Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 17:6

"And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs." — Ezekiel 17:6 (ASV)

A spreading vine of low stature.—Had Zedekiah been faithful to his oath and allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, and to his higher allegiance to God, Israel might have been fruitful and prosperous as a dependent kingdom.

Whose branches turned towards him.—Better, That its branches might turn towards him, and its roots might be under him. This was Nebuchadnezzar’s object—to make of Israel a flourishing kingdom, which should still be entirely dependent upon himself and helpful to him in his great struggle with the power of Egypt; and hence his especial rage when his strategic arrangements were frustrated by Zedekiah’s treachery and folly.