THEOSISJerome of Stridon
And the Lord spoke to me, saying, "Son of man, present a riddle and tell a parable to the house of Israel, and declare, 'Thus says the Lord God: A mighty eagle with expansive wings, lengthy limbs, fluffy and colorful in appearance, arrived at Lebanon and took the choice top of a cedar tree. He broke off its highest branches and carried them to the land of Canaan, placing them in the city of merchants. He also took seeds from that land and planted them by abundant waters, where they would take root. He positioned them with visibility so they could flourish. When they sprouted, they grew into a vine that spread wide, low in height, with branches directed upward and roots beneath. It became a mighty vine, producing branches and expanding them."
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When instructed to "Speak a riddle and tell a parable," it indicates that the words hold deeper meanings; for it is evident that parables communicate concepts in veiled terms. Even the Savior employed parables for the crowds, offering explanations separately to His disciples. Thus, we ought to interpret a riddle and a parable as possessing hidden significance.
Ezekiel's prophecy reveals two eagles; we will address the first and examine the second later. For now, we will explore its straightforward historical interpretation. The great eagle with expansive wings, long limbs, soft plumage, or as translated in the LXX, one with numerous talons, symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Hosea also references him: "As an eagle in the house of the Lord" (Hosea 8:1). He, commanding numerous nations and supported by a vast army, approached the house of God, which signifies the temple, often referred to as Lebanon in scripture. Zechariah mentions, "Open your doors, O Lebanon, so that fire may devour your cedars. Wail, O fir tree, for the cedar has fallen; the mighty are in great distress" (Zechariah 11:1-2). The temple, once glorious and towering, is frequently identified as Lebanon in the scriptures.
He took the choice part of the cedar and removed its highest branches, carrying them into the land of Canaan, placing them in a fortified city. Instead of merchants, the LXX renders this as a walled city. This refers to Jehoiachin, king of the Jews, whom Nebuchadnezzar captured along with his mother, the leaders of the people, all of Jerusalem's wealth, and the temple vessels, transporting them to Babylon in the land of Canaan, where he spent his days. From his lineage, as indicated by Matthew the Evangelist (Matthew 1), our Lord and Savior was born through Salathiel and Zerubbabel.
Furthermore, Nebuchadnezzar brought forth from the same royal heritage Matthaniah, the paternal uncle of Jehoiachin, whose name he changed to Zedekiah and appointed as king in Jerusalem, placing him over many nations. However, he placed him visibly rather than granting him a substantial governance rooted in authority; instead, he remained subject to Babylonian control. Though Zedekiah ruled over Judah, his stature was low, and his branches turned toward Babylon, indicating reliance on the authority of the king of Babylon.
This is revealed in the scripture by the small stature of the vine, its branches leaning toward the eagle. The LXX clarifies that the planted vine sprung up, weak and small, such that only its branches were apparent, signifying that although it appeared as a kingdom, the actual reign was fragile and determined by the will of the Babylonian ruler. This insight relates to our current analysis, and we will elaborate further as we continue.