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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Ezekiel 17:3 - 17:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
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 molting; 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 (2Ki 24:8, 2Ki 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).