Eze 17:5-6, 31:3 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 5. The seed of the land ] Zedekiah, brother of Jehoiachin. Planted it in a fruitful field ] Made him king of Judea in place of his brother. Placed it by great waters ] Put him under the protection of Babylon, situated on the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates . And set it as a willow tree ] Made him dependent on this city of great waters, as the willow is on humidity.

‏ Ezekiel 17:5-6

Verse 5. The seed of the land] Zedekiah, brother of Jehoiachin.

Planted it in a fruitful field] Made him king of Judea in place of his brother.

Placed it by great waters] Put him under the protection of Babylon, situated on the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates.

And set it as a willow tree] Made him dependent on this city of great waters, as the willow is on humidity.

Verse 6. A spreading vine of low stature] The Jewish state having then no height of dominion, it must abide under the wings or branches of the Chaldean king.

Whose branches turned toward him, and the roots-under him] Zedekiah was wholly dependent on Nebuchadnezzar, both for his elevation to the throne, and his support on it.

‏ Ezekiel 31:3

Verse 3. Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar] Why is the Assyrian introduced here, when the whole chapter concerns Egypt? Bp. Lowth has shown that ashshur erez should be translated the tall cedar, the very stately cedar; hence there is reference to his lofty top; and all the following description belongs to Egypt, not to Assyria. But see on Eze 31:11.