Bible Strands
Ezekiel 19:11
It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel addresses the exiled community of Israel, framing a lament over the fate of Judah’s royal princes through a botanical metaphor. The passage situates their historical rise and sudden downfall within a prophetic warning directed at the house of Israel.
The words — מַטּ֣וֹת עֹ֗ז (ma.Tot 'Oz) translates to "strong branches," while וַ/תִּגְבַּ֥הּ קֽוֹמָת֖/וֹ (va./tig.Bah ko.ma.T/o) literally renders "and it was lofty its stature." These terms anchor the verse’s description of physical prominence and structural integrity.
The thread — The motif of an exalted tree or vine reappears in Ezekiel 31:3, which describes Assyria as a towering cedar, and Daniel 4:11, which notes a tree whose top reached the sky. Psalms 80:15 is also cited for its vine imagery, focusing on divine planting rather than physical height.
Why it lands — The text records the prince’s elevated stature and dense foliage before detailing its uprooting and consumption by fire. It demands recognition that royal prominence is temporary and subject to sudden judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 31:3 Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.
- Psalms 80:15 the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself.
- Daniel 4:11 The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth.
- Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
- Numbers 24:7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- Ezra 4:20 And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
- Ezra 5:11 And this is the answer they returned: “We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.
- Psalms 2:8 Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.
- Psalms 80:17 Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.