Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
When God's people lie crushed, He sends word that the cup of trembling passes from their hands to the hands of those who hate them. God bids Pharaoh search history for a parallel to his own case: let him name any potentate he fancies himself equal to, and he will find that great man fell too. The falls of others are warnings against pride and false security.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 31:1-9
Thus was he fair in his greatness,.... Amiable, lovely, delightful to look upon in the greatness of his majesty, in his royal glory and dignity: in the length of his branches; in the extent of his empire, and the provinces of it: for his root was by great waters; his kingdom was well established, firmly rooted among a multitude of people; from whom he had...
Within two months of the last word, Ezekiel received this fresh threat against Egypt: God compares Pharaoh's might to the greatness of Assyria, a mighty cedar felled for its pride and height. The fall of that empire was still fresh in memory when this was spoken, and nothing could overthrow Egyptian reliance on power more effectively than the remembrance of Assyria's destruction.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 31:1-9