PARABLE OF THE TWO GREAT EAGLES, AND THE CROPPING OF THE CEDAR OF LEBANON. JUDAH IS TO BE JUDGED FOR REVOLTING FROM BABYLON, WHICH HAD SET UP ZEDEKIAH INSTEAD OF JEHOIACHIN, TO EGYPT; GOD HIMSELF, AS THE RIVAL OF THE …
2Hijo de hombre, propón una figura, y compón una parábola a la casa de Israel.
3Y dirás: Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Una gran águila, de grandes alas y de largos miembros, llena de plumas de diversos colores, vino al Líbano, y tomó el cogollo del cedro.
4Arrancó el principal de sus renuevos y lo llevó a tierra de mercaderes, y lo puso en una ciudad de comerciantes.
5Tomó también de la simiente de la tierra, y la puso en un campo bueno para sembrar, la plantó junto a aguas abundantes, la puso como un sauce.
6Y brotó, y se hizo una vid de mucho ramaje, de poca altura, y sus ramas miraban al águila, y sus raíces estaban debajo de ella; así que se hizo una vid, y arrojó sarmientos y echó mugrones.
7Había también otra gran águila, de grandes alas y de muchas plumas; y he aquí que esta vid juntó cerca de ella sus raíces, y extendió hacia ella sus ramas, para ser regada por ella por los surcos de su plantío.
8En un buen campo, junto a muchas aguas, fue plantada, para que hiciese ramas y diese fruto, y para que fuese vid robusta.
9Diles: Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: ¿Será prosperada? ¿No arrancará sus raíces, y destruirá su fruto, y se secará? Todas sus hojas lozanas se secarán; y eso sin gran poder ni mucha gente para arrancarla de sus raíces.
10Y he aquí está plantada; ¿será prosperada? ¿No se secará del todo cuando el viento solano la toque? En los surcos de su verdor se secará.
11Y vino a mí palabra de Jehová, diciendo:
12Di ahora a la casa rebelde: ¿No habéis entendido qué significan estas cosas? Diles: He aquí que el rey de Babilonia vino a Jerusalén, y tomó a tu rey y a sus príncipes, y los llevó consigo a Babilonia.
13Tomó también a uno de la descendencia real e hizo pacto con él, y le hizo prestar juramento; y se llevó consigo a los poderosos de la tierra,
14para que el reino fuese abatido y no se levantase, a fin de que guardando el pacto, permaneciese en pie.
15Pero se rebeló contra él, enviando embajadores a Egipto para que le diese caballos y mucha gente. ¿Será prosperado, escapará el que estas cosas hizo? El que rompió el pacto, ¿podrá escapar?
16Vivo yo, dice Jehová el Señor, que morirá en medio de Babilonia, en el lugar donde habita el rey que le hizo reinar, cuyo juramento menospreció, y cuyo pacto hecho con él rompió.
17Y ni con gran ejército ni con mucha compañía hará Faraón nada por él en la batalla, cuando se levanten vallados y se edifiquen torres para cortar muchas vidas.
18Por cuanto menospreció el juramento y quebrantó el pacto, cuando he aquí que había dado su mano, y ha hecho todas estas cosas, no escapará.
19Por tanto, así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Vivo yo, que el juramento mío que menospreció, y mi pacto que ha quebrantado, lo traeré sobre su misma cabeza.
20Extenderé sobre él mi red, y será preso en mi lazo, y lo haré venir a Babilonia, y allí entraré en juicio con él por su prevaricación con que contra mí se ha rebelado.
21Y todos sus fugitivos, con todas sus tropas, caerán a espada, y los que queden serán esparcidos a todos los vientos; y sabréis que yo Jehová he hablado.
22Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Tomaré yo del cogollo de aquel alto cedro, y lo plantaré; del principal de sus renuevos cortaré un tallo, y lo plantaré sobre el monte alto y sublime.
