John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 17:7

"There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it." — Ezekiel 17:7 (ASV)

He now exposes, figuratively, the treachery of Zedekiah, since he very soon turned to the king of Egypt, and bent his roots and branches toward him, so that they might be watered. I do not disagree with the opinion of those who think that the Prophet alludes to an Egyptian custom; for we know that they dug furrows through which water flowed throughout the whole region, which explains the fruitfulness of the soil; and thus Egypt is elsewhere compared to a garden (Deuteronomy 11:10).

Whatever the precise meaning, the Prophet shows that Zedekiah was deceived by a foolish confidence when he thought himself safe under the protection of the king of Egypt. For he had said that the seed was so planted that the vine did not rise to a great height, but spread itself under the wings of the eagle. But Zedekiah despised the king of Babylon, thinking that he would improve his condition by entering into a treaty with the king of Egypt.