Ezekiel 31:14to 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, in the midst of the children of men, with those who go down to the pit.
The setting
587 BC, Babylon. Ezekiel concludes the cedar allegory with eternal warning. Modern-day Iraq.
The emotion here: stern but protective, like a father warning children after pointing to a car wreck
The original word
gāḇah (גָּבַהּ) — to be high, exalted, lifted up with pride and arrogance
Why it matters
This verse became a proverb in Jewish wisdom literature for centuries afterward
Read with care
What most readers miss in Ezekiel 31:14
The phrase 'trees by the waters' refers to nations with abundant resources — natural advantage breeds dangerous pride
Common misconceptionPeople think this forbids ambition or success, but it's warning against the attitude that success makes you untouchable or superior to others.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Ezekiel 31:14
Bible Genome reading
Ezekiel 31:14 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Ezekiel 31:14 comes from the book of Ezekiel, written during the Exile period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include humility, warning, pride. Notable phrases: none of all the trees; exalt themselves. This verse contains a command. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Ezekiel 31:14 mean to you, today?
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