Ezekiel 17:6
New International Version
and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.

New Living Translation
It took root there and grew into a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned up toward the eagle, and its roots grew down into the ground. It produced strong branches and put out shoots.

English Standard Version
and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine, and its branches turned toward him, and its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out boughs.

Berean Standard Bible
It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots.

King James Bible
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

New King James Version
And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature; Its branches turned toward him, But its roots were under it. So it became a vine, Brought forth branches, And put forth shoots.

New American Standard Bible
Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced shoots and sent out branches.

NASB 1995
“Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

NASB 1977
“Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine, and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine with its foliage turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

Amplified Bible
Then it sprouted and grew and became a low, spreading vine whose branches turned [in submission] toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and yielded shoots and sent out branches.

Christian Standard Bible
It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height with its branches turned toward him, yet its roots stayed under it. So it became a vine, produced branches, and sent out shoots.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height with its branches turned toward him, yet its roots stayed under it. So it became a vine, produced branches, and sent out shoots.

American Standard Version
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Contemporary English Version
The seed sprouted and grew into a grapevine that spread over the ground. It had lots of leaves and strong, deep roots, and its branches grew upward toward the eagle.

English Revised Version
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The plant sprouted and grew into a low vine that spread over the ground. Its branches turned upward toward the eagle, but its roots grew downward. So it became a vine, producing branches and growing shoots.

Good News Translation
The plant sprouted and became a low, wide-spreading grapevine. The branches grew upward toward the eagle, and the roots grew deep. The vine was covered with branches and leaves.

International Standard Version
It flourished and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, and its roots spread under him to become a vine that put out shoots and spread out its branches.

Majority Standard Bible
It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots.

NET Bible
It sprouted and became a vine, spreading low to the ground; its branches turning toward him, its roots were under itself. So it became a vine; it produced shoots and sent out branches.

New Heart English Bible
It grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned towards him, and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

World English Bible
It grew and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and its roots were under him. So it became a vine, produced branches, and shot out sprigs.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it springs up, and becomes a spreading vine, humble of stature, "" To turn its thin shoots toward itself, "" And its roots are under it, "" And it becomes a vine, and makes boughs, "" And sends forth beautiful branches.

Young's Literal Translation
And it springeth up, and becometh a spreading vine, humble of stature, To turn its thin shoots toward itself, And its roots are under it, And it becometh a vine, and maketh boughs, And sendeth forth beauteous branches.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will spring up, and it will be for a spreading vine low of stature, for its branches turning towards him, and its roots will be under him: and it will be for a vine, and it will make branches, and it will send forth foliage.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it sprung up and grew into a spreading vine of low stature, and the branches thereof looked towards him: and the roots thereof were under him. So it became a vine, and grew into branches, and shot forth sprigs.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when it had germinated, it increased into a more extensive vine, low in height, with its branches facing toward itself. And its roots were underneath it. And so, it became a vine, and sprouted branches, and produced shoots.

New American Bible
That it might sprout and become a vine, dense and low-lying, With its branches turned toward him, its roots beneath it. Thus it became a vine, produced branches, and put forth shoots.

New Revised Standard Version
It sprouted and became a vine spreading out, but low; its branches turned toward him, its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine; it brought forth branches, put forth foliage.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it sprang up and grew into a spreading vine of low stature, so that its branches turned toward him and its roots were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches and shot forth tendrils.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it sprouted up and it was a sickly vine, short of stature, that its shoots would appear upon it, and its roots shall be under it, and it was a vine and it made shoots and it stretched forth its shoots
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it grew, and became a spreading vine Of low stature, Whose tendrils might turn toward him, And the roots thereof be under him; So it became a vine, and brought forth branches, And shot forth sprigs.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it sprang up, and became a weak and little vine, so that the branches thereof appeared upon it, and its roots were under it: and it became a vine, and put forth shoots, and sent forth its tendrils.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
5He took some of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil; he placed it by abundant waters and set it out like a willow. 6It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots. 7But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.…

Cross References
Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Jeremiah 12:2
You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Psalm 80:8-11
You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ...

Isaiah 27:6
In the days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Mark 4:30-32
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? / It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. / But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

John 15:1-5
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Jeremiah 17:8
He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

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.

Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...

Isaiah 60:21
Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.


Treasury of Scripture

And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

it grew

Ezekiel 17:14
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

Proverbs 16:18,19
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall…

whose

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Boughs Branches Foliage Forth Grew Low Produced Roots Shoots Shot Spreading Sprigs Stature Stood Tendrils Thereof Towards Turned Vine Yielded
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Boughs Branches Foliage Forth Grew Low Produced Roots Shoots Shot Spreading Sprigs Stature Stood Tendrils Thereof Towards Turned Vine Yielded
Ezekiel 17
1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine
11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt
22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel














It sprouted and became a spreading vine
This phrase symbolizes the initial growth and expansion of the kingdom of Judah under the influence of Babylon. The vine represents the people of Judah, who were allowed to remain in their land and experience some prosperity despite being under Babylonian control. The imagery of a vine is often used in Scripture to depict Israel (Psalm 80:8-11, Isaiah 5:1-7), emphasizing growth and potential for fruitfulness.

low in height
The vine being "low in height" indicates Judah's subservient position under Babylonian rule. Although they were allowed to grow, their autonomy and power were limited. This reflects the historical context of Judah's vassal status after King Jehoiachin was taken to Babylon and Zedekiah was installed as a puppet king (2 Kings 24:17).

with branches turned toward him
The branches turning toward "him" signifies Judah's allegiance to Babylon, represented by King Nebuchadnezzar. This allegiance was politically necessary for survival, as Zedekiah had sworn an oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:13). The turning of branches can also be seen as a metaphor for dependence and submission.

yet its roots remained where it stood
Despite the political subjugation, the roots remaining in place suggest that Judah retained its cultural and religious identity. The roots symbolize stability and continuity, indicating that the people of Judah were still connected to their land and heritage, even in a time of political upheaval.

So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots
This part of the verse highlights the potential for growth and expansion, despite the limitations imposed by Babylonian rule. The vine's ability to yield branches and send out shoots suggests resilience and the possibility of future prosperity. This imagery can be connected to the hope of restoration and the eventual coming of the Messiah, who is often depicted as a branch or shoot (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5). The vine's growth, despite its low stature, points to God's ongoing plan for His people, even in times of adversity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book and the one who delivers God's messages to the Israelites.

2. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took many of its people, including Ezekiel, into exile.

3. Israel
The nation to whom the prophecy is directed, represented metaphorically as a vine in this passage.

4. The Eagle
In the broader context of Ezekiel 17, the eagle represents Babylon, which has influence over Israel.

5. The Vine
Symbolizes the kingdom of Judah, which is under Babylonian control and influence.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God
Just as the vine's roots remained under it, we must remain rooted in God to grow and thrive spiritually.

Influence and Direction
The branches turned toward the eagle, symbolizing external influence. We must be cautious of worldly influences that can divert us from God's path.

Humility and Growth
The vine was low in height, reminding us that true growth in God's kingdom often comes through humility and submission to His will.

Fruitfulness
The vine produced branches and shoots, illustrating the natural outcome of a life rooted in God—spiritual fruitfulness.

Covenant Faithfulness
The imagery calls Israel to remember their covenant with God and the consequences of turning away from Him.(6) A spreading vine of low stature.--Had Zedekiah been faithful to his oath and allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar and to his higher allegiance to God, Israel might have been fruitful and prosperous as a dependent kingdom.

Whose branches turned towards him.--Better, That its branches might turn towards him, and its roots might be under him. This was Nebuchadnezzar's object--to make of Israel a flourishing kingdom, which should yet be entirely dependent upon himself and helpful to him in his great struggle with the power of Egypt; and hence his especial rage when his politic arrangements were frustrated by Zedekiah's treachery and folly.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It sprouted
וַיִּצְמַ֡ח (way·yiṣ·maḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6779: To sprout, spring up

and became
וַיְהִי֩ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a spreading
סֹרַ֜חַת (sō·ra·ḥaṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5628: To go free, be unrestrained, overrun, exceed

vine,
לְגֶ֨פֶן (lə·ḡe·p̄en)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1612: A vine, the grape

low
שִׁפְלַ֣ת (šip̄·laṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8217: Depressed

in height
קוֹמָ֗ה (qō·w·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6967: Height

with branches
דָּלִיּוֹתָיו֙ (dā·lî·yō·w·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1808: Something dangling, a bough

turned
לִפְנ֤וֹת (lip̄·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

toward him;
אֵלָ֔יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

yet its roots
וְשָׁרָשָׁ֖יו (wə·šā·rā·šāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8328: A root

remained
יִֽהְי֑וּ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

where it stood.
תַּחְתָּ֣יו (taḥ·tāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

So it became
וַתְּהִ֣י (wat·tə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a vine
לְגֶ֔פֶן (lə·ḡe·p̄en)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1612: A vine, the grape

and yielded
וַתַּ֣עַשׂ (wat·ta·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

branches,
בַּדִּ֔ים (bad·dîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

and sent out
וַתְּשַׁלַּ֖ח (wat·tə·šal·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

shoots.
פֹּארֽוֹת׃ (pō·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6288: Ornamentation, foliage, as bright green


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:6 It grew and became a spreading vine (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:5
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