Ezekiel 31 - Introduction

Chapter 31 The Fifth Oracle Against Egypt. The Great Cypress Tree.

This chapter is split into three sections, the parable of the great cypress tree which likens Pharaoh and his people to a great cypress (Ezekiel 31:2), its downfall at the hand of foreigners (Ezekiel 31:10) and its descent into Sheol (Ezekiel 31:15). The oracle is dated June 587/6 BC, two months after the previous oracle.

For the theme compare Ezekiel 17:1; Ezekiel 17:22. See also Ezekiel 19:10; Ezekiel 26:19; Ezekiel 28:11.