Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 31:6
All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
6. The “fowls” and “beasts” are as much figurative as the tree; they are probably interpreted by “nations” in the end of the verse; cf. Eze 17:23; Dan 4:12; Dan 4:14. But see Jer 27:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
All the fowls; not every individual, but all sorts and kinds of men and people, nobles, merchants, husbandmen, likened to fowls.
Made their nests; did settle their habitations and families, expecting what they found, safety and rest, and hoping what did ensue, an increase of their children and posterity, as birds do in a quiet and safe nest.
In his boughs; in his kingdom, in the cities or towns of it.
Under his branches; the very same thing expressed by a new hieroglyphic. Beasts here are people, the field is the countries round about, their bringing forth their young includes their making their dens, that is, mens building, begetting children, and breeding them under his branches, under his government and protection.
Under his shadow dwelt all great nations: this gives some light to the riddle. No nation, that was great at that time in the world, but either owned the dominion, or sought the alliance and friendship, of this king and kingdom.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. fowls . . . made . . . nests in .. . boughsso Eze 17:23;Dan 4:12. The gospel kingdomshall gather all under its covert, for their good and for the gloryof God, which the world kingdoms did for evil and forself-aggrandizement (Mt 13:32).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
All the fowls of the heavens made their nests in his boughs,…. People from all parts of the world, under the whole heavens, flocked to his dominions, and settled themselves in one province or another; promising themselves protection, prosperity, and peace under his government:
and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young; even people of a more savage disposition, being either conquered by him, and placed in his provinces; or coming thither of their own accord, took up their residence there, built houses, planted vineyards, married wives, begat children, and settled their families there:
and under his shadow dwelt all great nations; under his protection, care, and government, many large kingdoms and states were; yea, all were either subject to him, or sought to be his friends and allies: this explains the above figurative expressions. The Targum is,
“by his army he subdued all the strong towers; and under his governors he subjected all the provinces of the earth; and in the shadow of his kingdom dwelt all the numerous people.”
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) All the fowls of heaven.Comp. Eze. 17:23; Dan. 4:21.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Compare Dan 4:12. This was as true of Egypt as of Assyria. The beasts and fowls (all the people of the earth) looked to it for protection.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Eze 31:6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Ver. 6. All the fowls. ] See Dan 4:12 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
boughs = arms. Occurs only here and in 31:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 17:23, Dan 4:12, Dan 4:21, Mat 13:32
Reciprocal: Psa 37:35 – a green bay tree Psa 104:17 – the birds Eze 31:3 – of an high Eze 31:17 – dwelt Luk 13:19 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 31:6. As a large tree would support and shelter many fowls, so the Assyrian Empire included in its folds many people of the world. This fact caused the king of Assyria to be filled with pride, just as Pharaoh was puffed up over his gains by the support from the Nile in its resources for irrigation.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Many peoples and nations benefited from the mighty kingdom of Assyria symbolized by the birds and beasts that took refuge under this tree (cf. Eze 31:12-13; Eze 17:23; Dan 4:12; Mat 13:32).