1Under the parable of two eagles and a vine, 11is shewed God's judgment upon Zedekiah for revolting from Babylon to Egypt. 22A promise of Christ's kingdom.
1AND the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2Son of man, put forth a 1riddle, and speak a 2parable 3unto the house of Israel;
1 See Judges 14 on verse 12.
2 Or, similitude, that is, an account which is compared throughout with something else, to give it more clarity and strength; and it may otherwise also be called an allegory. Also Ezek. 20:49; 24:3; Mat. 13:3, 13, etc. Hebr. parable a parable.
3 Or, concerning the house of Israel.
3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; 4A great eagle with 5great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had 6divers colours, came unto 7Lebanon, and took the 8highest branch of the 9cedar:
4 Understand Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babel. See verse 12.
5 That is, having great power, a large, extended kingdom, and an abundance of all kind of riches.
6 The Hebrew word signifies properly what is made with the needle of divers colors, as broidered work, Ezek. 16:10, 13, etc.; but here by way of comparison it is used to signify fair, speckled and mix-colored feathers, as if they were embroidered.
7 Understand the land of Palestine, which was bordered northward with mount Lebanon. See 1 Kings 4 on verse 33.
8 By this is signified king Jeconiah, otherwise also called Jehoiachin 1 Chron. 3:16, who was carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babel, 2 Kings 24:12; 2 Chron. 36:10.
9 Which was a figure of the kingdom of the Jews. Compare Num. 24:6; Amos 2:9.
4He cropped off the top 10of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of 11traffick; he set it in 12a city of 13merchants.
10 These signify the princes, lords and nobles, who with king Jehoiachin went into captivity to Babel, 2 Kings 24:12.
11 Here is in the original the word chenaan, which properly signifies merchant. See Job 41:6 and the annotation. Understand now hereby Babylon, where there was much commerce, by reason of the multitude of men who dwelt there, and who continued and traded there from all countries.
12 Namely, Babel.
13 Other, of grocers, or, pharmacists, as 1 Kings 10:15. As such the city of Babel would be called, because it was full of all manner of spices, perfumes, and costly wares, serving not only for necessity or delight, but also for delicacy and excess.
514He took also of 15the seed of the land, and 16planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it 17by great waters, and set it 18as a willow tree.
14 Namely, the aforementioned eagle, king Nebuchadnezzar.
15 That is, of those who were born in the land of Judah. Understand Mattaniah, the uncle of Jeconiah, that is, his father Jehoiachin’s brother, called by Nebuchadnezzar Zedekiah, 2 Kings 24:17.
16 That is, he made Zedekiah king over Judah.
17 That is, in a convenient place where it might grow well.
18 That is, by wise and well-advised conditions. Other, as a willow tree, which delights to grow by the waters.
6And 19it grew, and became a spreading vine 20of low 21stature, whose branches turned 22toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so 23it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
19 Namely, that seed, king Zedekiah. The meaning is: that this king prospered and was happy in his kingdom, as long as he continued faithful to the king of Babel.
20 Namely, as being under the power and command of the king of Babel, unto whom he was constrained to pay a yearly tribute.
21 Hebr. stature, height, upright frame. Also Ezek. 19:11; 31:3, 5, 10.
22 Namely, of whom he had its planting, and under whose protection he was hidden.
23 Namely, the vine tree.
7There was also another 24great eagle with 25great wings and many feathers: and, behold, 26this vine did bend 27her roots 28toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that 29he might water 30it 31by the furrows 32of her plantation.
24 Namely, Pharaoh, king of Egypt. See verses 15 and 17.
25 Compare the annotation on verse 3.
26 That is, king Zedekiah.
27 Understand by the vine roots the ambassadors whom king Zedekiah sent secretly to the king of Egypt to make a covenant with him, to the end that he would help him against the king of Babel, whose tributary and vassal he was, and from whom he was now revolted. Compare verse 15; Jer. 2:18.
28 Namely, the eagle, the king of Egypt.
29 Understand the same eagle.
30 Namely, the aforementioned vine, king Zedekiah.
31 That is, toward the entrees and passages, which led to the place of her planting. The Hebrew particle rendered here by, is taken in like signification Judges 7:3, 17. See the annotations. This refers now to the custom of Egypt, where, when the river Nile overflowed, they made rivers, trenches and furrows to permit the water throughout the entire land, and to spread it abroad into all places. As such did king Zedekiah likewise desire or request that the king of Egypt would send his forces and soldiers unto him, to help him against the king of Babel. Other, by the beds of her planting, namely, as his land being watered by the king of Egypt, he then thereby might grow up.
