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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 17 - Verse 9

17:9
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

Meaning

This verse, attributed to the Lord GOD, conveys a message of impending judgment and destruction. The verse questions whether a certain entity will prosper, implying that it will not. The imagery used of pulling up roots and cutting off fruit emphasizes the thoroughness of the devastation that will be brought upon this entity. The verse prophesies that this entity will wither, losing all its leaves in spring, even without the need for great power or many people to accomplish this destruction. This serves as a warning that destruction will come swiftly and decisively, leaving nothing behind to flourish. The verse reflects the power and authority of the Lord GOD to bring about judgments on those who go against His will, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is conveying a message from the Lord God regarding the fate of a particular plant or nation. The imagery of pulling up roots and cutting off fruit symbolizes destruction and judgment. The phrase "it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring" emphasizes the thoroughness of this judgment, suggesting that all aspects of the nation or plant will suffer. The phrase "even without great power or many people to pluck it up" underscores the idea that this destruction will come not from external forces, but as a result of divine will. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the sovereignty and power of God in executing judgment on those who have turned away from Him. It serves as a warning to nations and individuals alike to heed the word of the Lord and avoid the consequences of disobedience.

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