Ezekiel15

Ezekiel 15 presents an analogy comparing Jerusalem to a vine tree. The Lord questions the utility of vine wood, noting its inherent weakness and suitability only for fuel, even less so after being burned. This metaphor signifies that the inhabitants of Jerusalem, like the useless vine, are destined for divine judgment and desolation due to their trespasses.

The Uselessness of the Vine

1
The word of ADONAI came to me:
2
"Human being, why should wood from a grapevine be better than some other kind of wood, than some branch that one might find among the trees of the forest? ​
3
Its wood can't be used to make anything, not even a pin on which to hang a pot. ​
4
So now it is thrown in the fire as fuel, the fire consumes both ends of it, and the middle of it is singed is it useful now for making something?
5
When it was whole, it was good for nothing; so how much less, when the fire has consumed it, and it is singed, will it be useful for making something! ​

Jerusalem Fit Only for Fire

6
"So Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'Like wood from the vine among the trees of the forest, which I consign to the fire as fuel, so I give those living in Yerushalayim. ​
7
I will set my face against them they may have escaped one fire, but the fire will consume them yet. When I set my face against them, you will know that I am ADONAI. ​
8
I will make the land desolate because they have dealt so treacherously,' says Adonai ELOHIM." ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 15

Verse 2

The vine analogy is central to biblical prophecy (cf. Isaiah 5, John 15). Unlike forest trees valued for their lumber, the vine is only valuable for its fruit; without fruit, its wood is uniquely weak and worthless.

Verse 3

The wood of the grapevine is notoriously soft and brittle, emphasizing that Israel, without its covenantal purpose (bearing the fruit of righteousness), has no inherent value or strength.

Verse 5

This rhetorical question establishes that if Israel was useless while whole (before judgment), it is entirely irrecoverable after the partial destruction and chastisement by Babylon.

Verse 6

God explicitly identifies the inhabitants of Jerusalem with the worthless vine wood. The metaphor confirms that their failure to produce righteousness makes them fit only for divine judgment (the fire).

Verse 7

The judgment is comprehensive and unavoidable. The phrase 'one fire, and another fire shall devour them' symbolizes the relentless nature of God’s wrath, referencing the initial Babylonian siege followed by the final destruction and forced exile.

Verse 8

The ultimate cause of the desolation is the *ma'al* (trespass or unfaithfulness). This refers to Israel’s persistent idolatry and failure to uphold the covenant obligations, justifying the severe judgment.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options