shading thicket, and high of stature; and his foliage was between the thick boughs.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold, the Assyrian was like a cedar in Libanus, with fair branches, and full of leaves, of a high stature, and his top was elevated among the thick boughs.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, Assur is like the cedar of Lebanon, with fair branches, and full of leaves, and of high stature, and his summit has been elevated above the thick branches.

New American Bible
Assyria! It is Assyria! A cedar of Lebanon— Beautiful branches, thick shade, Towering heights, its crown in the clouds!

New Revised Standard Version
Consider Assyria, a cedar of Lebanon, with fair branches and forest shade, and of great height, its top among the clouds.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, the Assyrian was like a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches giving a thick shade and of a high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, the Assyrian, the cedar of Lebanon, whose branches are beautiful and whose shade is heavy, and whose height is high, and whose growth was among the thick ones
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon, With fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, And of a high stature; And its top was among the thick boughs.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, the Assyrian was a cypress in Libanus, and was fair in shoots, and high in stature: his top reached to the midst of the clouds.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Egypt will Fall Like Assyria
2“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? 3Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. 4The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:10-12
In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great. / The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. / Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

Isaiah 10:33-34
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Isaiah 2:12-13
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,

Isaiah 14:8
Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.”

Jeremiah 46:22-23
Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees. / They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.

Isaiah 37:24
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.

Isaiah 60:13
The glory of Lebanon will come to you—its cypress, elm, and boxwood together—to adorn the place of My sanctuary, and I will glorify the place of My feet.

Psalm 92:12-13
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Zechariah 11:1-2
Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars! / Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down!

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Revelation 18:16-19
saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! / For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. ...

Revelation 18:9-10
Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. / In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.

the Assyrian

Nahum 3:1
Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;

Zephaniah 2:13
And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

a cedar

Ezekiel 17:3,4,22
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: …

Isaiah 10:33,34
Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled…

Isaiah 37:24
By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.

Ezekiel 31:6
All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.

Judges 9:15
And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Daniel 4:12
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

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Asshur Assyria Assyrian Beautiful Bough Boughs Branch Branches Cedar Clouds Cover Fair Foliage Forest Great Growth Height High Lebanon Pine-Tree Shade Shadowing Shady Shroud Stature Thick Thickets Top
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Asshur Assyria Assyrian Beautiful Bough Boughs Branch Branches Cedar Clouds Cover Fair Foliage Forest Great Growth Height High Lebanon Pine-Tree Shade Shadowing Shady Shroud Stature Thick Thickets Top
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














Behold
The word "Behold" is a call to attention, urging the reader or listener to focus on what follows. In Hebrew, this is often translated from "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as an imperative to observe something significant. It is a divine invitation to witness a profound truth or revelation. In the context of Ezekiel, it underscores the importance of the message being delivered, drawing the audience into a deeper engagement with the prophetic vision.

Assyria
Assyria, in the historical and biblical context, was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and expansive conquests. The Hebrew term "אַשּׁוּר" (Ashur) refers to this ancient civilization, which played a significant role in the history of Israel and Judah. Assyria's mention here symbolizes a powerful and influential entity, often seen as a tool of God's judgment. The reference serves as a reminder of the rise and fall of empires under God's sovereign control.

was a cedar in Lebanon
The cedar tree, particularly those from Lebanon, is renowned for its grandeur, strength, and longevity. In Hebrew, "אֶרֶז" (erez) signifies a majestic tree, often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent might and nobility. Lebanon's cedars were highly prized for their quality and were used in the construction of significant structures, including Solomon's Temple. This imagery conveys Assyria's former glory and splendor, likening it to a towering, majestic cedar.

with beautiful branches
The phrase "with beautiful branches" highlights the tree's aesthetic appeal and expansive reach. In Hebrew, "יָפֶה" (yafeh) denotes beauty or attractiveness, suggesting that Assyria's influence and culture were once admired and widespread. The branches symbolize the empire's extensive dominion and the allure of its civilization, which captivated many nations.