23En el monte alto de Israel lo plantaré, y alzará ramas, y dará fruto, y se hará magnífico cedro; y habitarán debajo de él todas las aves de toda especie; a la sombra de sus ramas habitarán.
24Y sabrán todos los árboles del campo que yo Jehová abatí el árbol sublime, levanté el árbol bajo, hice secar el árbol verde, e hice reverdecer el árbol seco. Yo Jehová lo he dicho, y lo haré.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 3
I. eagle--the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian su…
eagle--the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian supreme god, Nisroch; so applied to "the great king" of Babylon, his vicegerent on earth (Jer 48:40; Jer 49:22). His "wings" are his great forces. Such symbols were familiar to the Jews, who saw them portrayed on the great buildings of Babylon; such as are now seen in the Assyrian remains.
long-winged--implying the wide extent of his empire.
full of feathers--when they have been renewed after moulting; and so in the full freshness of renovated youth (Psa 103:5; Isa 40:31). Answering to the many peoples which, as tributaries, constituted the strength of Babylon:
divers colours--the golden eagle, marked with star-like spots, supposed to be the largest of eagles [BOCHART]. Answering to the variety of languages, habits, and costumes of the peoples subject to Babylon.
came unto Lebanon--continuing the metaphor: as the eagle frequents mountains, not cities. The temple at Jerusalem was called "Lebanon" by the Jews [EUSEBIUS], because its woodwork was wholly of cedars of Lebanon. "The mountain of the Lord's house" (Isa 2:2). Jerusalem, however, is chiefly meant, the chief seat of civil honor, as Lebanon was of external elevation.
took the highest branch--King Jeconiah, then but eighteen years old, and many of the chiefs and people with him (Kg2 24:8, Kg2 24:12-16). The Hebrew for "highest branch" is, properly, the fleece-like tuft at the top of the tree. (So in Eze 31:3-14). The cedar, as a tall tree, is the symbol of kingly elevation (compare Dan 4:10-12).
II
Versículo 4
II. land of traffic . . . merchants--Babylon (Kg2 24:15-16), famous for its transport traffic on the …
land of traffic . . . merchants--Babylon (Kg2 24:15-16), famous for its transport traffic on the Tigris and Euphrates. Also, by its connection with the Persian Gulf, it carried on much commerce with India.
III
Versículo 5
III. seed of the land--not a foreign production, but one native in the region; a son of the soil, not …
seed of the land--not a foreign production, but one native in the region; a son of the soil, not a foreigner: Zedekiah, uncle of Jehoiachin, of David's family.
in a fruitful field--literally, a "field of seed"; that is, fit for propagating and continuing the seed of the royal family.
as a willow--derived from a Hebrew root, "to overflow," from its fondness for water (Isa 44:4). Judea was "a land of brooks of water and fountains" (Deu 8:7-9; compare Joh 3:23).
IV
Versículo 6
IV. vine of low stature--not now, as before, a stately "cedar"; the kingdom of Judah was to be prospe…
vine of low stature--not now, as before, a stately "cedar"; the kingdom of Judah was to be prosperous, but not elevated.
branches turned toward him--expressing the fealty of Zedekiah as a vassal looking up to Nebuchadnezzar, to whom Judah owed its peace and very existence as a separate state. The "branches" mean his sons and the other princes and nobles.
The roots . . . under him--The stability of Judah depended on Babylon. The repetition "branches" and "springs" is in order to mark the ingratitude of Zedekiah, who, not content with moderate prosperity, revolted from him to whom he had sworn allegiance.
V
Versículo 7
V. another . . . eagle--the king of Egypt (Eze 17:15). The "long-winged" of Eze 17:3 is omitted, as …
another . . . eagle--the king of Egypt (Eze 17:15). The "long-winged" of Eze 17:3 is omitted, as Egypt had not such a wide empire and large armies as Babylon.
vine . . . bend . . . roots towards him--literally, "thirsted after him with its roots"; expressing the longings after Egypt in the Jewish heart. Zedekiah sought the alliance of Egypt, as though by it he could throw off his dependence on Babylon (Kg2 24:7, Kg2 24:20; Ch2 36:13; Jer 37:5, Jer 37:7).
water it by . . . furrows of . . . plantation--that is, in the garden beds (Judea) wherein (the vine) it was planted. Rather, "by" or "out of the furrows." It refers to the waters of Egypt, the Nile being made to water the fields by means of small canals or "furrows"; these waters are the figure of the auxiliary forces wherewith Egypt tried to help Judah. See the same figure, Isa 8:7. But see on Eze 17:10, "furrows where it grew."
VI
Versículo 8
VI. It was planted in a good soil--It was not want of the necessaries of life, nor oppression on the …
It was planted in a good soil--It was not want of the necessaries of life, nor oppression on the port of Nebuchadnezzar, which caused Zedekiah to revolt: it was gratuitous ambition, pride, and ingratitude.
VII
Versículo 9
VII. Shall it prosper?--Could it be that gratuitous treason should prosper? God will not allow it. "It…
Shall it prosper?--Could it be that gratuitous treason should prosper? God will not allow it. "It," that is, the vine.
he . . . pull up--that is, the first eagle, or Nebuchadnezzar.
in all . . . leaves of her spring--that is, all its springing (sprouting) leaves.
without great power or many--It shall not need all the forces of Babylon to destroy it; a small division of the army will suffice because God will deliver it into Nebuchadnezzar's hand (Jer 37:10).
VIII
Versículo 10
VIII. being planted--that is, "though planted."
being planted--that is, "though planted."
east wind--The east wind was noxious to vegetation in Palestine; a fit emblem of Babylon, which came from the northeast.
wither in . . . furrows where it grew--Zedekiah was taken at Jericho, on Jewish soil (Jer 52:8). "It shall wither, although it has furrows from which it expects continual waterings" [CALVIN], (Eze 19:12; Hos 13:15).
IX
Versículo 12
IX. Know ye not--He upbraided them with moral, leading to intellectual, stupidity.
Know ye not--He upbraided them with moral, leading to intellectual, stupidity.
hath taken the king--Jeconiah or Jehoiachin (Kg2 24:11, Kg2 24:12-16).
X
Versículo 13
X. the king's seed--Zedekiah, Jeconiah's uncle.
the king's seed--Zedekiah, Jeconiah's uncle.
taken . . . oath of him--swearing fealty as a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar (Ch2 36:13).
also taken the mighty--as hostages for the fulfilment of the covenant; whom, therefore, Zedekiah exposed to death by his treason.
XI
Versículo 14
XI. That the kingdom might be base--that is, low as to national elevation by being Nebuchadnezzar's d…
That the kingdom might be base--that is, low as to national elevation by being Nebuchadnezzar's dependent; but, at the same time, safe and prosperous, if faithful to the "oath." Nebuchadnezzar dealt sincerely and openly in proposing conditions, and these moderate ones; therefore Zedekiah's treachery was the baser and was a counterpart to their treachery towards God.
XII
Versículo 15
XII. he rebelled--God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem (Kg2 24:20).
he rebelled--God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem (Kg2 24:20).
horses--in which Egypt abounded and which were forbidden to Israel to seek from Egypt, or indeed to "multiply" at all (Deu 17:16; Isa 31:1, Isa 31:3; compare Isa 36:9). DIODORUS SICULUS [1.45] says that the whole region from Thebes to Memphis was filled with royal stalls, so that twenty thousand chariots with two horses in each could be furnished for war.
Shall he prosper?--The third time this question is asked, with an indignant denial understood (Eze 17:9-10). Even the heathen believed that breakers of an oath would not "escape" punishment.
XIII
Versículo 16
XIII. in the place where the king dwelleth--righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst f…
in the place where the king dwelleth--righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst form the evil which, in a mild form, he had sought to deliver himself from by perjured treachery, namely, vassalage (Eze 12:13; Jer 32:5; Jer 34:3; Jer 52:11).
XIV
Versículo 17
XIV. Pharaoh--Pharaoh-hophra (Jer 37:7; Jer 44:30), the successor of Necho (Kg2 23:29).
Pharaoh--Pharaoh-hophra (Jer 37:7; Jer 44:30), the successor of Necho (Kg2 23:29).
Neither . . . make for him--literally, "effect (anything) with him," that is, be of any avail to Zedekiah. Pharaoh did not act in concert with him, for he was himself compelled to retire to Egypt.
by casting up mounts, &c.--So far from Pharaoh doing so for Jerusalem, this was what Nebuchadnezzar did against it (Jer 52:4). CALVIN MAURER, &c., refer it to Nebuchadnezzar, "when Nebuchadnezzar shall cast up mounts."
XV
Versículo 18
XV. given his hand--in ratification of the oath (Kg2 10:15; Ezr 10:19), and also in token of subjecti…
given his hand--in ratification of the oath (Kg2 10:15; Ezr 10:19), and also in token of subjection to Nebuchadnezzar (Ch1 29:24, Margin; Ch2 30:8, Margin; Lam 5:6).
16
Versículo 19
16. mine oath--The "covenant" being sworn in God's name was really His covenant; a new instance in re…
mine oath--The "covenant" being sworn in God's name was really His covenant; a new instance in relation to man of the treacherous spirit which had been so often betrayed in relation to God. God Himself must therefore avenge the violation of His covenant "on the head" of the perjurer (compare Psa 7:16).
17
Versículo 20
17. my net-- (Eze 12:13; Eze 32:3). God entraps him as he had tried to entrap others (Psa 7:15). This…
my net-- (Eze 12:13; Eze 32:3). God entraps him as he had tried to entrap others (Psa 7:15). This was spoken at least upwards of three years before the fall of Jerusalem (compare Eze 8:1, with Eze 20:1).
18
Versículo 21
18. all his fugitives--the soldiers that accompany him in his flight.
all his fugitives--the soldiers that accompany him in his flight.
19
Versículo 22
19. When the state of Israel shall seem past recovery, Messiah, Jehovah Himself, will unexpectedly ap…
When the state of Israel shall seem past recovery, Messiah, Jehovah Himself, will unexpectedly appear on the scene as Redeemer of His people (Isa 63:5).
I . . . also--God opposes Himself to Nebuchadnezzar: "He took of the seed of the land and planted it (Eze 17:3, Eze 17:5), so will I, but with better success than he had. The branch he plucked (Zedekiah) and planted, flourished but for a time, to perish at last; I will plant a scion of the same tree, the house of David, to whom the kingdom belongs by an everlasting covenant, and it shall be the shelter of the whole world, and shall be for ever."
branch--the peculiar title of Messiah (Zac 3:8; Zac 6:12; Isa 11:1; Isa 4:2; Jer 23:5; Jer 33:15).
a tender one--Zerubbabel never reigned as a universal (Eze 17:23) king, nor could the great things mentioned here be said of him, except as a type of Messiah. Messiah alone can be meant: originally "a tender plant and root out of a dry ground" (Isa 53:2); the beginning of His kingdom being humble, His reputed parents of lowly rank, though King David's lineal representatives; yet, even then, God here calls Him, in respect to His everlasting purpose, "the highest . . . of the high" (Psa 89:27).
I . . . will plant it upon an high mountain--Zion; destined to be the moral center and eminence of grace and glory shining forth to the world, out-topping all mundane elevation. The kingdom, typically begun at the return from Babylon, and the rebuilding of the temple, fully began with Christ's appearing, and shall have its highest manifestation at His reappearing to reign on Zion, and thence over the whole earth (Psa 2:6, Psa 2:8; Isa 2:2-3; Jer 3:17).
