Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. New Living Translation It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. English Standard Version On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. Berean Standard Bible I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Berean Literal Bible On a mountain in the height of Israel I will plant it, and it will bear boughs and it will yield fruit, and it will be majestic as a cedar; and will dwell under it every bird of every wing; in the shade of its branches they will dwell. King James Bible 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. New King James Version On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell. New American Standard Bible On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, so that it may bring forth branches and bear fruit, and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches. NASB 1995 “On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches. NASB 1977 “On the high mountain of Israel I shall plant it, that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit, and become a stately cedar. And birds of every kind will nest under it; they will nest in the shade of its branches. Legacy Standard Bible On the high mountain of Israel I will plant it, that it may lift up boughs and yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. And birds of every kind will dwell under it; they will dwell in the shade of its branches. Amplified Bible I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel, that it may grow boughs and bear fruit and be a noble and stately cedar. And birds of every kind will live under it; they will nest [securely] in the shade of its branches. Berean Annotated Bible I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel (he wrestles with God) so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Christian Standard Bible I will plant it on Israel’s high mountain so that it may bear branches, produce fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Holman Christian Standard Bible I will plant it on Israel’s high mountain so that it may bear branches, produce fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. American Standard Version 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 birds of every wing; in the shade of the branches thereof shall they dwell. Contemporary English Version where it will grow strong branches and produce large fruit. All kinds of birds will find shelter under the tree, and they will rest in the shade of its branches. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation I will plant it on a high mountain in Israel. It will grow branches and produce fruit. It will become a magnificent cedar tree. Every kind of bird will nest in it and find a home in the shelter of its branches. Good News Translation on Israel's highest mountain. It will grow branches and bear seed and become a magnificent cedar. Birds of every kind will live there and find shelter in its shade. International Standard Version I'll transplant it on Israel's land, and it will grow branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. All sorts of birds will rest under it, and they'll settle down in the shade of its branches. NET Bible I will plant it on a high mountain of Israel, and it will raise branches and produce fruit and become a beautiful cedar. Every bird will live under it; Every winged creature will live in the shade of its branches. New Heart English Bible 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 birds of every wing; in the shade of its branches shall they dwell. Webster's Bible Translation In the mountain of the hight 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 shade of its branches shall they dwell. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. World English Bible I will plant it in the mountain of the height of Israel; and it will produce boughs, and bear fruit, and be a good cedar. Birds of every kind will dwell in the shade of its branches. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn a mountain—the high place of Israel, I plant it, "" And it has borne boughs, and yielded fruit, "" And become a good cedar, "" And every bird of every [kind of] wing has dwelt under it, "" They dwell in the shade of its thin shoots. Berean Literal Bible On a mountain in the height of Israel I will plant it, and it will bear boughs and it will yield fruit, and it will be majestic as a cedar; and will dwell under it every bird of every wing; in the shade of its branches they will dwell. Young's Literal Translation In a mountain -- the high place of Israel, I plant it, And it hath borne boughs, and yielded fruit, And become a goodly cedar, And dwelt under it have all birds of every wing, In the shade of its thin shoots they dwell. Smith's Literal Translation In the mountain of the height of Israel I will plant it: and it bare a branch, and it made fruit, and it was for a great cedar: and there dwelt under it all fowls of every wing; in the shadow of its branches shall they dwell. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOn the high mountains of Israel will I plant it, and it shall shoot forth into branches, and shall bear fruit, and it shall become a great cedar: and all birds shall dwell under it, and every fowl shall make its nest under the shadow of the branches thereof. Catholic Public Domain Version On the sublime mountains of Israel, I will plant it. And it shall spring forth in buds and bear fruit, and it shall be a great cedar. And all the birds will live under it, and every bird will make its nest under the shadow of its branches. New American Bible On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Every small bird will nest under it, all kinds of winged birds will dwell in the shade of its branches. New Revised Standard Version On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOn the mountains 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 its branches shall they rest. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In the mountains of Israel I shall plant it, and it shall produce leaves, and it shall make fruit and it will be a glorious cedar, and every bird of wings shall dwell in it, and in the shadow of its branches they shall dwell OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917in the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a stately cedar; and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing, in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. Brenton Septuagint Translation and I will hang it on a lofty mountain of Israel: yea, I will plant it, and it shall put forth shoots, and shall bear fruit, and it shall be a great cedar: and every bird shall rest beneath it, even every fowl shall rest under its shadow: its branches shall be restored. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Parable Explained…22This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. 24Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’ ”… Cross References I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel Ezekiel 36:8-10 But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and bear fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home. / For behold, I am on your side; I will turn toward you, and you will be tilled and sown. / I will multiply the people upon you—the house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. Jeremiah 31:5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria; the farmers will plant and enjoy the fruit. Psalm 80:8-9 You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. so that it will bear branches; Ezekiel 31:7 It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its limbs, for its roots extended to abundant waters. Psalm 80:10-11 The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. / It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River. Job 14:9 at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling. it will yield fruit Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Jeremiah 17:8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. Hosea 14:8 O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me. and become a majestic cedar. Psalm 92:12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 104:16 The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted, 1 Kings 4:33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. Birds of every kind will nest under it, Ezekiel 31:6 All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade. Matthew 13:32 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.” Mark 4:32 But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.” taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Ezekiel 31:12 Foreigners, the most ruthless of the nations, cut it down and left it. Its branches have fallen on the mountains and in every valley; its boughs lay broken in all the earth’s ravines. And all the peoples of the earth left its shade and abandoned it. Treasury of Scripture 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. and it Psalm 92:12,13 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon… Isaiah 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. under 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. Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Psalm 22:27-30 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee… Jump to Previous Bear Birds Boughs Branches Cedar Dwell Forth Fowl Fruit Goodly Height High Hight Israel Mountain Plant Shade Shadow Stately Thereof WingJump to Next Bear Birds Boughs Branches Cedar Dwell Forth Fowl Fruit Goodly Height High Hight Israel Mountain Plant Shade Shadow Stately Thereof WingEzekiel 17 1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt 22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel This phrase signifies God's sovereign action and intention to establish something significant in Israel. The "mountain heights" often symbolize places of divine revelation and authority, such as Mount Sinai or Mount Zion. In biblical prophecy, mountains can represent kingdoms or significant spiritual truths. The planting indicates a deliberate act of God to restore and establish His people, reminiscent of the promises of restoration found in Isaiah 2:2-3 and Micah 4:1-2. This imagery also foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who would be established in Israel as a spiritual leader and king. so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages through visions and symbolic acts. 2. Israel The nation chosen by God, often symbolized as a vineyard or tree in prophetic literature. Here, it represents the place where God will establish His kingdom. 3. Mountain Height of Israel Symbolic of a place of prominence and divine favor, often associated with Jerusalem or Zion, where God’s presence is manifest. 4. Majestic Cedar Represents the kingdom of God, strong and enduring, providing shelter and sustenance. 5. Birds of Every Kind Symbolize the nations and peoples of the world who will find refuge and blessing in God's kingdom. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PlanGod is in control and has a plan for His people. The planting of the cedar on the mountain height signifies His intention to establish a kingdom that will endure and bless all nations. Inclusivity of God's Kingdom The imagery of birds of every kind nesting in the cedar's branches highlights the inclusivity of God's kingdom, welcoming people from all nations and backgrounds. Fruitfulness and Growth Just as the cedar is meant to bear branches and produce fruit, believers are called to be fruitful in their faith, growing in Christ and impacting the world around them. Refuge and Shelter in God The cedar provides shelter, symbolizing the protection and refuge found in God. Believers can find peace and security under His care. Hope and Restoration For the exiled Israelites, this prophecy offered hope of restoration and a future where God's kingdom would be established and flourish. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 17:23?2. How does Ezekiel 17:23 illustrate God's sovereignty in establishing His kingdom? 3. What does the "lofty mountain" symbolize in Ezekiel 17:23? 4. How does Ezekiel 17:23 connect to the prophecy of Jesus as the Messiah? 5. In what ways can we "bear fruit" as described in Ezekiel 17:23? 6. How can we apply the imagery of "birds of every kind" to church unity? 7. What does Ezekiel 17:23 symbolize in the context of God's promise to Israel? 8. How does Ezekiel 17:23 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty over nations? 9. What is the significance of the "lofty cedar" in Ezekiel 17:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 17? 11. What do the cedars of Lebanon symbolize in the Bible? 12. What explains inconsistencies between the Temple vision in Ezekiel 40 and other biblical Temple descriptions, such as in 1 Kings 6-7? 