Ezekiel 17:4
Ezekiel 17:4 in Multiple Translations
He plucked off its topmost shoot, carried it to the land of merchants, and planted it in a city of traders.
He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
he cropped off the topmost of the young twigs thereof, and carried it unto a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants.
Biting off the highest of its young branches, he took it to the land of Canaan, and put it in a town of traders.
He broke off its highest branch and took it to a country of merchants, and planted it in a city of traders.
And brake off the toppe of his twigge, and caried it into the land of marchants, and set it in a citie of marchants.
The top of its tender twigs it hath cropped, And it bringeth it in to the land of Canaan. In a city of merchants it hath placed it.
He cropped off the topmost of its young twigs, and carried it to a land of traffic. He planted it in a city of merchants.
He cropped off the top of its young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
He cropped off the top of the twigs thereof: and carried it away into the land of Chanaan, and he set it in a city of merchants.
and broke it off. Then the eagle carried it away to Babylonia, a country that had many merchants/businessmen, and planted it in one of the cities there.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 17:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 17:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֵ֛ת
רֹ֥אשׁ
יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖י/ו
קָטָ֑ף
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֨/הוּ֙
אֶל
אֶ֣רֶץ
כְּנַ֔עַן
בְּ/עִ֥יר
רֹכְלִ֖ים
שָׂמֽ/וֹ
אֵ֛ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
רֹ֥אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms
יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖י/ו
yᵉnîyqâh
H3242
shoot
N-fp | Suff
קָטָ֑ף
qâṭaph
H6998
to pluck
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֨/הוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֶ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
כְּנַ֔עַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
Canaan
N-proper
בְּ/עִ֥יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
רֹכְלִ֖ים
râkal
H7402
to trade
V-Qal
שָׂמֽ/וֹ
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 17:4
אֵ֛ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
רֹ֥אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖י/ו
yᵉnîyqâh
H3242
"shoot"
N-fp | Suff
A young twig or sapling is called a sucker or sapling in biblical Hebrew. This term refers to a small plant growth.
Definition: young plant, twig, young shoot
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: young twig. See also: Ezekiel 17:4.
קָטָ֑ף
qâṭaph
H6998
"to pluck"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to pluck or strip something off, like cutting down a plant or removing fruit from a tree. It can also describe being plucked off, and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to convey a sense of removal or separation.
Definition: 1) to pluck off or out, cut off 1a) (Qal) to pluck off 1b) (Niphal) to be plucked off
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: crop off, cut down (up), pluck. See also: Deuteronomy 23:26; Job 30:4; Ezekiel 17:22.
וַ/יְבִיאֵ֨/הוּ֙
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֶ֣רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
כְּנַ֔עַן
Kᵉnaʻan
H3667
"Canaan"
N-proper
Canaan was a son of Ham and the name of the country where he lived, which is now modern-day Israel. The Canaanites were known for being merchants and traders, as seen in Genesis and other books.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.9.18; son of: Ham (H2526); brother of: Cush (H3568), Egypt (H4714) and Put (H6316); father of: Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § merchant, trader
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: Canaan, merchant, traffick. See also: Genesis 9:18; Exodus 6:4; Psalms 105:11.
בְּ/עִ֥יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
רֹכְלִ֖ים
râkal
H7402
"to trade"
V-Qal
To trade means to travel for business, exchanging goods or services. In the Bible, it describes a merchant or trader who goes about selling spices or other commodities. The KJV translates it as merchant.
Definition: 1) to go about (meaning uncertain) 1a) (Qal) trafficker, trader (participle) (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (spice) merchant. See also: 1 Kings 10:15; Ezekiel 27:13; Nahum 3:16.
שָׂמֽ/וֹ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 17:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 17:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 17:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 17:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 17:4
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 17:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
- Sermons on Ezekiel 17:4
Context — The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
2“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel
3and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.
4He plucked off its topmost shoot, carried it to the land of merchants, and planted it in a city of traders.
5He took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil; he placed it by abundant waters and set it out like a willow. 6It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 43:14 | Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. |
| 2 | Isaiah 47:15 | This is what they are to you— those with whom you have labored and traded from youth— each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you. |
| 3 | Revelation 18:11–19 | And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men. And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.” The merchants who sold these things and grew their wealth from her will stand at a distance, in fear of her torment. They will weep and mourn, saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.” |
| 4 | Revelation 18:3 | All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 51:13 | You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut. |
Ezekiel 17:4 Summary
[This verse, Ezekiel 17:4, tells us that God is in control of everything, even the powerful nations of the world, and He can take away their strength and influence whenever He wants, as seen in Daniel 4:17. The eagle represents a powerful nation, and the topmost shoot represents the royal family of Judah, which God allowed to be taken away as a form of judgment (2 Kings 25:1-7). This reminds us that God is the one who determines the rise and fall of nations, and we should trust in His sovereignty and plan for our lives (Proverbs 16:9). By understanding this verse, we can see that God's power and control are not limited to ancient times, but are still at work today, guiding our lives and the world around us (Psalm 103:19).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the 'topmost shoot' in Ezekiel 17:4?
The 'topmost shoot' represents the highest and most tender part of the cedar tree, symbolizing the royal family of Judah, as seen in Ezekiel 17:3, where the great eagle takes away the top of the cedar, indicating God's sovereignty over nations (Isaiah 46:10).
Why did the eagle carry the topmost shoot to the land of merchants?
The eagle carried the topmost shoot to the land of merchants, symbolizing the exile of Judah's royal family to Babylon, a land of commerce and trade, as a form of judgment and discipline, as stated in 2 Kings 25:6-7 and Jeremiah 52:9.
What does the city of traders represent in this verse?
The city of traders likely represents Babylon, a major commercial center in the ancient world, where the exiled Judahites would be surrounded by the influences of a foreign culture, as mentioned in Daniel 1:1-4, and would have to adapt to a new environment.
How does this verse relate to God's plan of redemption?
This verse illustrates God's sovereign control over nations and His people, as seen in Ezekiel 17:4, and sets the stage for the message of redemption and restoration that follows in Ezekiel 17:22-24, where God promises to plant a tender shoot on a high mountain, symbolizing the coming Messiah and the restoration of Israel (Isaiah 11:1).
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty over nations and our lives?
- How does the image of the eagle plucking off the topmost shoot make you think about the fragility of human power and the certainty of God's plans?
- In what ways can we see the 'city of traders' as a symbol of the world's influence on our lives, and how can we remain faithful to God in the midst of it, as encouraged in 1 John 2:15-17?
- What does this verse teach us about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 17:4
He cropped off the top of his young twigs,.... By which are meant the princes of the land, or the several branches of the royal family; the top of which was King Jeconiah, who was but young and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 17:4
He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
Cropped off; as a gardener that crops off the goodliest scions, and carrieth them away to graft on some other stock. The top; both the king of Judah, now eighteen years old, and the nobles and chief of the land. Into a land of traffic; into Babylon, which was a city of mighty trade, explained timber by being a city of merchants, and peculiarly of merchants that traded in sweet spices and odoriferous gums.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
Ezekiel 17:4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.Ver. 4. He cropped off the top of his young twigs,] i.e., The nobles carried into captivity with their king, as is to be seen Ezekiel 17:12. So true is that saying of the Rabbis, Nulla est obiectio in lege quae non habet solutionem in latere, There is no riddle in the law that hath not a solution by the sides of it; and so little cause had that Jesuit, Barradius, to borrow an argument from this text to prove the Scriptures to be a riddle and obscure. And carried it into a land of traffic.] Babylonia was so. See Revelation 18:11. Rome is so, where all things are saleable and soluble. Omnia Romae vaenalia; as was long since complained. He set it in a city of merchants.] Some city of Babylon, saith Diodat, assigned to the Jews, which was commodious for traffic, to keep them from all thoughts of war and state policy.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
(4) Into a land of traffick.—Literally, a land of Canaan, the word being sometimes used for merchant or merchandise, as in Hosea 12:8 (Engl. 7); Isaiah 23:8; Zephaniah 1:11. The parallelism of the next clause shows that this is its meaning here. Babylon has already been called Canaan in Ezekiel 16:29, probably from its commercial character.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
Verse 4. The top of his young twigs] The princes of Judah. A land of traffic] Chaldea. A city of merchants] Babylon; for which this city was the most celebrated of all the cities of the east. Its situation procured it innumerable advantages; its two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, and the Persian Gulf, gave it communication with the richest and the most distant nations.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 17:4
1–10. The riddle of the great eagle (1) Ezekiel 17:1-4 introduction. The great, broadwinged, speckled eagle came to Lebanon, and broke off the top of the cedar, carrying it to the merchant-land, Babylon—the captivity of Jehoiachin by Nebuchadnezzar. (2) Ezekiel 17:5-6. He took also of the seed of the land and planted it beside the waters that it might be a spreading vine, and might turn its branches towards him who had planted it—the elevation to the throne by Nebuchadnezzar of Zedekiah as a feudatory monarch. (3) Ezekiel 17:7-8. There was another great eagle, and the vine bent its roots and sent out its branches towards him—Zedekiah sought the alliance and protection of the king of Egypt. (4) Ezekiel 17:9-10. Denunciation of the vine for its treachery. The east wind shall blow on it and it shall wither.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 17:4
A land of traffick - The land of Babylon.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:4
4. Land of traffic — Compare Ezekiel 16:29, where Chaldea is called “the merchants’ land.” Modern discoveries in Babylon have emphasized the appropriateness of the title, for literally tons of clay
Sermons on Ezekiel 17:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God Is Doing a New Thing by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the Lord's greatness and power in our lives. He starts by reminding the audience of God's intervention at the R |
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Ye Are Come to Zion - Part 6 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the conflict between God's chosen people and the nations of the world. The speaker emphasizes that God had a purpose for his chosen nation, Eg |
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What on Earth Is God Doing by Peter Conlan | In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of not becoming stagnant in our faith and ministry. He emphasizes the need to trust in God's work in the younger generation and n |
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The Situation and the Need by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks addresses the profound need for the revealing of the arm of the Lord, emphasizing that God's strength and support are essential in times of spiritual weakness and |
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The Latent Power of the Soul by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee delivers a profound message on 'The Latent Power of the Soul,' emphasizing the distinction between the spirit, soul, and body, and how the fall of Adam has confined th |
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(In the Word) 11 - the Mother of Harlots by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. They urge listeners to listen to the e |
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Concerning the Church, or Church State Under the Gospel by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches about the state of the church under the gospel, highlighting the apostasy from truth that has covered the Earth for ages. He emphasizes the importance of r |