32 Namely, of the vine’s plantation, that is, at the place where it was planted, namely, in Judea.
8It was 33planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
33 Namely, of the king Nebuchadnezzar.
9Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall 34it prosper? shall 35he not pull up 36the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, 37even 38without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
34 Namely, the vine, which was planted by the first eagle.
35 Namely, the first eagle, king Nebuchadnezzar.
36 Namely, of the vine. Understand king Zedekiah, as above, with all his strength, and the entire kingdom.
37 As such is the letter vau taken for even, Jer. 17:10, see the annotation there.
38 That is, without the necessity of making use of a mighty army to do it; for, the Lord Himself will be against Zedekiah for his wickedness and perjury.
10Yea, behold, being planted, 39shall it prosper? 40shall it not 41utterly wither, when 42the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither 43in the furrows 44where it grew.
39 This question implies a strong negation.
40 This question implies a strong affirmation.
41 Hebr. withering wither.
42 Understand here by the east wind the king of Babel, who would destroy king Zedekiah, all his strength and the city of Jerusalem, as the fruits are destroyed by the east wind, Gen. 41:6.
43 Namely, wherein it is planted that it might be well watered and might grow well. Or, it shall wither and perish together with the furrows, that is, likewise with the land of Judah, wherein it stands. Or, the furrows, that is, the means whereby he will seek water, that is, help from Egypt, shall likewise perish.
44 That is, wherein it buds or grows. Also verse 7 the furrows of her plantation, wherein it was planted.
11¶Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
12Say now to 45the rebellious house, Know ye not what 46these things 47mean? tell them, 48Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken 49the king thereof, and the 50princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
45 Hebr. that house of rebellion. Understand the tribe or kingdom of Judah. See Ezek. 2 on verse 5.
46 Namely, which I have put forth unto you concerning two eagles.
47 Or, are, signify, imply.
48 Here follows the exposition of the propounded parable.
49 Namely, Jehoiachin, 2 Kings 24:12; 2 Chron. 36:10. See on verse 3.
50 Who in verse 4 are compared to the uppermost tender branches of Lebanon.
13And hath taken of the 51king’s seed, and made aa covenant with him, and hath taken 52an oath of him: he hath also 53taken the 54mighty of the land:
51 Called in verse 5 the seed of the land, namely, of Judah. Hebr. seed of the kingdom. He understands Zedekiah. See on verse 5.
a Jer. 34:18.
52 Or, made him to enter into an oath, namely, whereby Zedekiah cursed himself, if he did not keep his word, and did not continue loyalty. Compare Ezek. 16 on verse 59. Some conceive this manner of speech made him to enter into an oath refers to the ancient custom, whereby those, who made a covenant with each other, slew beasts, divided them into pieces, and then passed between the divided pieces or parts. See Gen. 15 on verse 17.
53 Namely, for pledges or hostages.
54 Namely, who could have assisted king Zedekiah with counsel and action, to strengthen the kingdom of Judah against the king of Babel, and cause it at length to fall away from him.
14That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of 55his covenant it might stand.
55 Namely, of the king of Babel. Understand the promises of subjection and fealty, which Zedekiah and the lords of the land had made unto the king of Babel.
15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, thatb they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break 56the covenant, and be delivered?
b Jer. 37:5.
56 Namely, which he has made with king Nebuchadnezzar.
16As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely 57in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even 58with him in the midst of Babylon he 59shall die.
57 Namely, where king Nebuchadnezzar dwells, that is, in Babel, as is said here at the end of the verse.
58 That is, in the same place or city, as was said before, and consequently not in his own country.
59 The sense is, that he would certainly die there; though he would not see the land, because before that time his eyes would be blinded in Riblah, 2 Kings 25:6, 7; Jer. 32:5; 34:3, 5; 52:11.
17Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company makec for 60him in the war, 61by 62casting up mounts,d and building forts,e to cut off 63many persons:
c Jer. 37:7.
60 That is, for Zedekiah, namely, to help him, by joining his forces with the forces of Zedekiah. Or, against him, that is, against king Nebuchadnezzar, to oppose him, and to drive him away from Jerusalem.
