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:

EZEKIEL 17:3KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 17:3 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 17:3 mean?

Ezekiel 17:3 uses the image of a great eagle with impressive wings and colorful feathers coming to Lebanon and taking the highest branch of a cedar tree. This verse introduces a symbolic story, where the eagle represents a powerful figure or nation, and the cedar’s top branch stands for something valuable or important being taken away.

In this setting, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Israel, using a riddle or parable to describe real political events in a hidden way. The “great eagle” is often understood as Babylon, and the “cedar” points to the royal family of Judah. This verse sets up a lesson about power, pride, and God’s control over nations.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 17:3

  • “eagle” (נֶשֶׁר, nesher): This word can mean eagle or large bird of prey. The eagle’s strength and majesty make it a fitting symbol for a dominant empire.
  • “Lebanon” (לְבָנוֹן, Levanon): While Lebanon is a real place, here it likely refers to the land of Israel, known for its cedar trees, which were symbols of strength and royalty.
  • “branch” (צַעֲפָה, tza‘afah): This word means a topmost shoot or twig, highlighting that what is taken is the most important or prized part of the tree, symbolizing the king or royal heir.

Why Ezekiel 17:3 matters

  • This verse helps readers recognize that Ezekiel is using a parable, not describing a literal event, which is important for understanding the rest of the chapter.
  • The details about the eagle’s wings and feathers emphasize the power and reach of the empire involved, showing that the action is not random but purposeful and significant.
  • By connecting the cedar’s top branch to the royal family, Ezekiel sets up a warning about the fate of Judah’s leaders and the consequences of their political choices.

Where else these words appear

“longwinged” Hebrew H83 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
  • Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

“feathers” Hebrew H5133 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
  • Job 39:13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
  • Ezekiel 17:7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

“branch” Hebrew H6788 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezekiel 17:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
  • Ezekiel 31:3 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.
  • Ezekiel 31:10 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;

“colours” Hebrew H7553 · used in 11 verses

  • Judges 5:30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
  • Ezekiel 16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
  • Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.