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:
A great eagle - the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, 'the great eagle.' The symbol of the Assyrian supreme god, Nisroch [akin to the Hebrew 'eagle,' nesher (H5404)]; so applied to 'the great king' of Babylon, his vicegerent on earth (Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22).
With great wings - his "wings" are his great forces. Such symbols were familiar to the Jews, who saw them pourtrayed 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 (Psalms 103:5; Isaiah 40:31). Answering to the many peoples which, as tributaries, constituted the strength of Babylon.
Which had divers colours - the golden eagle, marked with starlike 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 wood-work was wholly of cedars of Lebanon. "The mountain of the Lord's house" (Isaiah 2:2). Jerusalem, however, is chiefly meant-the chief seat of civil and religious honour, as Lebanon was of external elevation.
Took the highest branch - King Jechoniah, then only 18 years old, and many of the chiefs and people with him (2 Kings 24:8; 2 Kings 24:12-16). The Hebrew х tsameret (H6788)] for "highest branch" is, properly, the fleece-like tuft at the top of the tree. So in Ezekiel 31:3-14. The cedar, as a tall tree, is the symbol of kingly elevation (cf. Daniel 4:10-22).