Ezekiel 17:3
New International Version
Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar,

New Living Translation
Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: “A great eagle with broad wings and long feathers, covered with many-colored plumage, came to Lebanon. He seized the top of a cedar tree

English Standard Version
say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

Berean Standard Bible
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “A great eagle with large wings and long pinions, Full of feathers of various colors, Came to Lebanon And took from the cedar the highest branch.

New American Standard Bible
saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

NASB 1995
saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

NASB 1977
saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and a full plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

Legacy Standard Bible
and you will say, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, and a full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

Amplified Bible
saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “A great eagle (Nebuchadnezzar) with great wings, long pinions and a rich plumage of many colors came to Lebanon (Jerusalem) and took away the top of the cedar (Judah).

Christian Standard Bible
You are to say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: A huge eagle with powerful wings, long feathers, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to say: This is what the Lord GOD says: A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

American Standard Version
and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:

Contemporary English Version
so they will understand what I am saying to them: A large eagle with strong wings and beautiful feathers once flew to Lebanon. It broke the top branch off a cedar tree,

English Revised Version
and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: A large eagle came to Lebanon. It had large wings with long, colorful feathers. It took hold of the top of a cedar tree.

Good News Translation
to let them know what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying to them: There was a giant eagle with beautiful feathers and huge wings, spread wide. He flew to the Lebanon Mountains and broke off the top of a cedar tree,

International Standard Version
Tell them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says, "A massive eagle with gigantic wings, long pinions, and full, multi-colored plumage came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

Majority Standard Bible
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

NET Bible
Say to them: 'This is what the sovereign LORD says: "'A great eagle with broad wings, long feathers, with full plumage which was multi-hued, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

New Heart English Bible
and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "A great eagle with great wings and long feathers, full of feathers, which had various colors, came to Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:

Webster's Bible Translation
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, long-winged, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came to Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

World English Bible
and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “A great eagle with great wings and long feathers, full of feathers which had various colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have said, Thus said Lord YHWH: The great eagle, great-winged, long-pinioned, "" Full of feathers, that has diverse colors, "" Has come to Lebanon, "" And he takes the foliage of the cedar,

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: The great eagle, great-winged, long-pinioned, Full of feathers, that hath diverse colours, Hath come in unto Lebanon, And it taketh the foliage of the cedar,

Smith's Literal Translation
And say, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: The great eagle great of wings, long of the wing-feather, full of feathers, which to him variegation, came to Lebanon, and he will take the foliage of the cedar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say: Thus saith the Lord God: A large eagle with great wings, long-limbed, full of feathers, and of variety, came to Libanus, and took away the marrow of the cedar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and you shall say: Thus says the Lord God: A large eagle, with great wings and elongated pinions, full of feathers with many colors, came to Lebanon. And he took the kernel of the cedar.

New American Bible
Thus says the Lord GOD: The great eagle, with wide wingspan and long feathers, with thick plumage, many-hued, came to Lebanon. He plucked the crest of the cedar,

New Revised Standard Version
Say: Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle, with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to the Lebanon. He took the top of the cedar,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And say, Thus says the LORD God: A great eagle with large wings and long pinions and fully developed claws, and thickly feathered, came to Lebanon and took the choicest branch of the cedar:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say, “Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: a great eagle of great wings and long feathers and full talons and thick feathers came to Lebanon, and he took choice ones of cedar trees
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings And long pinions, Full of feathers, which had divers colours, Came unto Lebanon, And took the top of the cedar;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord; A great eagle with large wings, spreading them out very far, with many claws, which has the design of entering into Libanus - and he took the choice branches of the cedar:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
2“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel 3and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar. 4He plucked off its topmost shoot, carried it to the land of merchants, and planted it in a city of traders.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:20-22
The tree you saw that grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth, / whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— / you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.

Jeremiah 48:40
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab.

Jeremiah 49:22
Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Hosea 8:1
Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Isaiah 5:26-30
He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! / None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap is broken. / Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. ...

Jeremiah 12:9
Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her.

Isaiah 10:14
My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / 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.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Revelation 12:14
But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.


Treasury of Scripture

And say, Thus said the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, long winged, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came to Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

A great.

Ezekiel 17:7,12
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…

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

great wings.

Daniel 2:38
And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Daniel 4:32
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Daniel 7:4
The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

full.

divers colours.

Ezekiel 17:12
Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;

2 Kings 24:10-16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged…

2 Chronicles 36:9,10
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD…

the highest.

