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.

EZEKIEL 17:7KJV
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Ezekiel 17:7 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 17:7 mean?

Ezekiel 17:7 describes a vine turning its roots and branches toward another great eagle, hoping that this eagle will water it and help it grow. The verse uses the image of a vine seeking help from a different eagle, showing a shift in loyalty or dependence.

In this part of Ezekiel, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel using a parable. The "vine" represents the kingdom of Judah, and the "great eagle" is a symbol for a powerful foreign ruler. This verse shows Judah looking for support from a new power instead of relying on the first eagle, which in the story refers to Babylon. The image sets up a warning about seeking alliances outside of God's guidance.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 17:7

  • "another" (אַחַת, 'achat): This word highlights that the second eagle is different from the first, emphasizing a change in allegiance or hope for help.
  • "bend" (כָּפַף, kafaf): The vine "bends" its roots, showing an active turning or stretching out, not just a passive growth. This stresses the intention and effort behind seeking the new eagle.
  • "water" (שָׁקָה, shaqah): The vine wants the new eagle to "water" it, pointing to a desire for care, support, or sustenance from this new source.

Why Ezekiel 17:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Judah was not just passively influenced but actively sought help from another nation, underlining a deliberate choice to shift alliances.
  • The imagery of bending roots and shooting branches makes the reader see how much effort Judah put into seeking this new relationship, rather than simply being swept along by events.
  • Understanding the symbols in this verse helps make sense of the whole parable in Ezekiel 17, which is about misplaced trust and the consequences of turning away from previous commitments.

Where else these words appear

“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 17:3 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:

“furrows” Hebrew H6170 · used in 4 verses

  • Song of Solomon 5:13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
  • Song of Solomon 6:2 My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
  • Ezekiel 17:10 Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

“plantation” Hebrew H4302 · used in 6 verses

  • Isaiah 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
  • Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
  • Ezekiel 34:29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

“branches” Hebrew H1808 · used in 8 verses

  • Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
  • Ezekiel 17:23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
  • Ezekiel 31:7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.