To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.
To the end that none of all the trees by the waters - i:e., that are plentifully supplied by the waters: nations abounding in resources.
Exalt themselves for their height - i:e., that the nations should not proudly be elated because of their greatness. Neither their trees stand up in their height - .i:e., trust in their height: stand upon it as their ground of confidence.
All that drink water. Fairbairn points (vocalizes) the Hebrew differently ['aleeyhem], instead of х 'eeleeyhem (H352)], so as, for "their trees," to translate, 'and that none that drink water may stand on themselves, because of their greatness.' But the usual reading is better, as Assyria and the confederate states throughout are compared to strong trees. The clause "all that drink water" marks the ground of the trees' confidence "in their height" - namely, that they have ample sources of supply. Henderson translates, 'that none that drink water may remain beside them in their height.' Maurer, retaining the same Hebrew, translates, 'that neither their terebinth trees may stand up in their height, nor all (the other trees) that drink water.' The English version seems best, except that for "trees" we may substitute terebinth trees, or else oak trees.
To the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit - (Ezekiel 32:18; Psalms 82:7, "Ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes").