TRV
Ezekiel 15:5
Bible Versions
Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for [any] work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?
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!
Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!
Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work!
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Jeremiah 3:16
And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit [it]; neither shall [that] be done any more.
Ezekiel 15:5 is part of a vivid parable, where the prophet Ezekiel uses the imagery of a vine to illustrate God's judgment against Jerusalem and its inhabitants. This verse specifically emphasizes the utter worthlessness of the vine wood, both before and after it has been consumed by fire, highlighting the severity of the impending divine judgment.
Context
The Book of Ezekiel often employs symbolic actions and parables to convey God's messages to the exiled Israelites. In Ezekiel chapter 15, God presents a rhetorical question: "What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?" (Ezekiel 15:2). The answer is that vine wood is uniquely unsuitable for building or crafting, unlike other trees. It's only good for bearing fruit. If it doesn't bear fruit, it's essentially useless, even for fuel, as it burns quickly and leaves little behind. This parable serves as a powerful metaphor for Jerusalem, which, despite being chosen by God as His "vineyard" (Isaiah 5:7), had become unfruitful and rebellious. The "fire" represents the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "meet" (mî) or "fit" implies suitability or usefulness. The repeated emphasis on "no work" (lîmelā'ḵâ) highlights the vine's inherent lack of utility for construction or any practical purpose other than fruit-bearing. This emphasizes that Israel's value lay not in its physical strength or material resources, but in its covenant relationship with God and its calling to bear the fruit of righteousness and obedience.
Related Scriptures
The imagery of the vine is prominent throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15:1-6, where unfruitful branches are cut off and burned, echoing the themes of judgment and the necessity of bearing spiritual fruit. The concept of God's people being refined or judged by fire is also seen in Malachi 4:1 and 1 Corinthians 3:13, though with different nuances.
Practical Application
For believers today, Ezekiel 15:5 serves as a potent reminder of the importance of spiritual fruitfulness. Our value in God's kingdom is not derived from our inherent abilities or status, but from our connection to Christ, the true Vine (John 15:5), and our obedience to His commands. If we fail to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and live in faithfulness, we risk becoming spiritually useless, rendering ourselves unfit for God's purposes. The verse warns against complacency and calls for a life actively demonstrating faith and obedience, lest we face the consequences of spiritual barrenness.