Yechezkel 31 | Egypt: the Tallest Tree in the Garden

Our chapter continues the rebuke of Egypt, focusing primarily on the sin of pride, through a striking metaphor of a tall and majestic tree in the Garden of Eden. The verses elaborate on the tree’s height and success, its vast and sprawling branches, and the many creatures that found shelter beneath it and benefited from its services. Moreover, this magnificent tree even aroused the envy of the other trees: “All the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied him” (31:9).

There are two notable parallels to our chapter. The first is found within Sefer Yechezkel itself – in the previous prophecy concerning Tyre. The most striking similarity is the use of the phrase “the garden of God” to describe both the security and confidence of the king of Tyre and that of Pharaoh. The second parallel is to Yeshayahu’s prophecy about Assyria (Chapter 14), where Yeshayahu similarly describes the arrogance of the Assyrian king and his exalted status among the nations. In his depiction of Assyria’s downfall, Yeshayahu portrays the shock and glee of the many nations in Sheol, marveling at the collapse of the mightiest empire: “Each one will speak to you: ‘Are you fallen like us now? Are like one of us?’” (Yeshayahu 14:10). Likewise, in our chapter, the nations are stunned by Egypt’s fall and await its descent into Sheol: “With the sound of his fall I made the nations tremble when I took him down to Sheol with those gone down into the Pit; in the netherworld all the trees of Eden - the best, most choice of Lebanon, all richly watered were comforted” (31:16).

Yechezkel explicitly parallels Egypt with Assyria, citing it as a precedent for the fall of a mighty empire: “Here is Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, a wood giving shade with towering heights...” (31:3). The prophecy concludes with a clear message to all trees: Any tree that elevates itself too high will ultimately be cut down: “So that no watered trees will become towering in their height or place their own crowns up among the clouds, and of all drinkers of water, none of their mighty trees will stand at their full height, for all of them will give in to death, to the netherworld, among men who descend to the Pit” (31:14).

What is the nature of this cycle of rising and falling empires? Is there an inherent flaw in a tree being tall and grand? Is there a fundamental issue with the very concept of empire? Rav Yehuda Brandes clarifies from our chapter that the people of Israel have never aspired to become an empire. The political vision of Israel is to be a stable nation, not a world power, but rather a guiding light and a spiritual force. A tree that is modest in height, but one that brings the name of God into the world.