The mighty cedar tree was much bigger and better than any other tree in the world.

The cedars in the garden of God, which had a reputation for great size and beauty, could not rival it. Good News Translation says “No cedar in God’s garden could compare with it.” The garden of God refers to the garden of Eden (see the next verse and 28.13), but unless it would cause confusion among readers, it is better for translators not to say “the garden of Eden,” but to keep the garden of God. Nor should they imply that this cedar tree was actually in the garden of Eden, next to its trees. God is just comparing them with it, without saying where it actually was. Since God is speaking in this verse, some translators may find it necessary to say “my garden” (New International Reader’s Version). The Hebrew verb rendered rival has the sense of “cast a shadow on” or “overshadow,” so it is possible to take it here in a literal, physical sense, that is, the mighty cedar tree was so large that other tall trees were unable to cast a shadow on it (so New English Bible). However, it is more likely to have a figurative sense, so could not rival it may be translated “could not equal it” (Christian Community Bible; similarly Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible), “could not compare with it” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “were not as great as it was” (New Century Version). A possible model for the whole clause is “The cedar trees in the garden of God were not as beautiful as it was.”

Nor the fir trees equal its boughs; the plain trees were as nothing compared with its branches: None of the other magnificent trees in God’s garden could compare with the size and beauty of the cedar tree or its branches. The Hebrew word for fir trees is a generic term that probably included cypress, fir and juniper trees, which are all evergreen coniferous trees (see the comments on 27.5). The largest fir trees were known for their height since they could grow to 20 meters (65 feet) in height in the mountainous regions of Palestine and Lebanon. Plane trees were renowned for their height, long branches and beautiful foliage. Where fir and plane trees are not known, translators may replace them with large trees from their own culture, or they may refer to large trees in general (so Contemporary English Version). A possible model for these lines is “The branches of the fir trees were not as lovely as the branches of the cedar tree. Compared to this tree, the branches of the plane trees were not beautiful at all.”

No tree in the garden of God was like it in beauty means no tree in God’s garden was as beautiful as the cedar tree.

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 .