Ezekiel 31:14
New International Version
Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortals who go down to the realm of the dead.

New Living Translation
Let the tree of no other nation proudly exult in its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds and it be watered from the depths. For all are doomed to die, to go down to the depths of the earth. They will land in the pit along with everyone else on earth.

English Standard Version
All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to towering height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For they are all given over to death, to the world below, among the children of man, with those who go down to the pit.

Berean Standard Bible
This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’

King James Bible
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

New King James Version
So that no trees by the waters may ever again exalt themselves for their height, nor set their tops among the thick boughs, that no tree which drinks water may ever be high enough to reach up to them. ‘For they have all been delivered to death, To the depths of the earth, Among the children of men who go down to the Pit.’

New American Standard Bible
so that all the trees by the waters will not be exalted in their stature, nor put their tops among the clouds, nor will any of their well-watered mighty ones stand straight in their height. For they have all been turned over to death, to the earth beneath, among mankind, with those who go down to the pit.”

NASB 1995
so that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.”

NASB 1977
in order that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.”

Legacy Standard Bible
so that all the trees by the waters may not be lofty in their height, nor put their top among the clouds, nor their dominant ones—all the well-watered ones—stand in their loftiness. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.”

Amplified Bible
so that none of the trees by the waters may exalt themselves because of their height, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand [arrogantly] in their height. For they have all been handed over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit (the grave).”

Christian Standard Bible
This happened so that no trees planted beside water would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and so that no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the underworld, among the people who descend to the Pit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This happened so that no trees planted beside water would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and so that no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the underworld, among the people who descend to the Pit.”

American Standard Version
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up on their height, even all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Contemporary English Version
Never again will any tree dare to grow as tall as this tree, no matter how much water it has. Every tree must die, just as humans die and go down to the world of the dead.

English Revised Version
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up in their height, even all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then all the other trees growing by the water were kept from becoming arrogant because of their height, and their tops were no longer allowed to reach the clouds. So no tree, even if it is well-watered, will ever stand that tall. Every tree is going to die and go below the earth to join those who have died and gone down to the pit.

Good News Translation
And so from now on, no tree, no matter how well-watered it is, will grow that tall again or push its top through the clouds and reach such a height. All of them are doomed to die like mortals, doomed to join those who go down to the world of the dead."

International Standard Version
As a result, none of its watered trees will grow tall, their tops will never reach to the clouds, and they'll never grow so high again, because all of them have been appointed to death in the world beneath where human beings go, that is, down to the Pit.'"

Majority Standard Bible
This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’

NET Bible
For this reason no watered trees will grow so tall; their tops will not reach into the clouds, nor will the well-watered ones grow that high. For all of them have been appointed to die in the lower parts of the earth; they will be among mere mortals, with those who descend to the pit.

New Heart English Bible
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up on their height, even all who drink water: for they are all delivered to death, to the lower parts of the earth, among human beings who go down to the pit.'

Webster's Bible Translation
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their hight, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their hight, all that drink water: for they are all delivered to death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

World English Bible
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, and don’t set their top among the thick boughs. Their mighty ones don’t stand up on their height, even all who drink water; for they are all delivered to death, to the lower parts of the earth, among the children of men, with those who go down to the pit.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In order that none of the trees of the waters "" May become haughty because of their stature, "" Nor give their foliage between thickets, "" Nor any drinking waters stand up to them in their haughtiness, "" For all of them are given up to death, "" To the lower earth, "" In the midst of the sons of men, "" To those going down to the pit.

Young's Literal Translation
In order that none of the trees of the waters May become haughty because of their stature, Nor give their foliage between thickets, Nor any drinking waters stand up unto them in their haughtiness, For all of them are given up to death, Unto the earth -- the lower part, In the midst of the sons of men, Unto those going down to the pit.

