God gives a message to Ezekiel about the Pharaoh. The king of Egypt and his people are told to think about Assyria, which once was like a mighty, impressive cedar of Lebanon. Handed over to a greater power, the Babylonians, it fell. Ezekiel says to his people and to Egypt, “Look at Assyria and learn.” Ezekiel begins by addressing the cedar directly: Who can be compared with you? But from verse 3 on, the prophet shifts to the third person.

The tree is characterized by great height, lush verdure, and superb irrigation, which makes it fertile. It is so verdant that it offers shelter and nesting places …