The cedar tree grew so large that birds, animals, and people were able to live safely in or under it.

All the birds of the air made their nests in its boughs: For the birds of the air, see 29.5. Made their nests in its boughs shows how safe and secure the birds were in the protection of the tree. Good News Translation provides a good model for this sentence, saying “Every kind of bird built nests in its branches.”

Under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young: The wild animals were also protected by the tree. For the beasts of the field, see 29.5. Brought forth their young may be rendered simply “gave birth” (New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version). In some languages it will be more natural to reverse the order of this sentence by saying “Wild animals gave birth to their young under its branches.”

And under its shadow dwelt all great nations: Even people from nations around the world lived under its shadow, that is, “in its shade” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version, New International Reader’s Version, Revised English Bible), which means “under its protection.” The inclusion of great nations in this list shows that Ezekiel is speaking figuratively about this tree, although translators need to treat it as if it is literal. Translators may render this sentence as “People from every great country lived in its shade.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .