Ezekiel 17:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Septuagint elaborates, stating: I will take from among the chosen cedars, from the top, and I will gather the heartwood from its branches to plant upon the high mountain, ultimately placing it on the majestic mountain of Israel. It shall sprout forth a branch, bear fruit, and grow into a grand cedar, under which every bird shall rest, and every feathered creature shall find refuge in its shade. Its branches will return to their original condition, and all the trees of the field will know that I am the Lord, who humbles the exalted and raises the humble, who causes the lush tree to wither and brings life to the lifeless.

The actual Nebuchadnezzar does this, taking from the finest part of the cedar, from the top of its branches, so that his kingdom remains lowly and not lifted high. Yet the Lord God, the Almighty Father, who spoke to Ezekiel, selects from the lineage of the king, specifically from the house of David, to place on the majestic mountain one who proclaims in the psalm, “But I have been made king by Him over Zion, His holy mountain.” For the ruler has departed from Judah, and the leader from Israel, until those designated for him arrive, and He is the hope of the nations. He sprouted a branch, bore fruit, and surpassed all the cedars in height, resulting in all the birds of the air dwelling under Him, with all feathered creatures protected by His shade.

Of Him, Habakkuk said, “The rays shine from His hand; there His power is concealed,” and He wishes to gather His own like a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, so that all the trees of the field may realize that He is Lord. In a symbolic interpretation pertaining to believers, He once brought low the high tree of Israel and raised up the humble Gentile nations, caused the green tree of the Jews—which flourished through the law and the prophets—to wither, and transformed the dry tree of the Gentiles into flourishing life, fulfilling what He always professed.

This reflects Simeon's proclamation in the Gospel: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many.” And regarding the mustard seed, which, though the smallest of all seeds, grows to become a haven for birds. Others interpret the high tree, which becomes low, and the low tree, which rises high, as a foreshadowing of the suffering of the Savior. Though He was in the likeness of God and not in equality with God, He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant, and following His resurrection, the tree itself was elevated. Previously flourishing, it was withered by death but, having revived, regained its former strength.

Some, like the Jews, associate both trees with Israel, as during the first coming, it was lowly and withered, but at the second coming, it will return to its former glory, as affirmed by Paul who preached that the fullness of the nations will come in, and all Israel will be saved.