Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: “’Who can be compared with you in majesty? New Living Translation “Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his hordes: “To whom would you compare your greatness? English Standard Version “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: “Whom are you like in your greatness? Berean Standard Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘To whom do you compare your greatness? King James Bible Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? New King James Version “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? New American Standard Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? NASB 1995 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? NASB 1977 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? Legacy Standard Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude, ‘To whom do you liken yourself in your greatness? Amplified Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? Berean Annotated Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh (great house) king of Egypt (land of bondage) and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? Christian Standard Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Who are you like in your greatness? Holman Christian Standard Bible Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: Who are you like in your greatness? American Standard Version Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness? Contemporary English Version Ezekiel, son of man, tell the king of Egypt and his people that I am saying: You are more powerful than anyone on earth. Now listen to this. English Revised Version Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? GOD'S WORD® Translation "Son of man, say to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and his many people, 'Was there ever anyone as great as you? Good News Translation "Mortal man," he said, "say to the king of Egypt and all his people: How powerful you are! What can I compare you to? International Standard Version "Son of Man, tell this to Pharaoh, king of Egypt and his gangs: 'Who do you think you are? What makes you so great? NET Bible "Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his hordes: "'Who are you like in your greatness? New Heart English Bible "Son of man, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: 'Whom are you like in your greatness? Webster's Bible Translation Son of man, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? World English Bible “Son of man, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt and his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness? Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: To whom have you been like in your greatness? Berean Literal Bible “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘To whom do you compare your greatness? Young's Literal Translation 'Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and unto his multitude: To whom hast thou been like in thy greatness? Smith's Literal Translation Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: To whom wert thou like in thy greatness? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSon of man, speak to Pharao king of Egypt, and to his people: To whom art thou like in thy greatness? Catholic Public Domain Version “Son of man, speak to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to his people: To whom can you be compared in your greatness? New American Bible Son of man, say to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to his hordes: In your greatness, whom do you resemble? New Revised Standard Version Mortal, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes: Whom are you like in your greatness? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSon of man, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his armed forces: To whom do you liken yourself in your greatness? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Son of man, say to Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and to his mighty ones: ‘To whom are you like in your greatness? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Son of man, say unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom art thou like in thy greatness? Brenton Septuagint Translation Son of man, say to Pharao king of Egypt, and to his multitude; To whom hast thou compared thyself in thy haughtiness? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Egypt will Fall Like Assyria1In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? 3Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.… Cross References Son of man, Ezekiel 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” Ezekiel 2:3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. say to Pharaoh king of Egypt Exodus 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” Ezekiel 29:2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. Jeremiah 46:2 concerning Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah: and to his multitude: Ezekiel 32:18 “Son of man, wail for the multitudes of Egypt, and consign her and the daughters of the mighty nations to the depths of the earth with those who descend to the Pit: Ezekiel 32:12 I will make your hordes fall by the swords of the mighty, the most ruthless of all nations. They will ravage the pride of Egypt and all her multitudes will be destroyed. Jeremiah 46:25 The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. ‘Who can be compared to your greatness? Daniel 4:22 you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth. Daniel 4:30 the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. Daniel 4:10-12 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 46:7-8 Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters churn? / Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers, boasting, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the cities and their people.’ 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, Treasury of Scripture Son of man, speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom are you like in your greatness? speak Jeremiah 1:5,17 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations… Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. to his Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. Ezekiel 30:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. Nahum 3:8-10 Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea? … Whom Ezekiel 31:18 To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD. Isaiah 14:13,14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: … Jump to Previous Compared Egypt Great Greatness Hordes Majesty Multitude Pharaoh Power SpeakJump to Next Compared Egypt Great Greatness Hordes Majesty Multitude Pharaoh Power SpeakEzekiel 31 1. A relation unto Pharaoh3. of the glory of Assyria 10. and the fall thereof for pride 18. The like destruction of Egypt Son of man This phrase is a common title used for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a prophet. It is used over 90 times in the book of Ezekiel. The term "son of man" is also significant in the New Testament, where it is frequently used by Jesus to refer to Himself, highlighting His incarnation and fulfillment of prophecy. say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude Who can be compared to your greatness? Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God, called to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. 2. Pharaoh, King of Egypt The ruler of Egypt, representing a powerful nation often seen as a symbol of pride and opposition to God. 3. Egypt A significant nation in biblical history, often depicted as a place of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites. 4. The Multitude Refers to the people of Egypt, under the leadership of Pharaoh, who are being addressed in this prophecy. 5. The Greatness The perceived power and majesty of Egypt, which is being questioned and challenged by God through Ezekiel. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideJust as Egypt's greatness is questioned, we must be wary of pride in our own lives, recognizing that all power and success come from God. God's Sovereignty Over Nations This passage reminds us that no nation or leader is beyond God's control and judgment. The Illusion of Earthly Greatness Earthly power and majesty are temporary and can be swiftly overturned by God's will. The Role of Prophets Ezekiel's role as a messenger highlights the importance of listening to God's warnings and guidance. Reflecting on Our Own Greatness We should evaluate areas in our lives where we might be relying on our own strength rather than God's. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 31:2?2. How does Ezekiel 31:2 illustrate God's sovereignty over nations and leaders? 3. What lessons can modern nations learn from the "greatness" described in Ezekiel 31:2? 4. How does Ezekiel 31:2 connect with God's judgment in other Old Testament passages? 5. In what ways can believers apply the warnings of pride from Ezekiel 31:2? 6. How does Ezekiel 31:2 encourage humility and reliance on God in leadership? 7. What does Ezekiel 31:2 reveal about God's judgment on prideful nations? 8. How does Ezekiel 31:2 relate to the historical context of Egypt and Assyria? 9. Why does God use the imagery of a great tree in Ezekiel 31:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 31? 11. How does Ezekiel 31 fit chronologically within the wider narrative of Babylonian conquest, and are there any historical inconsistencies? 12. Why does Isaiah 19's prophecy differ from other prophetic passages about Egypt (e.g., Ezekiel 29) if they both claim divine judgment? 13. Why do some details, like the global reach of the cedar, seem overstated or impossible if this chapter is a warning or prophecy about ancient Mesopotamia? 14. According to Ezekiel 30:13, idols in Egypt would be destroyed and images removed; where is the evidence for this large-scale religious purging in Egyptian history? What Does Ezekiel 31:2 Mean Son of man• God repeatedly addresses Ezekiel this way (Ezekiel 2:1; 3:1), reminding the prophet—and us—that the messenger is merely human while the message is divine. • The phrase underscores Ezekiel’s accountability: he must relay God’s words exactly as given (Ezekiel 3:17–18). • It also highlights the reliability of Scripture; the words that follow are not Ezekiel’s opinions but God’s authoritative revelation (2 Peter 1:20–21). say to Pharaoh king of Egypt • The target is the reigning Pharaoh, representing the whole Egyptian empire. Earlier prophecies had already warned Egypt of coming judgment (Ezekiel 29:2–6; 30:10–12). • By naming Pharaoh, God shows He deals personally with rulers, just as He confronted Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27:6) and earlier Pharaohs (Exodus 5:1–2). • This reinforces that no earthly power is beyond God’s reach (Psalm 2:1–4). and to his multitude • God’s word extends beyond the throne room to every level of Egyptian society—army, officials, common people (Ezekiel 30:4–5). • Collective accountability is a biblical theme: Nineveh repented together (Jonah 3:5), while Israel often suffered together for national sin (2 Chronicles 36:15–17). • The multitude’s inclusion shows that following a proud leader can invite shared consequences (Proverbs 16:5). Who can be compared to your greatness? • On the surface, the question echoes Egypt’s own propaganda of unmatched splendor (Isaiah 19:11–13). • Yet the context (Ezekiel 31:3–18) immediately undercuts the boast by comparing Egypt to Assyria’s towering “cedar” that God felled. • The rhetorical question therefore exposes pride: Egypt sees itself as peerless, but God will soon prove otherwise (Ezekiel 30:18; 31:10–11). • Scripture consistently warns that self-exaltation invites divine humbling—whether Babylon (Isaiah 14:13–15), Edom (Obadiah 3–4), or Herod (Acts 12:22–23). • The verse invites sober reflection on misplaced confidence: greatness measured without reference to God is fragile and temporary (Jeremiah 9:23–24). summary Ezekiel 31:2 functions as God’s opening salvo against Egypt’s pride. Calling Ezekiel “son of man” grounds the message in God’s authority; addressing Pharaoh and his multitude shows universal accountability; and the question “Who can be compared to your greatness?” exposes Egypt’s self-glorification that will soon collapse under divine judgment. The verse reminds every reader that genuine greatness is defined and judged by the Lord alone. (2) His multitude.--The word means literally tumult, and applies to the multitude as influenced by whatever is the occasion of tumult: their wealth, their idols, their sources of pride of every kind.Verse 2. - The parable is addressed, not to Pharaoh only, but to his multitude i.e., as in Ezekiel 30:4, for his auxiliary forces. It opens with one of the customary formulae of an Eastern apologue (Mark 4:30), intended to sharpen the curiosity and win the attention of the prophet's hearers or readers. It is significant that the question is repeated at the close of the parable, as if the prophet had left the interpretation to his readers, as our Lord does in saying, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Sonבֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of man, אָדָ֕ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being say אֱמֹ֛ר (’ĕ·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Pharaoh פַּרְעֹ֥ה (par·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Egypt מִצְרַ֖יִם (miṣ·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa and to וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to his multitude: הֲמוֹנ֑וֹ (hă·mō·w·nōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth ‘Who מִ֖י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can be compared דָּמִ֥יתָ (dā·mî·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1819: To compare, to resemble, liken, consider to your greatness? בְגָדְלֶֽךָ׃ (ḇə·ḡā·ḏə·le·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1433: Magnitude Links Ezekiel 31:2 NIVEzekiel 31:2 NLT Ezekiel 31:2 ESV Ezekiel 31:2 NASB Ezekiel 31:2 KJV Ezekiel 31:2 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 31:2 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 31:2 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 31:2 French Bible Ezekiel 31:2 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 31:2 Son of man tell Pharaoh king (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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