A great eagle, &c.— This great eagle represents Nebuchadrezzar, according to all the interpreters; his greatness, long wings, beautiful, abundant, and well-coloured plumage, denote the force and greatness of his empire, the rapidity of his conquests, and the number of his subjects. The Scripture has in more places than one described this prince under the figure of an eagle. See Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22.Daniel 7:4. By his coming to Lebanon, and taking the highest branch of the cedar, is meant his invasion of Judaea, his investing the city of Jerusalem, and taking king Jehoiachin and the princes captive. See Calmet.
Related Commentaries of Ezekiel 17:3
Ezekiel 17:3
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: