Ezekiel 19:14

KJV

And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, [which] hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod [to be] a sceptre to rule. This [is] a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And fire {H784} is gone out {H3318} of a rod {H4294} of her branches {H905}, which hath devoured {H398} her fruit {H6529}, so that she hath no strong {H5797} rod {H4294} to be a sceptre {H7626} to rule {H4910}. This is a lamentation {H7015}, and shall be for a lamentation {H7015}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Fire has gone out from its own branches, burning up its fruit, so that now it has no strong branch to be a ruler's scepter.'" This lamentation became very well known.

Berean Standard Bible

Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”

American Standard Version

And fire is gone out of the rods of its branches, it hath devoured its fruit, so that there is in it no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 19:14 concludes a profound prophetic lament, or dirge, delivered by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the final, devastating collapse of the Davidic monarchy and the kingdom of Judah. This verse vividly portrays the complete consumption of Judah's royal authority by divine judgment, leaving no legitimate ruler or means of governance, and emphatically declares the permanence and deep sorrow of this national catastrophe, marking the definitive end of an era for God's chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to a *qinah* (lamentation) that begins in [Ezekiel 19:1](/ezekiel/19 "Ezekiel 19 - A Lament for the Princes of Israel"). The entire chapter employs two primary metaphors to describe the demise of the Judean monarchy: first, a lioness raising cubs (representing the royal line of Judah and its kings, Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin, who were taken captive), and second, a vine with strong branches (symbolizing the kingdom and its final king, Zedekiah). The "fire" and "devoured fruit" in this concluding verse bring the vine metaphor to its devastating end, signifying the complete destruction of the kingdom and the royal line's capacity to rule. The preceding verses detail the capture and removal of the "lion cubs" (kings) and the plucking up of the "vine" (kingdom), setting the stage for this final, irreversible judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel 19:14 is deeply rooted in the tumultuous historical period leading up to and during the Babylonian Exile. The "rod of her branches" refers specifically to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, who was installed by Nebuchadnezzar but subsequently rebelled against Babylon. This rebellion directly led to the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, as meticulously recorded in historical accounts like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem and the Exile"). The "sceptre" was a universal ancient Near Eastern symbol of royal authority and power to rule. The absence of a "strong rod to be a sceptre" underscores the absolute and definitive end of Judah's independent kingship, national sovereignty, and the Davidic dynasty's ability to govern from Jerusalem, culminating in the forced deportation of its people and the desolation of its land.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 19:14 powerfully encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where the "fire" represents God's righteous and severe judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rebellion, illustrating the dire consequences of disobedience as seen in warnings throughout [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Another crucial theme is the **Loss of Sovereignty and National Identity**, as the inability to wield a "sceptre to rule" signifies the complete cessation of Judah's independent kingship and its status as a sovereign nation. The repeated declaration, "This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation," emphasizes the **Irreversible Calamity** and profound sorrow associated with this national catastrophe, echoing the deep grief found in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation"). It highlights that this was not a temporary setback but a definitive, mournful end to an era of Judah's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fire (Hebrew, _ʼêsh'_):** H784, a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. In this context, "fire" is a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and consuming destruction. It signifies the intensity and totality of God's wrath poured out upon Judah, leaving nothing but desolation in its wake. It is the agent of the kingdom's demise.
* **Rod (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** H4294, from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe. The word "rod" is used twice in this verse, first as a "rod of her branches" (referring to a significant branch of the vine, i.e., a king like Zedekiah), and then as a "strong rod" that *should* be a sceptre. Its dual usage highlights the transformation from a source of potential strength to an emblem of utter weakness and loss of authority.
* **Lamentation (Hebrew, _qîynâh'_):** H7015, from קוּן; a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments); lamentation. This term defines the literary genre of the entire chapter. Its repetition ("This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation") underscores the profound, lasting, and irreversible grief associated with the destruction of the kingdom. It is a funeral song for a nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches,"**: This clause depicts the sudden and devastating eruption of destructive power. The "rod of her branches" (referring to King Zedekiah, a prominent branch of the royal vine) is paradoxically the source from which the "fire" of judgment emanates, or perhaps, it is the very branch that is consumed by the fire. This fire represents divine wrath or the destructive consequences of Judah's own actions (like Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon) that ultimately led to the kingdom's downfall.
