Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Albert Barnes

Ezekiel 31

Verse 1

In the third month - More than a month before Jerusalem was taken (compare Jeremiah 39:2).

Verses 3–9

Garden of God - Paradise.

Verses 10–14

Their trees - Rather, as in the margin, “standing unto themselves” meaning “standing in their own strength.” The clause will then run thus: “Neither all that drink water stand up” in their own strength. “All that drink water” means mighty princes to whom wealth and prosperity flow in. The Egyptians owed everything to the waters of the Nile. The substance is, that Assyria’s fall was decreed in order that the mighty ones of the earth might learn not to exalt themselves in pride or to rely on themselves, seeing that they must share the common lot of mortality.

Verses 15–17

His arm ... - The subject princes who were his strength and support in war.

Verse 18

Application to Pharaoh.

The uncircumcised - The Egyptians, at least their nobles, were circumcised. Pharaoh should thus be dishonored with those whom the Egyptians themselves deemed unclean.