Smith's Literal Translation
So that all the trees of the waters shall not be lifted up in height, and they shall not give their foliage between the thick boughs, and all they drinking water shall not stand upon them in their height: for they all were given to death, to the earth underneath, in the midst of the sons of man, to those going down to the pit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause none of the trees by the waters shall exalt themselves for their height: nor shoot up their tops among the thick branches and leaves, neither shall any of them that are watered stand up in their height: for they are all delivered unto death to the lowest parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down into the pit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, none of the trees among the waters will exalt themselves because of their height, nor will they place their summits above the thick branches and foliage, nor will any of those that are irrigated stand out because of their height. For they have all been delivered unto death, to the lowest part of the earth, into the midst of the sons of men, those who descend into the pit.

New American Bible
This has happened so no well-watered tree will gain such lofty height, or lift its crown to the clouds. Not one of those fed by water will tower in height over the rest. For all of them are destined for death, for the underworld, among mere mortals, with those who go down to the pit.

New Revised Standard Version
All this is in order that no trees by the waters may grow to lofty height or set their tops among the clouds, and that no trees that drink water may reach up to them in height. For all of them are handed over to death, to the world below; along with all mortals, with those who go down to the Pit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters may exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their tops among the thick boughs, nor shall any of them stand up in their height like it, all that are planted by the water; for they are all delivered to death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men who go down into the pit.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For none of the trees of waters shall exalt themselves by their height, and they shall not shoot their growth among thick growth, and they shall not stand, and none that drinks the waters shall be like them, because all of them were handed over to death, into the lower earth, among the children of men that descend into the pit
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up in their height, even all that drink water; for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
in order that none of the trees by the water should exalt themselves by reason of their size: whereas they set their top in the midst of the clouds, yet they continued not in their high state in their place, all that drank water, all were consigned to death, to the depth of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Egypt will Fall Like Assyria
13All the birds of the air nested on its fallen trunk, and all the beasts of the field lived among its boughs. 14This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’ 15This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the day it was brought down to Sheol, I caused mourning. I covered the deep because of it; I held back its rivers; its abundant waters were restrained. I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field fainted because of it.…

Cross References
Isaiah 2:12-13
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— / against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan,

Daniel 4:10-14
In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great. / The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. / Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed. ...

Isaiah 10:33-34
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Jeremiah 50:31-32
“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. / The arrogant one will stumble and fall with no one to pick him up. And I will kindle a fire in his cities to consume all those around him.”

Isaiah 14:8-11
Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.” / Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you—all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones. / They will all respond to you, saying, “You too have become weak, as we are; you have become like us!” ...

Isaiah 37:24
Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests.

Isaiah 10:18-19
The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. / The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them.

Isaiah 2:17
So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

Jeremiah 21:13-14
Behold, I am against you who dwell above the valley, atop the rocky plateau—declares the LORD—you who say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our dwellings?” / I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”

Isaiah 13:11
I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered to death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the middle of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.

the end

Deuteronomy 13:11
And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

Deuteronomy 21:21
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Nehemiah 13:18
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

stand up in their height.

delivered

Psalm 82:7
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

the nether

Ezekiel 32:18-32
Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit…

Psalm 63:9,10
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth…

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Boughs Children Death Delivered Drink Earth End Exalt Height Lower Midst Mighty Nether Ones Parts Pit Shoot Stand Stature Themselves Thick Top Trees Water Waters
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Boughs Children Death Delivered Drink Earth End Exalt Height Lower Midst Mighty Nether Ones Parts Pit Shoot Stand Stature Themselves Thick Top Trees Water Waters
Ezekiel 31
1. A relation unto Pharaoh
3. of the glory of Assyria
10. and the fall thereof for pride
18. The like destruction of Egypt














no trees by the waters
In the context of ancient Israel, trees by the waters symbolize nations or people groups that are flourishing and prosperous. The Hebrew word for "trees" (עֵץ, 'etz) often represents strength and stability. The imagery of trees by the waters is reminiscent of Psalm 1:3, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water. Here, however, the focus is on the potential for pride and self-exaltation among those who are abundantly blessed.

may exalt themselves in their height
The phrase speaks to the danger of pride and self-reliance. The Hebrew root for "exalt" (גָּבַהּ, gabah) conveys the idea of lifting oneself up. Historically, nations that grew powerful often attributed their success to their own strength rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty. This warning is a reminder of the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

or set their tops among the clouds
This imagery evokes the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4), where humanity sought to make a name for themselves by building a tower that reached the heavens. The "tops among the clouds" signifies human ambition that seeks to rival or replace divine authority. It serves as a caution against the hubris that leads to divine judgment.

