Ezekiel 19:13

And now she [is] planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.

And now she is planted {H8362} in the wilderness {H4057}, in a dry {H6723} and thirsty {H6772} ground {H776}.

It has been transplanted to the desert, to a dry, thirsty land.

Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.

And now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.

Ezekiel 19:13 KJV: "And now she [is] planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground."

Context of Ezekiel 19:13

This verse is part of a poignant lamentation or dirge (a funeral song) delivered by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the princes of Israel. The entire chapter 19 uses powerful allegories to describe the downfall of the Davidic dynasty and the nation of Judah. Initially, Ezekiel uses the metaphor of lion cubs (representing individual kings like Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim/Jehoiachin) being captured. Then, the imagery shifts to a vine, representing the mother (likely the nation of Israel or its royal lineage), which was once glorious and fruitful. Verse 13 marks the tragic culmination of this metaphor, describing the vine's ultimate fate after its branches were consumed by fire, symbolizing the complete destruction and loss of its former glory and power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequence: The "planting in the wilderness" vividly portrays the severe judgment brought upon Israel for its unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. It signifies the removal of blessings and prosperity due to sustained disobedience.
  • Desolation and Barrenness: The phrase "dry and thirsty ground" is a stark image of extreme hardship, lack of sustenance, and spiritual barrenness. It contrasts sharply with the lush, fruitful land God had originally given to His people, symbolizing a complete reversal of fortune and a state where life cannot thrive.
  • The Trauma of Exile: This verse powerfully foreshadows or describes the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were forcibly removed from their fertile homeland and taken to a foreign, often desolate environment. It represents the loss of their sovereignty, the destruction of the Temple, and the shattering of their national identity.
  • Loss of Glory and Fruitfulness: The vine, once mighty and productive, is now rendered useless and suffering, reflecting the shattered glory of Israel and its inability to bear the fruit of righteousness because of its unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wilderness" is midbar (מִדְבָּר), which refers to an uninhabited, often arid region. While the wilderness in biblical narrative can sometimes be a place of testing or divine encounter (e.g., the Israelites' journey from Egypt), here, combined with "dry and thirsty ground" (tziyah and tzama), it unequivocally conveys a sense of desolation, punishment, and a lack of life-giving resources. It emphasizes the complete reversal of fortune from a promised land of abundance to a place of utter deprivation, highlighting the severity of God's judgment.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 19:13 serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience and spiritual barrenness. For us today, it highlights the importance of remaining spiritually rooted in Christ, the true vine (John 15:5), lest we find ourselves in a "dry and thirsty ground" of spiritual emptiness and separation from God's blessings. It encourages self-examination regarding our faithfulness and fruitfulness in our walk with God. Even in times of personal spiritual dryness or hardship, this verse can serve as a call to repentance and a reminder that God, in His mercy, can ultimately bring restoration and life even to the most desolate places, as promised in other prophecies of hope (e.g., Ezekiel 36:35).

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.

  • Hosea 2:3

    Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 68:6

    God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry [land].

  • Psalms 63:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

  • 2 Kings 24:12

    And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

  • 2 Kings 24:16

    And all the men of might, [even] seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all [that were] strong [and] apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

  • Deuteronomy 28:47

    Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all [things];

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