Parable of the Cedar Tree

Ezekiel 31:1-14

pridejudgmentpower

Biblical Text

"Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: 'Who can be compared with you in majesty? Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage.

The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field.

So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters...

Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered high, lifting its top above the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height, I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside...'"

— Ezekiel 31:2-5, 10-11 (NIV)

Context

Ezekiel delivered this parable as a warning to Egypt, using Assyria's fall as an object lesson. It was given two months before Jerusalem's fall, warning Egypt about the dangers of pride and the certainty of divine judgment.

Theological Interpretation

This parable illustrates how pride leads to downfall. Using the metaphor of a majestic cedar tree, it shows how nations that exalt themselves will be humbled by God. The parable emphasizes God's sovereignty over all earthly powers.