Ezekiel 31:8

Verse

The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty.

American Standard Version (1901)

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it; the fir-trees were not like its boughs, and the plane-trees were not as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like unto it in its beauty.

Bible in Basic English

No cedars were equal to it in the garden of God; the fir-trees were not like its branches, and plane-trees were as nothing in comparison with its arms; no tree in the garden of God was so beautiful.

Douay-Rheims 1899

The cedars in the paradise of God wars not higher than he, the fir trees did not equal his top, neither were the plane trees to be compared with him for branches: no tree in the paradise of God was like him in his beauty.

Free Bible Version

The cedars in God's garden were no match for it. No pine tree had such great branches, nor did any plane tree. No tree in God's garden was as beautiful.

King James (Authorized) Version

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

Translation for Translators

The cedar trees in my garden in Eden were not as great as that tree, and the branches of the pine/cypress trees were not as long and thick as the branches of that cedar tree. And the branches of the plane trees were not as long and thick, either. No tree in my garden was as beautiful as that cedar tree.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Cedars in the garden of God could not equal it. None among the cypress trees matched its branches, and the plane tree could not equal its boughs. There was no other tree in the garden of God that was like it in its beauty.

Noah Webster Bible

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir-trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut-trees were not like his branches; not any tree in the garden of God was like to him in his beauty.

World English Bible

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it. The cypress trees were not like its branches. The pine trees were not like its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty.

Young's Literal Translation

Cedars have not hid him in the garden of God, Firs have not been like unto his boughs, And chesnut-trees have not been as his branches, No tree in the garden of God hath been like unto him in his beauty,

Context

Egypt Will Fall like Assyria

⁷It was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its limbs, for its roots extended to abundant waters. ⁸The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty. ⁹I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’

Summary

Ezekiel 31:8 uses the imagery of a majestic cedar tree to describe the pride and downfall of Egypt. Just as the cedar tree grew tall and its branches reached to the heavens, Egypt's power and influence had also grown to great heights. However, due to its pride and arrogance, Egypt would be brought down low and humbled by the Lord. This verse serves as a warning against pride and a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations, showing that He exalts the humble but brings down the proud.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

The cedars in the garden of God - Egypt was one of the most eminent and affluent of all the neighboring nations.