no well-watered trees
The phrase "well-watered trees" suggests those who have received abundant resources and blessings. In the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, and being well-watered implied prosperity and favor. The warning here is against the complacency and arrogance that can arise from abundance, echoing the biblical theme that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

may reach them in height
This phrase underscores the futility of human efforts to achieve greatness apart from God. The emphasis on "height" reflects the biblical motif of human attempts to ascend to divine status or power, which ultimately leads to downfall. It is a call to humility and recognition of God's ultimate authority.

For they have all been consigned to death
The inevitability of death serves as a humbling reminder of human mortality. The Hebrew word for "consigned" (יָרַד, yarad) means to go down or descend, indicating a movement towards the grave. This reflects the biblical understanding that all human pride and achievement are temporary and subject to God's judgment.

to the depths of the earth
This phrase refers to Sheol, the abode of the dead in Hebrew thought. It is a place of darkness and separation from the living. The imagery of descending to the depths emphasizes the finality and seriousness of divine judgment against pride and self-exaltation.

among the sons of men who descend to the Pit
The "sons of men" is a term that highlights human frailty and mortality. The "Pit" (בּוֹר, bor) is another term for Sheol, reinforcing the theme of judgment. This serves as a sobering reminder that all humanity, regardless of status or power, is subject to God's righteous judgment. The verse calls believers to live in humility, recognizing their dependence on God and the fleeting nature of earthly power.

(14) Stand up in their height.--The original is more closely followed by the margin, stand upon themselves for their height, and the thought is that the trees (princes) shall no longer rely on their own strength and be infatuated by the prosperity which has been given them.

All that drink water is only a poetical expression for the trees. (Comp. Ezekiel 31:16.) In the constant mention of water and rivers throughout this parable there may be a covert allusion to Egypt, made fertile by the irrigation of the Nile.

To the nether parts of the earth.--See Note on Ezekiel 26:20. In the latter part of this verse the figurative is again exchanged for literal language.

Verse 14. - To the end that none, etc. With a characteristic amplitude of style, Ezekiel preaches the great lesson of the mutability of earthly greatness. This was the lesson that the history of Assyria ought to have taught the nations of the earth, and it was just that lesson that they refused to learn. They are all delivered to death. The scenery of the parable passes from Eden to Sheol, the Hades of the nations, and the prophet gives the first stroke of the imagery afterwards more fully developed in Ezekiel 32:17-32.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This happened so that
לְמַ֡עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

no other
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

trees
עֲצֵי־ (‘ă·ṣê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

by the waters
מַ֗יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

would become great
יִגְבְּה֨וּ (yiḡ·bə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty

in height
בְקוֹמָתָ֜ם (ḇə·qō·w·mā·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6967: Height

and set
יִתְּנ֤וּ (yit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

their tops
צַמַּרְתָּם֙ (ṣam·mar·tām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6788: Fleeciness, foliage

among
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the clouds,
עֲבֹתִ֔ים (‘ă·ḇō·ṯîm)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 5688: Something intwined, a string, wreath, foliage

and
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

no other
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

well-watered
שֹׁ֣תֵי (šō·ṯê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

trees
אֵלֵיהֶ֛ם (’ê·lê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

would reach
יַעַמְד֧וּ (ya·‘am·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

them in height.
בְּגָבְהָ֖ם (bə·ḡā·ḇə·hām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1363: Elation, grandeur, arrogance

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they have all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

been consigned
נִתְּנ֨וּ (nit·tə·nū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to death,
לַמָּ֜וֶת (lam·mā·weṯ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the depths
תַּחְתִּ֗ית (taḥ·tîṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 8482: Lowermost, the depths

of the earth,
אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

among
בְּת֛וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the mortals
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

who descend
י֥וֹרְדֵי (yō·wr·ḏê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to the Pit.?
בֽוֹר׃ (ḇō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 31:14 To the end that none of all (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 31:13
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