that overshadowed the forest
This imagery of overshadowing the forest indicates dominance and superiority. The Hebrew root "צָלַל" (tsalal) implies casting a shadow, representing Assyria's overwhelming presence and control over other nations. The forest, a collection of trees, symbolizes the multitude of lesser kingdoms and peoples under Assyria's influence. This metaphor serves as a reminder of the empire's once vast and imposing power.

and of great height
The phrase "and of great height" emphasizes the towering stature and prominence of Assyria. In Hebrew, "גָּבֹהַּ" (gavoah) means high or exalted, reflecting the empire's elevated status among the nations. This description conveys the idea of Assyria's unmatched strength and the awe it inspired, serving as a testament to its former greatness.

its top among the clouds
The imagery of the top reaching "among the clouds" suggests an aspiration to divine heights, symbolizing pride and ambition. In Hebrew, "עָב" (av) refers to clouds, often associated with the heavens or the divine realm. This metaphor highlights Assyria's hubris and the eventual downfall that comes with such arrogance, echoing the biblical theme that pride precedes destruction.

(3) A cedar in Lebanon.--Lebanon is mentioned only because it was the place where the most famous cedars grew in their greatest perfection. Assyria did, indeed, at one time possess Lebanon, but this was never its home or seat of empire. The word "shroud" in the description refers to the thickness of the shade of the branches.

Among the thick boughs.--Rather, among the clouds. (See Note on Ezekiel 19:11 .Comp. also Ezekiel 31:10; Ezekiel 31:14.)

Verse 3. - Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon. The Hebrew text, as rendered in all versions and interpreted by most commentators, gives us, in the form of the parable of the cedar, the history of the Assyrian empire in its glory and its fall. That had passed away in spite of its greatness, and so should Egypt. The question in Ver. 18 takes the place of "Thou art the man!" in Nathan's interpretation of his parable (2 Samuel 12:7), or the mutato nominee de te fabula, narratur of the Roman satirist. Some recent commentaters, however, either like Ewald, taking the Hebrew word for, Assyrian" as describing a particular kind of cedar or fir tree, or, like Comill and amend, adopting a conjectural emendation of the text which actually gives that meaning (Tasshur for Asshur), refer the whole parable primarily to Egypt, and dwell on the fact that the words of Vers. 10, 18 are addressed to the living representative of a great monarchy, and not to a power that has already passed away into the Hades of departed glory. The former view seems to me the more tenable of the two, and I therefore adopt it throughout the chapter. It may be admitted, however, that the inner meaning of the parable at times breaks through the outward imagery, as was indeed to be expected, the prophet seeking to apply his apologue even before he had completed it. The "cedar in Lebanon" has already met us as the symbol of s kingdom, in Ezekiel 17:2. The shadowing shroud may be noted as a specially vivid picture of the peculiar foliage of the cedar rendered with singular felicity. His top was among the thick boughs; better, clouds, as in the margin of the Revised Version. So Keil, Smend, and others (comp. Vers. 10, 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Look at
הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

Assyria,
אַשּׁ֜וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

a cedar
אֶ֣רֶז (’e·rez)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 730: A cedar tree

in Lebanon,
בַּלְּבָנ֗וֹן (bal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3844: Lebanon -- a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

with beautiful
יְפֵ֥ה (yə·p̄êh)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful

branches
עָנָ֛ף (‘ā·nāp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6057: A branch, bough

that shaded
מֵצַ֖ל (mê·ṣal)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6751: To shade, as twilight, an opaque object

the forest.
וְחֹ֥רֶשׁ (wə·ḥō·reš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2793: Horesh -- a forest

It towered
וּגְבַ֣הּ (ū·ḡə·ḇah)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1362: High, proud

on high;
קוֹמָ֑ה (qō·w·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6967: Height

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

was
הָיְתָ֖ה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

among
וּבֵ֣ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

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


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 31:3 Behold the Assyrian was a cedar (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 31:2
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