Ezekiel 19:10

¶ Thy mother [is] like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

Thy mother {H517} is like a vine {H1612} in thy blood {H1818}{H1818}, planted {H8362} by the waters {H4325}: she was fruitful {H6509} and full of branches {H6058} by reason of many {H7227} waters {H4325}.

"'Your mother was like a strong grapevine planted by the water. It was fruitful and luxuriant because of the abundant water.

Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.

Thy mother was like a vine, in thy blood, planted by the waters: it was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

Ezekiel 19:10, part of a lamentation or dirge, paints a vivid picture of the former glory and prosperity of the royal house of Judah. Using the metaphor of a vine, it describes the "mother" (representing the royal lineage or the nation itself) as once flourishing and abundant, drawing strength from ample resources.

Context

Ezekiel 19 is a lamentation (a funeral dirge) delivered by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the princes of Israel, specifically the kings of Judah. It uses two primary metaphors: a lioness raising cubs (representing kings) and a vine with strong branches. Verse 10 initiates the vine metaphor, describing the glorious past of the royal line before its tragic downfall. This imagery contrasts sharply with the subsequent verses, which detail the stripping and desolation of the vine, signifying the captivity and loss of Judah's sovereignty. The lament serves as a stark reminder of Judah's initial blessings and their tragic forfeiture due to unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Former Prosperity and Blessing: The description of the "mother" as a vine "planted by the waters" and "fruitful and full of branches" highlights a period of great blessing, strength, and abundance for the kingdom of Judah and its royal lineage. This prosperity was a gift from God, providing the conditions for flourishing.
  • The Royal Line of Judah: The "mother" is widely understood to represent the Davidic dynasty, the line of kings that ruled Judah. Her fruitfulness symbolizes the succession of rulers and the vigor of the kingdom. This imagery connects to other biblical portrayals of Israel as a vine, such as in Psalm 80:8 or Isaiah 5:7.
  • Divine Provision: The phrase "by reason of many waters" signifies abundant resources and divine favor, suggesting that Judah's strength and fruitfulness were not self-generated but were sustained by God's provision.
  • A Contrast to Decline: While this verse speaks of past glory, its inclusion in a lamentation immediately sets up a poignant contrast with the subsequent verses (Ezekiel 19:11-14), which describe the vine being plucked up, withered, and burned, symbolizing the coming judgment and exile.

Linguistic Insights

  • "In thy blood" (בְּדָמֶךְ, b'damekh): This phrase is somewhat ambiguous. Some scholars interpret it as "in your likeness" or "in your prime," suggesting the mother was like a strong, vigorous vine. Others connect it to the idea of lineage or bloodline, implying the vine was inherent to the identity and strength of the royal family. Another view suggests it refers to the rich, fertile soil (like blood) in which it was planted. The KJV's rendering emphasizes the intrinsic connection to the royal lineage's vitality.
  • "Planted by the waters": The Hebrew phrase עַל מַיִם (al mayim) literally means "upon waters" or "by waters," strongly conveying a sense of being well-nourished and thriving. This echoes the imagery of a blessed person or nation thriving because of constant spiritual or physical sustenance, as seen in Psalm 1:3.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 19:10 serves as a powerful reminder of God's initial blessings and the potential for a people or individual to flourish under divine favor. However, within the broader context of the lament, it also highlights the consequences of unfaithfulness.

  • Acknowledge God's Provision: It reminds us that any prosperity or strength we experience ultimately comes from God's hand. We are "planted by the waters" of His grace and provision.
  • Beware of Complacency: The lament's trajectory warns against becoming complacent in times of blessing. Judah's downfall came despite its glorious past, emphasizing that continued faithfulness is crucial for sustained flourishing.
  • The Cycle of Blessing and Consequence: The verse, when read with the rest of the chapter, illustrates a biblical pattern: God blesses, humanity disobeys, and consequences follow. It encourages introspection about our own spiritual health and fidelity.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 80:8

    ¶ Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

  • Psalms 80:11

    She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.

  • Deuteronomy 8:7

    For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;

  • Numbers 24:6

    As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.

  • Numbers 24:7

    He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

  • Matthew 21:33

    Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

  • Matthew 21:41

    They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back