And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.
She had strong rods for the sceptres - princes of the royal house of David. The vine shot forth her branches like so many "sceptres," not creeping lowly on the ground like many vines, but trained aloft on a tree or wall. The mention of their former royal dignity, contrasting sadly with her present sunken state, would remind the Jews of their sins, whereby they had incurred such judgments.
Her stature was exalted - (Daniel 4:11).
Among the thick branches - i:e., the central stock or trunk of the tree shot up highest "among its own branches" or offshoots surrounding it. Emblematic of the numbers and resources of the peoples. Hengstenberg translates, 'among the clouds.' But Ezekiel 31:3; Ezekiel 31:10; Ezekiel 31:14 supports the English version.