John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 17:5-6

"He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful soil; he placed it beside many waters; he set it as a willow-tree. 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 17:5-6 (ASV)

After Ezekiel has narrated that Jehoiacin was carried away with his counselors and the choicest of all the people, and was so deprived of his native country as to be without hope of return, he now says, that the eagle took up the seed in Judea, and placed it in a fertile land; for he calls it a land of seed, since it was cultivated and produced fruit abundantly.

He says that the seed was afterwards hidden in the soil, that it grew immediately, and became a luxuriant vine. He also says, that its roots were irrigated, like a willow planted by a river’s bed. The Prophet later explains himself; therefore, it is sufficient to state briefly what he means.

The seed, then, which he means here is Zedekiah, the last king. It is said to have been planted beside the waters, for his condition was tolerable, since the royal name, dignity, and wealth were left to him. Although he was a tributary, the kindness Nebuchadnezzar showed him was not to be despised, since, by the right of war, Nebuchadnezzar could have led him captive along with his nephew; for Zedekiah was the uncle of Jeconiah or Jehoiacin.

But the Prophet said, that this vine, which sprang from a seed or germ, grew so that it was of low stature. By these words, as we will see later, the Prophet means that Zedekiah was not truly a king, in that he was restrained by a bridle from daring to rebel against the king of Babylon. Therefore, it is added, that its branches turned towards the eagle, and its roots were under him.

However, in the next clause, Ezekiel announces that it became a vine which set forth branches, and shot forth boughs. He repeats this so that Zedekiah’s ingratitude might appear greater, as Zedekiah, not content with his moderate confinement, perfidiously revolted from the king of Babylon, relying on the new treaty which we touched upon yesterday.