This verse is from Ezekiel 17:14. It is part of a "riddle" or parable about two eagles and a vine, explaining how God would use the king of Babylon to humble the people of Judah.
In the King James Version, it reads:
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
The Heart of the Verse
In the 1600s, the word "base" didn't mean "bad" or "evil." It meant low, humble, or modest.
God was explaining that He allowed Jerusalem to be conquered so that the kingdom would be brought down to a "base" (low) level. This wasn't just to punish them, but to protect them from their own pride. If they stayed humble and kept their agreement (covenant), they would be allowed to survive and "stand." It was a lesson in dependency—recognizing that they were better off humble and faithful than powerful and rebellious.
