Thou that sittest in Libanus, and makest thy nest in the cedars, how hast thou mourned when sorrows came upon thee, as the pains of a woman in labour?
ישבתי יֹשַׁבְתְּ֙ בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן מקננתי מְקֻנַּ֖נְתְּ בָּֽאֲרָזִ֑ים מַה־נֵּחַנְתְּ֙ בְּבֹא־לָ֣ךְ חֲבָלִ֔ים חִ֖יל כַּיֹּלֵדָֽה׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The prophet laments the extravagance and pride displayed by the Jews of his era, equating them to the lofty cedars of Lebanon. Through the metaphor of the pains and struggles of childbirth, he predicts the degradation and suffering that they would experience during their departure.
Ascend to Lebanon and lift your voice; cry out at Bashan to those who pass by, for all your allies are shattered. I spoke to you during your time of plenty, yet you responded, I will not listen. This has been your manner since your youth; you have disregarded my voice. All your shepherds shall be swept away by the wind, and your companions shall be taken into exile. Then you will be filled with shame and will experience deep embarrassment for all your iniquities. O dweller on Lebanon, who nests among the cedars! How you have cried out in your anguish, like the pangs of childbirth.
Through the imagery of Lebanon and Bashan, the address is directed towards Jerusalem, which has placed its futile hopes in Egypt, as well as to Jehoiakim, the king at that time in Jerusalem, who relied in vain on the Egyptians for assistance. They too would fall before the king of Babylon and be taken captive. When I say I have spoken to you, it refers to God Himself communicating through the prophets, and the meaning can also pertain to my prophets speaking to you; yet, in your abundance, you declared, I will not listen. This is a rebuke for your arrogance and for misusing the bounty of your wealth against God. He highlights that even from the beginning, when you were brought out of Egypt, you failed to heed God's voice; thus, your shepherds and princes have been scattered and have bowed beneath the yoke of Babylon. The phrase sitting on Lebanon and nesting in cedars criticizes the pride that arose from your many blessings, indicating that sudden distress and unforeseen captivity will strike you like a mother experiencing labor pains. As for the call to those who pass by, the term in Hebrew, meabarim, has been interpreted by the Seventy and Theodotion as meaning beyond the sea, while Simmachus renders it as contrary, suggesting that the prophet’s message is meant to reach from Jerusalem to Mount Lebanon and Bashan.
You will dwell in Lebanon and find refuge in the cedars; this signifies that you will be esteemed, noble, and honored by all. When illness comes upon you, you will rise as one who brings affliction. The Prophet, connecting this to the prophecy concerning Jehoiakim, predicts a similar fate for him. Jehoiakim was the son of Jehoiakim and the grandson of Josiah. After reigning for three months, he and his mother were taken captive and ultimately met his end in Babylon.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS