He cropped off the top of the twigs thereof: and carried it away into the land of Chanaan, and he set it in a city of merchants.
אֵ֛ת רֹ֥אשׁ יְנִֽיקוֹתָ֖יו קָטָ֑ף וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן בְּעִ֥יר רֹכְלִ֖ים שָׂמֽוֹ׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The peaks of the softness of the ostrog symbolize the flourishing young shoots that were severed and taken to the land of the Canaanites, representing Zedekiah. In the marketplace city, I shall position myself, referring to Jerusalem.
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, recount a tale and communicate a parable to the house of Israel. You shall declare these things, says the Lord God. He is instructed to present the prophecy in a veiled manner, so that the listeners, not fully understanding, may be motivated to seek deeper insights. When they inquire of the Prophet, they will receive an interpretation. He describes an eagle, vast and long, laden with talons. By referring to the eagle, the Prophet signifies Nebuchadnezzar, calling him great due to his infamous reputation, and expansive as he extended his reign over numerous nations. The term long in length reflects his pride and arrogance, while being full of nails represents his mighty armed forces, both cavalry and infantry.
The soldiers are likened to the eagle's talons, subordinate to the military leaders, forming the outermost defense, sharp and powerful enough to strike down and punish those who attempt to resist.
And he who is commanded to approach Lebanon illustrates that Nebuchadnezzar did not come to Jerusalem on his own accord, but rather the Almighty orchestrated his arrival. Jerusalem is referred to as Lebanon, a city that was not only glorious but also proud of its population, lawful priests, and prophets proclaiming the divine word. It is said that he ascended and seized the choice cedars, and the finest of the stockade. This indicates Jehoiachin, whom the Prophet calls the choice cedars in reference to his royal lineage, and the finest signifies both his high status and youth, for he ascended to kingship in his early years and then was taken captive. The Prophet employs the term witchet, highlighting that the eagle possessed many claws by which it acted. I carried it into the land of the Canaanites and placed it within a fortified city. The Prophet states, I will bring it into the land of the Canaanites and position it in a fortified city.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS