Isa 37:24, Jer 22:23, Eze 17:3, 12 | JFB | STEP | 24. said —virtually. Hast thou within thyself? height —imagery from the Assyrian felling of trees in Lebanon ( ); figuratively for, "I have carried my victorious army through the regions most difficult of access, to the most remote lands." sides —rather, "recesses" [G. V. SMITH ]. fir trees —not cypresses, as some translate; pine foliage and cedars are still found on the northwest side of Lebanon [STANLEY ]. height of . . . border —In , "the lodgings of his borders." Perhaps on the ascent to the top there was a place of repose or caravansary, which bounded the usual attempts of persons to ascend [BARNES ]. Here, simply, "its extreme height." forest of . . . Carmel —rather, "its thickest forest." "Carmel" expresses thick luxuriance (see on ; ).

Isaiah 37:24

24. said—virtually. Hast thou within thyself?

height—imagery from the Assyrian felling of trees in Lebanon (Isa 14:8; 33:9); figuratively for, "I have carried my victorious army through the regions most difficult of access, to the most remote lands."

sides—rather, "recesses" [G. V. SMITH].

fir trees—not cypresses, as some translate; pine foliage and cedars are still found on the northwest side of Lebanon [STANLEY].

height of . . . border—In 2Ki 19:23, "the lodgings of his borders." Perhaps on the ascent to the top there was a place of repose or caravansary, which bounded the usual attempts of persons to ascend [BARNES]. Here, simply, "its extreme height."

forest of . . . Carmel—rather, "its thickest forest." "Carmel" expresses thick luxuriance (see on Isa 10:18; Isa 29:17).

Jeremiah 22:23

23. inhabitant of Lebanon—namely, Jerusalem, whose temple, palaces, and principal habitations were built of cedars of Lebanon.

how gracious—irony. How graciously thou wilt be treated by the Chaldees, when they come on thee suddenly, as pangs on a woman in travail (Jer 6:24)! Nay, all thy fine buildings will win no favor for thee from them. MAURER translates, "How shalt thou be to be pitied!"

Ezekiel 17:3

3. eagle—the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian supreme god, Nisroch; so applied to "the great king" of Babylon, his vicegerent on earth (Jer 48:40; 49:22). His "wings" are his great forces. Such symbols were familiar to the Jews, who saw them portrayed on the great buildings of Babylon; such as are now seen in the Assyrian remains.

long-winged—implying the wide extent of his empire.

full of feathers—when they have been renewed after moulting; and so in the full freshness of renovated youth (Ps 103:5; Isa 40:31). Answering to the many peoples which, as tributaries, constituted the strength of Babylon.

divers colours—the golden eagle, marked with star-like spots, supposed to be the largest of eagles [BOCHART]. Answering to the variety of languages, habits, and costumes of the peoples subject to Babylon.

came unto Lebanon—continuing the metaphor: as the eagle frequents mountains, not cities. The temple at Jerusalem was called "Lebanon" by the Jews [EUSEBIUS], because its woodwork was wholly of cedars of Lebanon. "The mountain of the Lord's house" (Isa 2:2). Jerusalem, however, is chiefly meant, the chief seat of civil honor, as Lebanon was of external elevation.

took the highest branch—King Jeconiah, then but eighteen years old, and many of the chiefs and people with him (2Ki 24:8, 12-16). The Hebrew for "highest branch" is, properly, the fleece-like tuft at the top of the tree. (So in Eze 31:3-14). The cedar, as a tall tree, is the symbol of kingly elevation (compare Da 4:10-12).

Ezekiel 17:12

12. Know ye not—He upbraided them with moral, leading to intellectual, stupidity.

hath taken the king—Jeconiah or Jehoiachin (2Ki 24:11, 12-16).