Ezekiel 17:7
New International Version
“’But there was another great eagle with powerful wings and full plumage. The vine now sent out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water.

New Living Translation
But then another great eagle came with broad wings and full plumage. So the vine now sent its roots and branches toward him for water,

English Standard Version
“And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.

Berean Standard Bible
But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

Berean Literal Bible
And there was one great eagle, great of wings and abundant of feathers, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and its branches it stretched out toward him, to water it from the beds of its planting.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, And stretched its branches toward him, From the garden terrace where it had been planted, That he might water it.

New American Standard Bible
“But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine turned its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was planted, so that he might water it.

NASB 1995
“But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was planted, that he might water it.

NASB 1977
“But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him from the beds where it was planted, that he might water it.

Legacy Standard Bible
“But there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and sent out its foliage toward him from the beds where it was planted, that he might water it.

Amplified Bible
“There was [also] another great eagle with great wings and many feathers; and behold, this vine (Zedekiah) bent its roots toward him and sent out its branches toward him, away from the beds where it was planted, for him to water.

Berean Annotated Bible
But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘But there was another huge eagle with powerful wings and thick plumage. And this vine bent its roots toward him! It stretched out its branches to him from the plot where it was planted, so that he might water it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But there was another great eagle with great wings and thick plumage. And this vine bent its roots toward him! It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

American Standard Version
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

Contemporary English Version
There was another eagle with strong wings and thick feathers. The roots and branches of the grapevine soon turned toward this eagle, hoping it would bring water for the soil.

English Revised Version
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'There was another large eagle with large wings and many feathers. Now, the vine stretched its roots toward this eagle and sent its branches toward the eagle so that the eagle could water it. The vine turned away from the garden where it was planted.

Good News Translation
"There was another giant eagle with huge wings and thick plumage. And now the vine sent its roots toward him and turned its leaves toward him, in the hope that he would give it more water than there was in the garden where it was growing.

International Standard Version
"'"All of a sudden, there was another eagle with gigantic wings and thick plumage. The vine stretched its roots hungrily toward him and spread its branches out to him in order to be watered on the terraces where it was planted.

NET Bible
"'There was another great eagle with broad wings and thick plumage. Now this vine twisted its roots toward him and sent its branches toward him to be watered from the soil where it was planted.

New Heart English Bible
'"There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and look, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

Webster's Bible Translation
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and behold, this vine did bend her roots towards him, and shot forth her branches towards him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

World English Bible
“‘“There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. Behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot out its branches toward him, from the ground where it was planted, that he might water it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there is another great eagle, "" Great-winged, and abounding with feathers, "" And behold, this vine has bent its roots toward him, "" And it has sent out its thin shoots toward him, "" To water it from the furrows of its planting,

Berean Literal Bible
And there was one great eagle, great of wings and abundant of feathers, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and its branches it stretched out toward him, to water it from the beds of its planting.

Young's Literal Translation
And there is another great eagle, Great-winged, and abounding with feathers, And lo, this vine hath bent its roots toward him, And its thin shoots it hath sent out toward him, To water it from the furrows of its planting,

Smith's Literal Translation
And there will be one great eagle, great of wings, and many feathers: and behold, this vine turned her roots to him, and sent forth her branches to him, to water it from the ascendings of its planting.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was another large eagle, with great wings, and many feathers: and behold this vine, bending as it were her roots towards him, stretched forth her branches to him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there was another large eagle, with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine seemed to bend its roots towards him, extending its branches toward him, so that he might irrigate it from the garden of its germination.

New American Bible
Then another great eagle appeared, with wide wingspan, rich in plumage, And see! This vine bent its roots to him, sent out branches for him to water. From the bed where it was planted,

New Revised Standard Version
There was another great eagle, with great wings and much plumage. And see! This vine stretched out its roots toward him; it shot out its branches toward him, so that he might water it. From the bed where it was planted
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And, behold, there was also another great eagle with large wings and many claws: and, this vine bent its roots toward him, and shot forth its tendrils toward him, that he might water the soil where it was planted.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And behold, another great eagle whose wings were greater and with more and finer talons, and it bent its roots toward him and it cast its shoots toward him, that he would water it from the soil of its planting
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There was also another great eagle with great wings And many feathers; And, behold, this vine did bend Its roots toward him, And shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, That he might water it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was another great eagle, with great wings and many claws: and, behold, this vine bent itself round toward him, and her roots were turned towards him, and she sent forth her branches towards him, that he might water her together with the growth of her plantation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
6It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots. 7But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it. 8It had been planted in good soil by abundant waters in order to yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’…

Cross References
But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers.

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,

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

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.
And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him.

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 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

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.
It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed,

Psalm 80:8-11
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. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. …

Ezekiel 31:3-7
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. …

Jeremiah 2:21
I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?
so that he might water it.

Isaiah 27:3
I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it;

Jeremiah 2:18
Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Isaiah 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
Jeremiah 37:5
Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:4
But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

another.

Ezekiel 17:15
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

2 Kings 24:20
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 26:13
And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

did bend.

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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












But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers.
This phrase introduces a second eagle, symbolizing a powerful nation or ruler. In the context of Ezekiel 17, the first eagle represents Babylon, and this second eagle is often interpreted as Egypt. The imagery of "great wings and many feathers" suggests strength and influence, characteristics of Egypt during this period. Historically, Egypt was a significant power and often seen as a potential ally against Babylonian dominance. This reflects the political maneuvering of Judah's leaders, who sought alliances to resist Babylon.

And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him.
The "vine" represents the kingdom of Judah, specifically its leadership under King Zedekiah. The act of bending its roots toward the second eagle signifies Judah's attempt to seek support and protection from Egypt. This action is a metaphor for political allegiance and reliance. Biblically, this reflects Judah's unfaithfulness to God's covenant, as they were instructed to submit to Babylon as part of God's judgment. The bending of roots indicates a turning away from God's directive.

It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed,
The stretching of branches symbolizes Judah's efforts to establish a strong alliance with Egypt. The "planting bed" refers to the land of Judah, where God had placed them. This imagery suggests a deliberate and active pursuit of Egyptian support, contrary to God's will. Theologically, this represents a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and a reliance on human power. This act of reaching out to Egypt is seen as a breach of faithfulness to God, who had planted them in their land with a purpose.

so that he might water it.
The desire for the second eagle to "water" the vine indicates Judah's hope for sustenance and protection from Egypt. Watering is a metaphor for provision and support, which Judah sought from Egypt instead of relying on God. This reflects a common biblical theme where Israel often turned to foreign powers for help rather than trusting in God's provision. Historically, this alliance with Egypt ultimately failed, as Egypt could not deliver Judah from Babylonian conquest. This serves as a prophetic warning about the futility of relying on human alliances over divine guidance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is the author of the book and the one delivering God's message through parables and visions.

2. The Great Eagle
Symbolic representation of a powerful nation or king. In the context of Ezekiel 17, the first eagle represents Babylon, and the second eagle represents Egypt.

3. The Vine
Represents the kingdom of Judah, specifically its leadership, which sought alliances with foreign powers instead of relying on God.

4. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took its people into exile. It is symbolized by the first great eagle in the parable.

5. Egypt
The nation that Judah turned to for help against Babylon, symbolized by the second great eagle.
Teaching Points
Trust in God, Not in Man
The vine's turning towards the second eagle represents misplaced trust. Believers are reminded to place their trust in God rather than in human alliances or solutions.

Consequences of Disobedience
Judah's actions led to further judgment. This serves as a warning that disobedience and reliance on worldly powers can lead to negative consequences.

God's Sovereignty
Despite Judah's attempts to secure its future through alliances, God's sovereign plan prevails. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God's purposes will ultimately be fulfilled.

Spiritual Adultery
Seeking help from Egypt was akin to spiritual adultery for Judah. Christians are encouraged to remain faithful to God and avoid idolatry in any form.

Repentance and Restoration
While the parable warns of judgment, it also implies the possibility of repentance and restoration. Believers are encouraged to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 17:7?

2. How does Ezekiel 17:7 illustrate the consequences of misplaced trust in alliances?

3. What does the "great eagle" symbolize in Ezekiel 17:7?

4. How can we apply Ezekiel 17:7 to modern-day political or personal alliances?

5. What other scriptures warn against relying on foreign powers instead of God?

6. How can we ensure our trust remains in God rather than worldly entities?

7. What is the significance of the second eagle in Ezekiel 17:7?

8. How does Ezekiel 17:7 relate to God's sovereignty over nations?

9. What historical events does Ezekiel 17:7 symbolize?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 17?

11. What riddles are found in the Bible?

12. How can Ezekiel 17:6's description of the vine thriving and then withering be verified historically or archaeologically, if at all?

13. Does Ezekiel 17:12-15's account of Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon conflict with the historical timeline recorded in 2 Kings 24-25?

14. In Ezekiel 17:3-4, how can the imagery of a great eagle plucking off the top of a cedar be reconciled with actual historical events or natural realities?
What Does Ezekiel 17:7 Mean
Another great eagle

"But there was another great eagle…"

• The first eagle of the parable (Ezekiel 17:3) pictured Babylon’s king; this “another” eagle points to Egypt’s Pharaoh, a second powerful empire recognizable to Judah (Jeremiah 37:5–7).

• Scripture shows that earthly powers rise by God’s allowance (Romans 13:1), yet reliance on them instead of the Lord leads to disappointment (Isaiah 30:1–3).

• The appearance of a second eagle signals Judah’s temptation to shift allegiance rather than repent and trust God.


With great wings and many feathers

"…with great wings and many feathers."

• The vivid description underlines Egypt’s wide reach and abundant resources—just as wings spread far and feathers multiply (Isaiah 31:1; Jeremiah 46:17).

• Judah judged by sight saw Egypt’s military breadth and economic strength and imagined safety there.

• God’s word reminds us that apparent strength cannot replace covenant faithfulness (Psalm 20:7).


Behold, this vine bent its roots toward him

"…And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him."

• The vine—King Zedekiah and the people of Judah (Ezekiel 17:6, 15)—literally turns its roots, the very source of life, toward Egypt.

• This bending illustrates a deliberate, willful change of loyalty (2 Chronicles 36:13).

• Instead of sending roots deeper into the soil God provided, Judah twists toward human schemes (Hosea 10:13).


It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed

"…It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed…"

• God had “planted” Judah securely in the land after Babylon’s first conquest (Ezekiel 17:5). From that very bed the nation now extends itself toward Egypt (Isaiah 30:2).

• Branches symbolize public policy and visible alliances. The move betrays the covenant with Babylon that God had sanctioned (Ezekiel 17:13–14) and displays outward rebellion against the Lord (Hosea 7:11).

• The more Judah stretches horizontally to Egypt, the less it stretches vertically to God.


So that he might water it

"…so that he might water it."

• Judah seeks Egypt’s military aid, hoping Pharaoh will “water” (sustain) the kingdom during Babylonian pressure (Ezekiel 17:15).

• This portrays a counterfeit provision: only God promises living water (Jeremiah 2:13; Psalm 1:3).

• History records that Egypt’s assistance proved futile; Babylon returned, besieged Jerusalem, and carried Judah away (2 Kings 25:1–7). God’s prophecy stood, underscoring that earthly help cannot overturn divine decree.


summary

Ezekiel 17:7 pictures Judah’s tragic turn from the Lord: attracted by another “eagle”—Egypt—the nation redirects its roots and branches, seeking life from a source God never blessed. The verse warns that alliances forged in unbelief cannot protect, and that trusting worldly power over God’s covenant brings inevitable judgment. Genuine security flows from remaining planted where God sets us and drawing nourishment from Him alone.

(7) Another great eagle.--This is explained in Ezekiel 17:15 of Pharaoh. He was also powerful, ruling a populous land, but is not described as with the variegated feathers of Ezekiel 17:3, because he did not rule over the same diversity of people with Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah, while owing his position to Nebuchadnezzar, treacherously sought the aid of Egypt, as mentioned in Ezekiel 17:15, and more fully in the historical passages referred to in the note at the beginning of this chapter. A chief task of the prophet Jeremiah was to endeavour to dissuade Zedekiah from this Egyptian alliance.

Verse 7. - The other great eagle is, of course, Egypt, then under Apries, or Pharaoh-Hophra (Jeremiah 44:30). We note the absence of the "long pinions" and the "many colours" of the first eagle. Egypt was not so strong, nor did her sway extend over so great a variety of nations as Babylon. To that eagle the vine bent its roots, i.e., as in ver. 15, Zedekiah courted the alliance of Pharaoh (Apries), and trusted in his chariots, he was to water the vine, which so turned to him from the beds of her plantation (Revised Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But there was
וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

another
אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

great
גָּד֔וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

eagle
נֶֽשֶׁר־ (ne·šer-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404: The eagle

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

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

and many
וְרַב־ (wə·raḇ-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

feathers.
נוֹצָ֑ה (nō·w·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5133: A pinion, plumage

And behold,
וְהִנֵּה֩ (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

this
הַזֹּ֜את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

vine
הַגֶּ֨פֶן (hag·ge·p̄en)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1612: A vine, the grape

bent
כָּֽפְנָ֧ה (kā·p̄ə·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3719: To be hungry, to hunger

its roots
שָׁרֳשֶׁ֣יהָ (šā·ro·še·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8328: A root

toward him.
עָלָ֗יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

It stretched out
שִׁלְחָה־ (šil·ḥāh-)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

its branches
וְדָֽלִיּוֹתָיו֙ (wə·ḏā·lî·yō·w·ṯāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1808: Something dangling, a bough

to him
לּ֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

from its planting
מַטָּעָֽהּ׃ (maṭ·ṭā·‘āh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4302: Something planted, the place, the thing, the act, planting

bed,
מֵעֲרֻג֖וֹת (mê·‘ă·ru·ḡō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6170: Something piled up, raised by mental aspiration), a paterre

so that he might water it.
לְהַשְׁק֣וֹת (lə·haš·qō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:7 There was also another great eagle (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:6
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