Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 31:3-9

"Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs. The waters nourished it, the deep made it to grow: the rivers thereof ran round about its plantation; and it sent out its channels unto all the trees of the field. Therefore its stature was exalted above all the trees of the field; and its boughs were multiplied, and its branches became long by reason of many waters, when it shot [them] forth. All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; and under its branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young; and under its shadow dwelt all great nations. Thus was it fair in its greatness, in the length of its branches; for its root was by many waters. The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it; the fir-trees were not like its boughs, and the plane-trees were not as its branches; nor was any tree in the garden of God like unto it in its beauty. I made it fair by the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied it." — Ezekiel 31:3-9 (ASV)

Fifth prophecy against Egypt: a warning to Pharaoh from the fate of the Assyrians.

The Assyrian empire, after being supreme in Asia for four centuries, was overthrown by the united forces of the Babylonians and Medes in 605 BC, the year of the battle of Carchemish, which had broken the power of Egypt.

This gives force to the warning to Egypt from Assyria’s fall.

(Ezekiel 31:4) His plants – Rather, her plantation. The water represents the riches and might which flowed into Assyria.

(Ezekiel 31:5) When he shot forth – Or, when the deep water sent forth its streams.

(Ezekiel 31:8) Garden of God – Paradise.