Ezekiel 17:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Greek translation adds further nuances: I will take from the chosen cedars, from the apex, and give of its heartwood, establishing it upon the high mountain of Israel, and it will put forth a branch, bear fruit, and grow into a great cedar. Birds of all types will rest beneath it, finding refuge in its shade. Its branches will return to their former state, and the trees of the field will understand that I am the Lord, who abases the lofty and elevates the humble, withers the thriving tree, and restores the barren tree to life.

In this metaphor, Nebuchadnezzar takes from the finest part of the cedar in order that his dominion may be diminished rather than elevated. Conversely, the Almighty Father, who spoke to Ezekiel, chooses from the kingly tribe—from David's lineage—and plants one upon the exalted mountain who proclaims in the psalm, "But I have been made king by Him over Zion, His holy city" (Psalm 2:6). The leadership has departed from Judah and Israel until the anticipated one arrives, as prophesied (Gen. 49:10). He has provided a branch that bears fruit and surpasses all cedars in height, so that under Him dwell all the birds of heaven, sheltered by His shade.

Abbacum speaks of Him, stating, "The brightness is in His hands; therein lies His strength" (Abb. 3:4); He desires to gather His people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Matt. 23), that all the trees may know Him as Lord. Allegorically, regarding believers, He first abased the lofty tree of Israel and exalted the lowly Gentiles, causing the green tree of the Jews, which flourished through the law and prophets, to wither, while reviving the desolate tree of the Gentiles. He fulfills what He has always proclaimed. This understanding aligns with Simeon's proclamation in the Gospel: "Behold, this tree is set for the fall and rise of many" (Luke 2:34), as well as the mustard seed, which, though the smallest, grows to become a haven for birds (Matthew 13:32).

Some interpret the change of the lofty tree to low and the humble tree to high as a reflection of the suffering of our Lord, who, though in the divine nature, did not vie for equality with God but humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:6-7). Post-resurrection, this tree, previously withered by death, was elevated, restored to its original vigor. Others, including Jewish commentators, interpret this in relation to Israel itself, which was lowly and withered at Christ’s first coming, but will be restored to its former glory, as fulfilled by Paul’s assertion: when the fullness of the Gentiles comes, all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:25).

Zerubbabel was merely the leader of those who returned from exile; the other nations were not only unsubmitted to him but were consistently in conflict with him, which delayed the reconstruction of God's temple. If this does not appropriately describe Zerubbabel, it could hardly apply to anyone else. If they attempt to link the prophecy to the Maccabees, their deceit would be readily evident; for they belonged to the priestly lineage, not the royal line. The Prophet designates the royal lineage as the cedar, as he also stated concerning Jechoniah: the great eagle, symbolizing the royal race, perished and carried them to Babylon. Therefore, if neither Zerubbabel nor the Maccabees are associated with the prophecy, it is clear that it predicts our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who, according to the flesh, came from the lineage of David, tracing His ancestry through a succession of kings. The blessed Matthew confirms this: having mentioned Solomon, son of David, and Rehoboam, son of Solomon, he outlines the entire genealogy up to the Babylonian exile, then adds, After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah begat Salathiel (who was captured), and Salathiel begat Zerubbabel (who governed the people after returning). From this line, the Lord Christ derives His earthly lineage; thus, it is said, I will take from the elect a high cedar from the very top, that is, the root of the royal line. Similarly, it is stated: I will give from the head of its branches, from the heart of the top I will sharpen. Those captives were shaped by the king of Babylon, but the flesh that the Lord assumed was refined by Him, as previously noted, for He Himself created a human temple. And I will plant on the high mountain, distinguished from the king of Babylon. This high mountain symbolizes the glory of the Church; this is evident in the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah. It is written that in the last days, the mountain of the Lord will be exalted, and the house of God will be established at the pinnacle of the mountains. Thus, the Prophet illustrates the glory of Christ through miracles and teachings, while also predicting His suffering: I will also be crucified on the mountain of Israel. By divine permission, suffering occurred; this was clear when the Lord spoke to Pilate, informing him that he possessed no authority over Him unless granted from above. Consequently, the Prophet attributes the permission to an action: I will also hang them on the high mountain of Israel; Golgotha is high, where the cross of salvation stands. Following the suffering, he prophesies the resurrection and the spread of preaching. I will plant, and a branch shall sprout, and yield fruit, by which gathering and consuming, the world shall find hope for eternal life. All birds shall rest beneath it, elaborately stating that under its shade every fowl shall reside, not beasts, not reptiles, nor crawling creatures on the earth, but only those who soar, lifting their thoughts toward the heights. Such are the cultivators of faith, who elevate the concept of the mountain, who embody the heavenly, resting under the shade of the greatest cedar. The Prophet refers to Christ as a cedar due to His humanity, echoing the analogy of David's kingdom. The cedars are known for their endurance, just as the Lord, in His humanity, remained without sin. The vine, it is said, shall be renewed. The Prophet added this in light of Jerusalem's desolation, as if to proclaim, Do not be dismayed by the city's ruin, which will follow exile; for behold, the eternal King will emerge from it, and from Him, the vine will arise, symbolizing the apostolic authority. Therefore, it is declared that the kingdom will be reestablished in the lineage of David, in accordance with God's covenant with David. The Prophet then continues: