14 so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to rise again, surviving only by keeping his treaty.
14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
14 that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand.
14 to make sure that this kingdom stayed weak - didn't get any big ideas of itself - and kept the covenant with him so that it would have a future.
14 that the kingdom might be brought low and not lift itself up, but that by keeping his covenant it might stand.
14 so Israel would not become strong again and revolt. Only by keeping her treaty with Babylon could Israel survive.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 17:14
Commentary on Ezekiel 17:11-21
(Read Ezekiel 17:11-21)
The parable is explained, and the particulars of the history of the Jewish nation at that time may be traced. Zedekiah had been ungrateful to his benefactor, which is a sin against God. In every solemn oath, God is appealed to as a witness of the sincerity of him that swears. Truth is a debt owing to all men. If the professors of the true religion deal treacherously with those of a false religion, their profession makes their sin the worse; and God will the more surely and severely punish it. The Lord will not hold those guiltless who take his name in vain; and no man shall escape the righteous judgment of God who dies under unrepented guilt.