Bible Strands
Ezekiel 31:10
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Since it became great in height and set its top among the clouds, and it grew proud on account of its height,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord God speaks through Ezekiel to the prophet’s audience, addressing the fallen tree metaphor immediately after describing its former beauty. This declaration occurs within a prophetic oracle detailing the judgment of a proud nation.
The words — The Hebrew phrase לָ/כֵ֗ה (la./Khen koh) literally means “therefore thus,” introducing a divine decree. The verb גָּבַ֖הְתָּ (ga.Vah.ta) conveys “you were tall” or “you became great in height,” anchoring the cause of the coming judgment.
The thread — This pattern of height breeding pride and triggering divine judgment echoes Ezekiel 28:17, Daniel 5:20, and 2 Chronicles 32:25. Each passage links exaltation to downfall under God’s sovereign correction.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that physical or political elevation invites judgment when it fuels arrogance. It asks the reader to reject self-exaltation and submit to God’s authority before pride corrupts wisdom.
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
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
- 2 Chronicles 32:25 But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 25:19 You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?”
- Job 11:11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
- Isaiah 10:12 So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes.
- Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.
- Ezekiel 31:14 This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’