13. Why does the prophecy in Ezekiel 17:22–23 about planting a tender twig on a “high and lofty mountain” seem scientifically implausible, given real plant growth conditions? 14. If Ezekiel 48 is meant to be literal, how can the scientific and logistical challenges of reconstructing such a layout be explained? What Does Ezekiel 17:23 Mean I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel• The Lord Himself is the planter, underscoring His direct, sovereign action (Ezekiel 17:22). • “Mountain heights of Israel” points to Jerusalem/Zion—the literal, future center of Messiah’s reign (Isaiah 2:2–3; Micah 4:1). • God reverses the exile imagery by rooting His kingdom in the very land from which Judah was uprooted (Ezekiel 20:40). • The picture anticipates Christ’s millennial throne in earthly Israel, not merely a vague spiritual ideal (Luke 1:32–33; Acts 1:6–7). so that it will bear branches • Purpose statement: the planting is meant to produce visible growth and extension. • In prophetic context, the “sprig” (v. 22) is the Messiah; the “branches” are the people and institutions that spring from Him (Isaiah 11:1). • • Wide-spreading influence: “Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6). • Ongoing vitality: “If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar • Fruitfulness shows inward life; cedar-like majesty shows outward strength and permanence. • The cedar, tallest tree in the region, symbolizes an unrivaled, enduring kingdom (Psalm 92:12; Daniel 4:10–12—positive counterpoint). • Messiah’s rule will be both productive (“yield fruit,” Psalm 72:16) and glorious (“majestic cedar,” Revelation 19:15–16). Birds of every kind will nest under it • “Every kind” widens the promise beyond ethnic Israel to include the nations (Isaiah 56:6–8; Romans 15:12). • Jesus alludes to this verse in the parable of the mustard seed—kingdom growth welcoming “the birds of the air” (Matthew 13:31–32). • The prophecy foresees a literal, international population finding residence and acceptance within Messiah’s realm (Ezekiel 31:6 serves as a descriptive parallel). taking shelter in the shade of its branches • Shade conveys protection, rest, and covenant security (Psalm 91:1; Isaiah 4:6). • No threat can penetrate the cover provided by the King of kings (Revelation 21:24–27). • Hosea 14:7 echoes the same promise: “Men will again dwell in his shade and flourish like the grain.” The final kingdom offers both safety and flourishing. summary Ezekiel 17:23 promises that God will personally establish Messiah in literal Zion, causing His kingdom to spread, flourish, and tower in splendor. Its growth will be visible, fruitful, and welcoming, extending refuge to Israel and every nation alike. The verse assures believers that the coming reign of Christ will be rooted in God’s unbreakable plan, rich in provision, and broad enough to shelter all who come to Him. (23) In the mountain of the height of Israel, i.e., Mount Zion, called in the parallel passage (Ezekiel 20:40) "mine holy mountain." Similar prophecies are also to be found in Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3; Psalm 2:6. No point is made more clear in the prophecies of the Christian dispensation than that it is to have its roots in the Jewish, that the "law shall go forth from Zion," and that the new covenant shall yet be a covenant with God's people of old. This mountain is to be understood as the representative of the centre and seat of the kingdom of Israel, and not to be confined too literally to the actual hill of Zion itself.Be a goodly cedar.--Not like the vine of low stature; this shall grow into a strong and great tree, under whose shadow all the inhabitants of the earth shall find sustenance and protection. A similar figure is used by the contemporary prophet Daniel (Daniel 4:20-21), and by our Lord Himself in the parable (Matthew 13:32). The universality of the blessings of the Christian dispensation, in contrast with the narrowness of the Jewish, is one of its features most frequently dwelt upon both in prophecy and in the New Testament, and shall still enter into the burden of the songs of the redeemed (Revelation 5:9). The last clause of the verse repeats and emphasises the permanence of the connection of the believer with Christ. . . . Hebrew I will plant itאֶשְׁתֳּלֶ֔נּוּ (’eš·to·len·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 8362: To transplant on the mountain בְּהַ֨ר (bə·har) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country heights מְר֤וֹם (mə·rō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4791: Altitude of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc so that it will bear וְנָשָׂ֤א (wə·nā·śā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take branches; עָנָף֙ (‘ā·nāp̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6057: A branch, bough it will yield וְעָ֣שָׂה (wə·‘ā·śāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make fruit פֶ֔רִי (p̄e·rî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6529: Fruit and become וְהָיָ֖ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a majestic אַדִּ֑יר (’ad·dîr) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 117: Wide, large, powerful cedar. לְאֶ֣רֶז (lə·’e·rez) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 730: A cedar tree Birds צִפּ֣וֹר (ṣip·pō·wr) Noun - common singular Strong's 6833: A little bird of every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every kind כָּנָ֔ף (kā·nāp̄) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle will nest וְשָׁכְנ֣וּ (wə·šā·ḵə·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell under it, תַחְתָּ֗יו (ṯaḥ·tāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of taking shelter תִּשְׁכֹּֽנָּה׃ (tiš·kōn·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell in the shade בְּצֵ֥ל (bə·ṣêl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6738: A shadow of its branches. דָּלִיּוֹתָ֖יו (dā·lî·yō·w·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1808: Something dangling, a bough Links Ezekiel 17:23 NIVEzekiel 17:23 NLT Ezekiel 17:23 ESV Ezekiel 17:23 NASB Ezekiel 17:23 KJV Ezekiel 17:23 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 17:23 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 17:23 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 17:23 French Bible Ezekiel 17:23 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:23 In the mountain of the height (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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