Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 31:14

"to the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves in their stature, neither set their top among the thick boughs, nor that their mighty ones stand up on their height, [even] 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." — Ezekiel 31:14 (ASV)

Stand up in their height.— The original is more closely followed by the margin, stand upon themselves for their height, and the thought is that the trees (princes) shall no longer rely on their own strength and be infatuated by the prosperity that has been given them.

All that drink water is only a poetical expression for the trees. (Compare to Ezekiel 31:16.) In the constant mention of water and rivers throughout this parable there may be a covert allusion to Egypt, made fertile by the irrigation of the Nile.

To the nether parts of the earth. —See Note on Ezekiel 26:20. In the latter part of this verse the figurative is again exchanged for literal language.