And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

EZEKIEL 17:24KJV
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Ezekiel 17:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 17:24 mean?

Ezekiel 17:24 says that everyone will recognize that the LORD has the power to humble those who are exalted and to lift up those who are low, to wither what is flourishing and to make what is withered thrive. The verse emphasizes that the LORD alone has spoken these things and has brought them to pass.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using the image of trees in a field to represent nations or rulers. The context is a message about God’s control over the fate of kingdoms: He can bring down the powerful ("high tree") and raise up the humble ("low tree"). The verse closes a parable, showing that God’s actions are purposeful and unmistakable.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 17:24

  • "tree" (עֵץ, ‘ets): Used several times in this verse, this word stands for more than just literal trees—it often symbolizes people, leaders, or nations in the Hebrew Bible. Here, it highlights how God deals with both the mighty and the weak.
  • "exalted" (גָּבַהּ, gavah): This word means "to be high" or "lifted up," and is used for the "high tree." It points to those in positions of pride or power, whom God is able to humble.
  • "flourish" (פָּרָה, parah): This word means "to bear fruit" or "to flourish." When God says He makes the dry tree flourish, it shows His ability to bring life and success where there was none before.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that these actions are not random events but the deliberate work of Israel’s covenant God.

Why Ezekiel 17:24 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that God—not human rulers or circumstances—ultimately decides who rises and who falls among nations and leaders.
  • The imagery of trees helps the reader see how God’s power can reverse fortunes, challenging the idea that the strong will always remain strong or the weak always remain weak.
  • Ezekiel 17:24 wraps up a parable about Israel’s kings and foreign alliances, reminding the people that their hope should rest in God’s authority, not in political maneuvering.

Where else these words appear

“green” Hebrew H3892 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
  • Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
  • Judges 16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green withs which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

“dry” Hebrew H3002 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
  • Job 13:25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
  • Ezekiel 37:2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

“low” Hebrew H8217 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
  • Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
  • 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.

“down” Hebrew H8213 · used in 27 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
  • Proverbs 25:7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
  • Isaiah 25:11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.