Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What seems like a straightforward description of Assyria is actually a subtle correction: the text emphasizes that this powerful "cedar" wasn't naturally from Assyria but was like the grandest trees from Lebanon, highlighting its imposing stature and expansive influence which ultimately made it a target. The "shadowing shroud" isn't just shade, but speaks to its vast dominion that provided a (false) sense of security to many.
Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage begins a prophetic oracle where Ezekiel uses the imagery of a majestic cedar tree to describe the powerful and proud Assyrian empire. While the text names "the Assyrian," many scholars suggest this is a literary device to describe Egypt's pride by comparing it to the fallen Assyrian empire, which was once a global superpower. The description highlights Assyria's former glory—its imposing height, extensive influence, and flourishing branches representing its vast territories and power, setting the stage for a dramatic fall that serves as a warning.
The Bible uses powerful natural imagery to describe human power and influence. What does it mean for a nation or ruler to be like a 'cedar in Lebanon'?
Ezekiel compares Assyria to a magnificent cedar tree from the famed forests of Lebanon. This wasn't just any tree; it was the king of trees, known for its incredible height, strength, and broad, shady branches.
What the Cedar Represents:
Why would God use the example of the mighty Assyrian empire to warn Egypt? What's the connection between their fates?
This passage isn't just a description; it's a divine warning. Ezekiel is using Assyria's past glory and its eventual downfall as a powerful object lesson for Egypt.
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The Lesson of Assyria:
Understand the original words
ashshur · Hebrew Proper Noun
A major ancient empire characterized by power, conquest, and pride. In the prophets, Assyria is frequently used as an example of a nation that exalted itself and was eventually judged by God.
erez · Hebrew Noun
A conifer tree native to the mountains of Lebanon, known for its size, strength, durability, and beauty. Biblically, it often symbolizes majesty, strength, pride, and sometimes the glory of God's creation or the arrogance of earthly kingdoms.
This imagery of Assyria as a mighty cedar vividly contrasts its former grandeur with its sudden and complete destruction, serving as a stark warning to Egypt, which had become entangled in the declining empire's affairs.
c. 745 BC
Tiglath-Pileser III Restores Assyria
Assyria, previously in decline, is revitalized by Tiglath-Pileser III, beginning a new era of expansion and dominance in the Near East.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire, under Sargon II, conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and solidifying Assyrian control over the region.
689 BC
Sennacherib Destroys Babylon
King Sennacherib of Assyria brutally sacks and destroys the city of Babylon, showcasing the empire's immense power and ruthlessness.
612 BC— this verse
Fall of Nineveh
The combined forces of Babylonians and Medes besiege and destroy the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, marking the end of the Assyrian Empire.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, decisively defeat the Egyptian forces, establishing Babylonian supremacy in the region.
This passage uses the same imagery of a tall, magnificent tree (a cedar) to describe Nebuchadnezzar's power and reach, highlighting the theme of imperial pride and its connection to divine judgment.
Ezekiel 17:3This passage also employs the cedar-of-Lebanon metaphor to describe a king and his kingdom, emphasizing the theme of powerful rulers and the potential for their downfall due to their own actions.
Isaiah 14:13This verse directly parallels the 'top among the clouds' imagery, showing a similar aspiration for exaltation and self-elevation that ultimately leads to a divine judgment.
Psalm 80:9This Psalm refers to Israel as a 'vine' or 'cedar' that God transplanted from Egypt, touching on the idea of divine planting and flourishing, which contrasts with the self-made grandeur described in Ezekiel 31.
bensonEzekiel 31:3: "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs."
Ezekiel 31:3-9 . Behold the Assyrian — This, says Archbishop Secker, seems an admonitory comparison of Pharaoh to the late Assyrian monarch, applied to Pharaoh, Ezekiel 31:18 . By the Assyrian, compared here to a tall and fair cedar, such as grew in mount Lebanon, Archbishop Usher and Dr. Prideaux understand that king of Ass…
barnesEzekiel 31:3: "Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs."
Fifth prophecy against Egypt: a warning to Pharaoh from the fate of the Assyrians. The Assyrian empire, after having been supreme in Asia for four centuries, had been overthrown by the united forces of the Babylonians and Medes, in the year of the battle of Carchemish (605 b.c.), which had broken the power of Egypt. This giv…
What seems like a straightforward description of Assyria is actually a subtle correction: the text emphasizes that this powerful "cedar" wasn't naturally from Assyria but was like the grandest trees from Lebanon, highlighting its imposing stature and expansive influence which ultimately made it a target. The "shadowing shroud" isn't just shade, but speaks to its vast dominion that provided a (false) sense of security to many.
This passage begins a prophetic oracle where Ezekiel uses the imagery of a majestic cedar tree to describe the powerful and proud Assyrian empire. While the text names "the Assyrian," many scholars suggest this is a literary device to describe Egypt's pride by comparing it to the fallen Assyrian empire, which was once a global superpower. The description highlights Assyria's former glory—its imposing height, extensive influence, and flourishing branches representing its vast territories and power, setting the stage for a dramatic fall that serves as a warning.
This passage begins a prophetic oracle where Ezekiel uses the imagery of a majestic cedar tree to describe the powerful and proud Assyrian empire. While the text names "the Assyrian," many scholars suggest this is a literary device to describe Egypt's pride by comparing it to the fallen Assyrian empire, which was once a global superpower. The description highlights Assyria's former glory—its imposing height, extensive influence, and flourishing branches representing its vast territories and power, setting the stage for a dramatic fall that serves as a warning.
"Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds." — What seems like a straightforward description of Assyria is actually a subtle correction: the text emphasizes that this powerful "cedar" wasn't naturally from Assyria but was like the grandest trees…
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Last reviewed October 2026