Ezekiel 17:3-4
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The description of the eagle's "plumage of many colors" isn't just about beauty; it highlights the vastness and diversity of the empire this invading power (Babylon) held, encompassing many different peoples and nations. This detail emphasizes the sheer scope of the impending judgment on Jerusalem.
say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and set it in a city of merchants.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's prophet is about to deliver a complex parable involving powerful imagery. This passage sets the stage by introducing a fearsome, multi-colored eagle that descends upon Lebanon, seizing the tallest part of a cedar tree, which symbolizes the Davidic royal line and the nation of Judah. This dramatic act foreshadows the impending Babylonian invasion and the deportation of King Jehoiachin.
Why would God compare the powerful King of Babylon to a bird of prey? This isn't just random imagery; it reveals a lot about God's perspective on human empires and their actions.
The 'great eagle' is a vivid symbol for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The description isn't arbitrary:
God uses this powerful imagery to describe an earthly king who, though seemingly powerful and impressive, is ultimately an instrument in God's hand to carry out His judgment.
Why 'Lebanon' and why a 'cedar'? These aren't just random geographical and botanical choices. They carry deep symbolic weight in the ancient world and for Israel.
The 'Lebanon' and the 'cedar' in this passage are not literal. They represent the heart of the nation of Judah, particularly its royalty and leadership:
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By bringing this imagery to life, God is showing Ezekiel that the invasion is not just a political event, but an attack on the very heart of Israel's covenant identity and its divinely appointed leadership.
Understand the original words
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenantal name of God, YHWH, often appearing as 'Adonai YHWH' in Ezekiel to signify His sovereign authority as Lord and Master over all creation and specifically over His people.
nesher · Hebrew Noun
In biblical imagery, large birds of prey—often representing great imperial powers like Babylon or Egypt—symbolize strength, swiftness, and the ability to swoop down to conquer or carry away nations.
Lebanon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A mountain range noted for its majestic cedar trees; it represents the glory, stability, and height of Israel's kingship or national pride, often standing as a symbol of prominence that is subject to God's judgment.
erez · Hebrew Noun
An evergreen tree renowned for its strength, size, and longevity. Biblically, it frequently symbolizes the glory, power, and leadership of kingdoms or individuals, particularly the Davidic line.
kena'an · Hebrew Noun
A place characterized by commercial activity and international business. In this context, it represents a foreign power or pagan culture where captives or leaders are taken to serve the interests of an empire.
This prophecy unfolds against the backdrop of Judah's escalating political crisis and its repeated cycles of rebellion and Babylonian retribution. The imagery of the eagle powerfully depicts Nebuchadnezzar's overwhelming might and the devastating consequences for Jerusalem's leadership.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and deports some of its citizens, including members of the royal family and prominent individuals, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
c. 598 BC
Jehoiakim's Rebellion and Death
King Jehoiakim of Judah rebels against Babylonian rule. He dies during the Babylonian siege or shortly after, possibly before Nebuchadnezzar himself arrived.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Jehoiachin's Reign and Deportation
Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's son, reigns for only three months before surrendering Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar. He and many other leading citizens are deported to Babylon. This event is central to Ezekiel's prophecy.
c. 597 BC
Zedekiah Appointed King
Nebuchadnezzar installs Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, as king of Judah. Zedekiah is made to swear an oath of loyalty to Babylon, though he later breaks it.
c. 589-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Zedekiah rebels against Babylon, leading to a prolonged siege of Jerusalem. The city eventually falls, its temple is destroyed, and most of the remaining population is exiled.
This passage also uses the imagery of an eagle to represent the swift and powerful conquest of a nation, directly comparing the king of Babylon to an eagle swooping down on Moab, much like Nebuchadnezzar in Ezekiel.
Daniel 7:4The book of Daniel describes a series of great beasts rising from the sea, with the first resembling a lion with eagle's wings, symbolizing the Babylonian empire and its king. This echoes Ezekiel's imagery of a powerful, winged entity dominating other nations.
Isaiah 46:11While this passage refers to Cyrus the Persian as a 'bird of prey from the east,' it shares the theme of a powerful, divinely appointed conqueror likened to a bird of prey, highlighting how God uses even fierce rulers to accomplish His purposes.
Ezekiel 31:3This chapter further develops the imagery of powerful trees and nations, describing a mighty cedar in Lebanon that was surpassed by even greater trees, a metaphor that complements Ezekiel's use of the cedar to represent the Davidic kingdom.
ellicottEzekiel 17:3: "And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:"
(3) A great eagle with great wings. —In the original “ the great eagle.” This is explained in Ezekiel 17:12 of “the king of Babylon.” Nebuchadnezzar is compared to an eagle also in Jeremiah 48:40 ; Jeremiah 49:22 ; and Cyrus to a bird of prey in Isaiah 46:11 . He has great and long wings, because he…
cambridgeEzekiel 17:3: "And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:"
3 . longwinged ] With long pinions. The eagle was also of “divers colours” or speckled, with reference possibly to the very diverse nationalities included in the Babylonian empire. came unto Lebanon ] The figure of the eagle coming to Lebanon and cropping off the highest branch and top of the young…
The description of the eagle's "plumage of many colors" isn't just about beauty; it highlights the vastness and diversity of the empire this invading power (Babylon) held, encompassing many different peoples and nations. This detail emphasizes the sheer scope of the impending judgment on Jerusalem.
God's prophet is about to deliver a complex parable involving powerful imagery. This passage sets the stage by introducing a fearsome, multi-colored eagle that descends upon Lebanon, seizing the tallest part of a cedar tree, which symbolizes the Davidic royal line and the nation of Judah. This dramatic act foreshadows the impending Babylonian invasion and the deportation of King Jehoiachin.
God's prophet is about to deliver a complex parable involving powerful imagery. This passage sets the stage by introducing a fearsome, multi-colored eagle that descends upon Lebanon, seizing the tallest part of a cedar tree, which symbolizes the Davidic royal line and the nation of Judah. This dramatic act foreshadows the impending Babylonian invasion and the deportation of King Jehoiachin.
"say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar. He broke off the topmost of its young twigs and carried it to a land of trade and…" — The description of the eagle's "plumage of many colors" isn't just about beauty; it highlights the vastness and diversity of the empire this invading power (Babylon) held, encompassing many different…
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Last reviewed October 2026