61 Which the king of Babel would do.
62 Hebr. pour out. Also 2 Sam. 20:15; 2 Kings 19:32.
d Ezek. 4:2.
e 2 Kings 25:1; Isa. 29:3; Ezek. 4:2.
63 Or, many souls, that is, many men.
18Seeing 64he despised the 65oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his 66hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
64 Namely, king Zedekiah.
65 Or, curse.
66 Namely, to the king of Babel, to assure him that he would strongly keep and maintain the covenant that he has made with him. See of such giving of the hand for assuring of that which a man says or promises, 2 Kings 10:15; 2 Chron. 30:8; Ezra 10:19.
19Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely 67mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense 68upon his own head.
67 God calls the oath which Zedekiah had made unto the king of Babel His oath, because it was made with calling upon His Name; and in the same sense His covenant, which he had made with the same king. Understand under the word oath the punishment of breaking the oath.
68 That is, rewarding with punishments. See 1 Kings 8 on verse 32. Also Ezek. 9:10; 11:21; 16:43; 22:31. An abrupt kind of oath.
20And I will spread 69my netf upon 70him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will pleadg with him 71there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
69 See Ezek. 12 on verse 13; 32:3.
f Ezek. 12:13; 32:3.
70 Namely, upon the king Zedekiah.
g Jer. 4:12; 25:31.
71 Namely, over and above the judgment which I caused to pass upon him at Riblah, 2 Kings 25:6, 7; for, after that he was in prison in Babel till he died, Jer. 52:11. God is said to plead with man, or to enter into judgment with him, when by His punishments He convinces him of his sins, and as it were disgraces him, makes him ashamed in a court of justice. Also Isa. 66:16; Ezek. 20:35; 38:22. See further hereof Ezek. 20 on verse 35.
21And all 72his fugitives with all his 73bands shall fall 74by the sword,h and they that remain shall be scatteredi75toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken it.
72 See of these 2 Kings 25:5; Jer. 52:8.
73 That is, multitudes and companies of soldiers. See Ezek. 12 on verse 14.
74 That is, perish in war or by weapons. See Lev. 26 on verse 7.
h Ezek. 16:40.
i Ezek. 5:10, 12; 12:14.
75 That is, into all corners of the world. See Ezek. 5 on verse 10.
22¶Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also 76take 77of the highest branch of the high 78cedar, and will 79set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs 80a tender one, and will plant it upon 81an high mountain and eminent:
76 Namely, a young sprig or twig, which is here, later in this verse, called a tender one.
77 That is, of the royal stock. See verse 3. Or thus: of the high branch of the cedar, or, of the uppermost branch of the cedar that was high.
78 That is, of the kingdom of Judah. See on verse 3.
79 That is, will plant.
80 Hereby is understood Zerubbabel, and his successors, but especially Christ, of Whom they were types. Christ is called a Branch or rod, Isa. 11:1; 60:21; Zech. 6:12.
81 Understand the true Zion, that is, the true Jewish and Christian church and congregation of saints. See Isa. 2:2; 11:9; Ezek. 20:40; Micah 4:1.
23In the mountain 82of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and 83bear 84fruit, and be a 85goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell 86all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
82 That is, which shall be exceeding high. Understand this height, as well of the high renowned and large diffusive fame of the Kingdom of Christ, as of the eminent height and dignity of the mercies and benefits of Christ, which therein shall be obtained.
83 Hebr. make.
84 See of this fruit, Psalm 85:9, etc.; Isa. 11:2, etc.; Dan. 9:24.
85 Understand not an outward or earthly glory, but an inward or heavenly glory; of which see Psalm 110:1, etc.; Eph. 1:20, etc.; Philip. 2:9, 10, 11.
86 That is, not only Israelites and Jews, but also Gentiles.
24And all the 87trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down 88the high tree, have exalted 89the low tree, have dried up 90the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.
87 That is, people, who are so called because they ought to bring forth good fruits, Psalm 1:3; Isa. 56:3; Mat. 7:17, 18, 19. Some understand properly the kings, who, among other men, are eminent in highness, Dan. 4:20, 22.
88 This may corporally be understood of the Babylonians and their monarchy, which was destroyed by Cyrus; and spiritually of the devil and his realm, which was destroyed by Christ.
89 This may be also corporally understood of the Jews, when they returned out of the Babylonian captivity; and spiritually of all the elect and believers, who are redeemed by Christ from the power of the devil.
90 The preceding is repeated in other words.