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Ezekiel 17
1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine
11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt
22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel














A great eagle
The "great eagle" symbolizes a powerful and majestic entity, often interpreted as representing a mighty king or empire. In the context of Ezekiel, this is commonly understood to refer to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The eagle, a bird of prey, signifies strength, swiftness, and dominance. In Hebrew, the word for eagle is "נֶשֶׁר" (nesher), which is often associated with kingship and divine judgment. The imagery of an eagle is used throughout the Bible to depict God's sovereign power and the execution of His will.

with great wings and long pinions
The description of the eagle having "great wings and long pinions" emphasizes its vast reach and capability. Wings in biblical symbolism often denote protection, speed, and the ability to cover great distances. The "long pinions" suggest endurance and the ability to sustain flight over long periods, indicating the far-reaching influence and control of the Babylonian empire. This imagery serves to remind the Israelites of the formidable power they are up against, yet also of God's ultimate control over all nations.

full of feathers of many colors
The phrase "full of feathers of many colors" suggests diversity and richness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, colorful plumage could symbolize wealth, splendor, and the multifaceted nature of an empire. This could imply the diverse peoples and cultures under Babylon's dominion. The multicolored feathers also reflect the complexity and allure of worldly power, which can be both captivating and deceptive.

came to Lebanon
Lebanon, known for its majestic cedars, represents a place of beauty and strength. In biblical times, Lebanon was famous for its cedar trees, which were highly valued for construction, including the building of Solomon's Temple. The mention of Lebanon here is significant as it symbolizes the land of Israel, particularly the royal house of David. The eagle's coming to Lebanon indicates an invasion or intervention by a foreign power into the affairs of Israel.

and took away the top of the cedar
The "top of the cedar" refers to the highest and most prominent part of the tree, symbolizing the leadership or the king of Israel. In this context, it likely refers to King Jehoiachin, who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. The act of taking away the top signifies the removal of the ruling authority and the disruption of the Davidic line. This serves as a warning of the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and a reminder of God's sovereignty in raising and deposing kings according to His divine plan.

(3) A great eagle with great wings.--In the original "the great eagle." This is explained in Ezekiel 17:12 of "the king of Babylon." Nebuchadnezzar is compared to an eagle also in Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22; and Cyrus to a bird of prey in Isaiah 46:11. He has great and long wings, because he has already flown victoriously over wide-spread lands; and he is "full of feathers which had divers colours," because he had embraced in his empire a variety of nations differing in languages, manners, and customs.

Came unto Lebanon.--Jerusalem is called Lebanon, as in Jeremiah 22:23; because Lebanon is the home of the cedar, and the royal palace in Jerusalem was so rich in cedar as to be called "the house of the forest of Lebanon" (1Kings 7:2). . . .

Verse 3. - The eagle with great wings and long pinions (Revised Version) probably the golden eagle, the largest species of the genus - stands for Nebuchadnezzar, as it does in Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22. In Isaiah 46:11 the "ravenous bird" represents Cyrus. Possibly the eagle head of the Assyrian god Nisroch (2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38) may have impressed the symbolism on Ezekiel's mind. A doubtful etymology gives "the great eagle" as the meaning of Nisroch. The divers colours indicate the variety of the nations under the king's sway (Daniel 3:4: 4:1). If the cedar was chosen to t,e the symbol of the monarchy of Judah, then it followed that Lebanon, as the special home of the cedar, should take its place in the parable. Possibly the fact that one of the stateliest palaces of Solomon was known as the "house of the forest of Lebanon" (1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:17, 21) may have made the symbolism specially suggestive. The word for highest branch is peculiar to Ezekiel (here and in ver. 22). The branch so carried off was carried into "a land of traffick" (Hebrew, LXX., and Vulgate, "a land of Canaan," the word being generalized in its meaning, as in Ezekiel 16:29), i.e. to Babylon, as pre-eminently the merchant city of the time. This, of course, refers to Nebuchadnezzar's deportation of Jeconiah and the more eminent citizens of Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:8-15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and tell them that
וְאָמַרְתָּ֞ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

this is what
כֹּה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says:
אָמַ֣ר ׀ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘A great
הַגָּדוֹל֙ (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

eagle
הַנֶּ֤שֶׁר (han·ne·šer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404: The eagle

with great
גְּד֤וֹל (gə·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

wings
הַכְּנָפַ֙יִם֙ (hak·kə·nā·p̄a·yim)
Article | Noun - fd
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

and long
אֶ֣רֶךְ (’e·reḵ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 750: Long

pinions,
הָאֵ֔בֶר (hā·’ê·ḇer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 83: A pinion

full
מָלֵא֙ (mā·lê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4392: Full, filling, fulness, fully

of feathers
הַנּוֹצָ֔ה (han·nō·w·ṣāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5133: A pinion, plumage

of many colors,
הָֽרִקְמָ֑ה (hā·riq·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7553: Variegation of color, embroidery

came
בָּ֚א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Lebanon
הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן (hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3844: Lebanon -- a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

and took away
וַיִּקַּ֖ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the top
צַמֶּ֥רֶת (ṣam·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6788: Fleeciness, foliage

of the cedar.
הָאָֽרֶז׃ (hā·’ā·rez)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 730: A cedar tree


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:3 And say Thus says the Lord Yahweh: (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:2
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