20
Versículo 23
20. under it . . . all fowl--the Gospel "mustard tree," small at first, but at length receiving all u…
under it . . . all fowl--the Gospel "mustard tree," small at first, but at length receiving all under its covert (Mat 13:32); the antithesis to Antichrist, symbolized by Assyria, of which the same is said (Eze 31:6), and Babylon (Dan 4:12). Antichrist assumes in mimicry the universal power really belonging to Christ.
21
Versículo 24
21. I . . . brought down the high--the very attribute given to God by the virgin mother of Him, under…
I . . . brought down the high--the very attribute given to God by the virgin mother of Him, under whom this was to be accomplished.
high . . . low tree--that is, princes elevated . . . lowered. All the empires of the world, represented by Babylon, once flourishing ("green"), shall be brought low before the once depressed ("dry"), but then exalted, kingdom of Messiah and His people, the head of whom shall be Israel (Dan 2:44).
Vindication of God's moral government as to His retributive righteousness from the Jewish imputation of injustice, as if they were suffering, not for their own sin, but for that of their fathers. As in the seventeenth chapter he foretold Messiah's happy reign in Jerusalem, so now he warns them that its blessings can be theirs only upon their individually turning to righteousness.
Next: Ezekiel Chapter 18
Antiguo Testamento
Ezekiel — Capítulo 17
PARABLE OF THE TWO GREAT EAGLES, AND THE CROPPING OF THE CEDAR OF LEBANON. JUDAH IS TO BE JUDGED FOR REVOLTING FROM BABYLON, WHICH HAD SET UP ZEDEKIAH INSTEAD OF JEHOIACHIN, TO EGYPT; GOD HIMSELF, AS THE RIVAL OF THE …
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Vino a mí palabra de Jehová, diciendo:
2Hijo de hombre, propón una figura, y compón una parábola a la casa de Israel.
3Y dirás: Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Una gran águila, de grandes alas y de largos miembros, llena de plumas de diversos colores, vino al Líbano, y tomó el cogollo del cedro.
4Arrancó el principal de sus renuevos y lo llevó a tierra de mercaderes, y lo puso en una ciudad de comerciantes.
5Tomó también de la simiente de la tierra, y la puso en un campo bueno para sembrar, la plantó junto a aguas abundantes, la puso como un sauce.
6Y brotó, y se hizo una vid de mucho ramaje, de poca altura, y sus ramas miraban al águila, y sus raíces estaban debajo de ella; así que se hizo una vid, y arrojó sarmientos y echó mugrones.
7Había también otra gran águila, de grandes alas y de muchas plumas; y he aquí que esta vid juntó cerca de ella sus raíces, y extendió hacia ella sus ramas, para ser regada por ella por los surcos de su plantío.
8En un buen campo, junto a muchas aguas, fue plantada, para que hiciese ramas y diese fruto, y para que fuese vid robusta.
9Diles: Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: ¿Será prosperada? ¿No arrancará sus raíces, y destruirá su fruto, y se secará? Todas sus hojas lozanas se secarán; y eso sin gran poder ni mucha gente para arrancarla de sus raíces.
10Y he aquí está plantada; ¿será prosperada? ¿No se secará del todo cuando el viento solano la toque? En los surcos de su verdor se secará.
11Y vino a mí palabra de Jehová, diciendo:
12Di ahora a la casa rebelde: ¿No habéis entendido qué significan estas cosas? Diles: He aquí que el rey de Babilonia vino a Jerusalén, y tomó a tu rey y a sus príncipes, y los llevó consigo a Babilonia.
13Tomó también a uno de la descendencia real e hizo pacto con él, y le hizo prestar juramento; y se llevó consigo a los poderosos de la tierra,
14para que el reino fuese abatido y no se levantase, a fin de que guardando el pacto, permaneciese en pie.
15Pero se rebeló contra él, enviando embajadores a Egipto para que le diese caballos y mucha gente. ¿Será prosperado, escapará el que estas cosas hizo? El que rompió el pacto, ¿podrá escapar?
