Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
eagle—the king of birds. The literal Hebrew is, "the great eagle." The symbol of the Assyrian supreme god, Nisroch; so applied to "the great king" of Babylon, his vicegerent on earth (Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22). His "wings" are his great forces. Such symbols were familiar to the Jews, who saw them portrayed on the great buildings of Babylon; such as are now seen in the Assyrian remains.
long-winged—implying the wide extent of his empire.
full of feathers—when they have been renewed after moulting; and so in the full freshness of renovated youth (Psalms 103:5; Isaiah 40:31). Answering to the many peoples which, as tributaries, constituted the strength of Babylon:
divers colours—the golden eagle, marked with star-like spots, supposed to be the largest of eagles [BOCHART]. Answering to the variety of languages, habits, and costumes of the peoples subject to Babylon.
came unto Lebanon—continuing the metaphor: as the eagle frequents mountains, not cities. The temple at Jerusalem was called "Lebanon" by the Jews [EUSEBIUS], because its woodwork was wholly of cedars of Lebanon. "The mountain of the Lord's house" (Isaiah 2:2). Jerusalem, however, is chiefly meant, the chief seat of civil honor, as Lebanon was of external elevation.
took the highest branch—King Jeconiah, then but eighteen years old, and many of the chiefs and people with him (II Kings 24:8, II Kings 24:12-16). The Hebrew for "highest branch" is, properly, the fleece-like tuft at the top of the tree. (So in Ezekiel 31:3-14). The cedar, as a tall tree, is the symbol of kingly elevation (compare Daniel 4:10-12).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Ezekiel 17:3:
Isaiah 46:11
Ezekiel 17:7
Ezekiel 17:22
Ezekiel 31:3
Habakkuk 2:17
Zechariah 11:1
Revelation 12:14
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