Ezekiel 17:17 in the King James Version reads, "Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons."

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Ezekiel is using a parable to convey a message from God to the people of Israel. The parable in this chapter of Ezekiel involves a great eagle who takes a twig from a cedar tree and plants it in a different land, and the metaphorical meaning behind this parable is what Ezekiel is explaining to his audience.

In this verse, the mention of Pharaoh and his mighty army is symbolic of the power and might of the nations that Israel had turned to for support instead of relying on God. The people of Israel had made alliances with foreign nations in order to protect themselves from their enemies, instead of trusting in God for their security and well-being. The passage is a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of their unfaithfulness and the futility of relying on human strength rather than trusting in the Lord.

The verse also speaks to the idea of trust and reliance on God in the face of adversity. It cautions against putting one's faith in the strength and might of human armies, which are ultimately powerless in comparison to the sovereignty of God. The imagery of casting up mounts and building forts speaks to the efforts and strategies of human warfare, which the verse suggests are ultimately insufficient in the face of divine judgment.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning within the larger narrative of the book of Ezekiel. The prophet Ezekiel was speaking to the exiled Israelites during their time in Babylon, and his message was one of warning and hope. The people of Israel had turned away from God and had suffered the consequences of their disobedience through their exile. However, Ezekiel also offered a message of hope and restoration, emphasizing the faithfulness of God and the potential for redemption and renewal for the people of Israel.

The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The mention of Pharaoh and his mighty army represents the power and influence of foreign nations, while the mention of casting up mounts and building forts speaks to the human strategies and defenses that the people of Israel relied on for protection. The futility of these efforts is contrasted with the ultimate power and sovereignty of God.

Overall, Ezekiel 17:17 conveys a message of warning and encouragement to the people of Israel, cautioning against reliance on human strength and power and emphasizing the need for faithfulness to God. The verse underscores the idea that true security and protection come from trusting in the Lord rather than in the might of human armies. It is a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience, as well as the promise of redemption and restoration through God's faithfulness.