16Vivo yo, dice Jehová el Señor, que morirá en medio de Babilonia, en el lugar donde habita el rey que le hizo reinar, cuyo juramento menospreció, y cuyo pacto hecho con él rompió.
17Y ni con gran ejército ni con mucha compañía hará Faraón nada por él en la batalla, cuando se levanten vallados y se edifiquen torres para cortar muchas vidas.
18Por cuanto menospreció el juramento y quebrantó el pacto, cuando he aquí que había dado su mano, y ha hecho todas estas cosas, no escapará.
19Por tanto, así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Vivo yo, que el juramento mío que menospreció, y mi pacto que ha quebrantado, lo traeré sobre su misma cabeza.
20Extenderé sobre él mi red, y será preso en mi lazo, y lo haré venir a Babilonia, y allí entraré en juicio con él por su prevaricación con que contra mí se ha rebelado.
21Y todos sus fugitivos, con todas sus tropas, caerán a espada, y los que queden serán esparcidos a todos los vientos; y sabréis que yo Jehová he hablado.
22Así ha dicho Jehová el Señor: Tomaré yo del cogollo de aquel alto cedro, y lo plantaré; del principal de sus renuevos cortaré un tallo, y lo plantaré sobre el monte alto y sublime.
23En el monte alto de Israel lo plantaré, y alzará ramas, y dará fruto, y se hará magnífico cedro; y habitarán debajo de él todas las aves de toda especie; a la sombra de sus ramas habitarán.
24Y sabrán todos los árboles del campo que yo Jehová abatí el árbol sublime, levanté el árbol bajo, hice secar el árbol verde, e hice reverdecer el árbol seco. Yo Jehová lo he dicho, y lo haré.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 3
I. eagle--the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian su…
Versículo 4
II. land of traffic . . . merchants--Babylon (Kg2 24:15-16), famous for its transport traffic on the …
Versículo 5
III. seed of the land--not a foreign production, but one native in the region; a son of the soil, not …
Versículo 6
IV. vine of low stature--not now, as before, a stately "cedar"; the kingdom of Judah was to be prospe…
Versículo 7
V. another . . . eagle--the king of Egypt (Eze 17:15). The "long-winged" of Eze 17:3 is omitted, as …
Versículo 8
VI. It was planted in a good soil--It was not want of the necessaries of life, nor oppression on the …
Versículo 9
VII. Shall it prosper?--Could it be that gratuitous treason should prosper? God will not allow it. "It…
Versículo 10
VIII. being planted--that is, "though planted."
Versículo 12
IX. Know ye not--He upbraided them with moral, leading to intellectual, stupidity.
Versículo 13
X. the king's seed--Zedekiah, Jeconiah's uncle.
Versículo 14
XI. That the kingdom might be base--that is, low as to national elevation by being Nebuchadnezzar's d…
Versículo 15
XII. he rebelled--God permitted this because of His wrath against Jerusalem (Kg2 24:20).
Versículo 16
XIII. in the place where the king dwelleth--righteous retribution. He brought on himself in the worst f…
Versículo 17
XIV. Pharaoh--Pharaoh-hophra (Jer 37:7; Jer 44:30), the successor of Necho (Kg2 23:29).
Versículo 18
XV. given his hand--in ratification of the oath (Kg2 10:15; Ezr 10:19), and also in token of subjecti…
Versículo 19
16. mine oath--The "covenant" being sworn in God's name was really His covenant; a new instance in re…
Versículo 20
17. my net-- (Eze 12:13; Eze 32:3). God entraps him as he had tried to entrap others (Psa 7:15). This…
Versículo 21
18. all his fugitives--the soldiers that accompany him in his flight.
Versículo 22
19. When the state of Israel shall seem past recovery, Messiah, Jehovah Himself, will unexpectedly ap…
Versículo 23
20. under it . . . all fowl--the Gospel "mustard tree," small at first, but at length receiving all u…
Versículo 24
21. I . . . brought down the high--the very attribute given to God by the virgin mother of Him, under…