* **"which hath devoured her fruit,"**: The destructive "fire" has consumed the "fruit" of the vine. "Fruit" here symbolizes the prosperity, strength, future generations, and overall well-being of the kingdom of Judah. Its consumption means that all the potential for growth, sustenance, and continuation has been utterly destroyed, leaving the nation barren and without hope of renewal from within.
* **"so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule."**: This is the dire consequence of the fire's devastation. The "strong rod" (a robust branch, a powerful king) that should have become a "sceptre" (a symbol of royal authority and dominion) no longer exists. This signifies the complete and irreversible end of the Davidic monarchy's independent rule and Judah's national sovereignty. There is no king left to sit on the throne in Jerusalem, and no legitimate heir capable of restoring the kingdom's former glory.
* **"This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."**: This concluding declaration serves as a somber epitaph. The "lamentation" (a funeral dirge) that Ezekiel has just delivered is not merely a temporary expression of grief but a permanent reality. It emphasizes the profound and enduring sorrow, marking the definitive end of an era for Judah, a catastrophe so complete that its memory will forever be a cause for mourning.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 19:14 is rich with **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**, extending the elaborate imagery of the vine and its branches from the preceding verses. The "rod of her branches" is a **Metaphor** for the kings of Judah, particularly Zedekiah, while "fire" is a **Symbol** of divine judgment and consuming destruction. The "fruit" **Symbolizes** the nation's prosperity and future, and its consumption signifies utter ruin. The "sceptre" is a potent **Symbol** of royal authority and sovereignty, and its absence powerfully conveys the complete loss of Judah's independence. The most striking device is **Repetition**, with "lamentation" appearing twice at the end of the verse ("This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation"). This **Repetition** serves to emphasize the profound, irreversible, and enduring nature of the catastrophe, imprinting the sense of finality and sorrow upon the listener or reader. The entire chapter functions as a **Dirge** or funeral song, a literary form chosen specifically to evoke deep sorrow and acknowledge a final, mournful end.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 19:14 stands as a stark testament to the unwavering justice of God and the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. It underscores the truth that even a nation chosen by God is not exempt from divine judgment when it persistently rebels against His commands and embraces idolatry and injustice. The complete annihilation of Judah's sovereignty, symbolized by the absence of a "sceptre to rule," demonstrates God's ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms, raising them up and bringing them down according to His righteous will. This lament serves as a sobering reminder that true security and lasting power are found not in human strength or political maneuvering, but in faithful obedience to the Lord of Hosts.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Prophecy of Invasion and Siege")
* [Lamentations 1:1-3](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's Desolation")
* [Isaiah 5:5-7](/isaiah/5-5 "Isaiah 5:5-7 - The Parable of the Vineyard's Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 19:14, though a lament for an ancient kingdom, carries profound and timeless lessons for individuals and communities today. It compels us to recognize that actions have consequences, and persistent rebellion against God's revealed will, whether through idolatry, injustice, or spiritual apathy, ultimately leads to a "fire" of judgment that consumes what we hold dear. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and societies, asking whether we are producing "fruit" that honors God or setting ourselves up for a lamentable end. It reminds us that true authority and lasting peace come only from submitting to the divine "sceptre" of God's rule, rather than seeking power or security in fleeting earthly structures. Even in the face of such profound judgment, the broader biblical narrative offers hope: God's ultimate purpose is not merely destruction but also restoration and the establishment of a new, unbreakable covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fruit" in my life or community might be susceptible to being "devoured" by the consequences of unfaithfulness or rebellion against God?**
* **In what ways do I, or my community, attempt to establish our own "sceptre to rule" rather than submitting to God's sovereign authority?**
* **How does the concept of a "lamentation" for a nation's downfall inform my understanding of the seriousness of sin and its impact on society?**
* **How can I live in a way that produces lasting spiritual "fruit" rather than that which is consumed by judgment?**

### FAQ
**What is the "rod of her branches" referring to in this verse?**

Answer: The "rod of her branches" refers metaphorically to the kings of Judah, particularly King Zedekiah, who was the last reigning monarch before Jerusalem's final destruction and the Babylonian Exile. In the preceding verses of [Ezekiel 19](/ezekiel/19 "Ezekiel 19 - A Lament for the Princes of Israel"), Judah is likened to a vine, and its kings are the strong branches. Zedekiah, as a prominent "branch," was expected to provide strength and leadership, but his rebellion against Babylon ultimately led to the "fire" of destruction consuming the kingdom, leaving no strong leader to rule.

**What does the repetition of "lamentation" signify at the end of the verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation" (Hebrew: *qinah*) underscores the profound and irreversible nature of the catastrophe that befell Judah. A *qinah* is a specific type of funeral dirge or mournful poem. By repeating the term, Ezekiel emphasizes that the destruction of the kingdom was not a temporary setback but a definitive, final, and deeply sorrowful event that would forever be remembered as a cause for mourning. It signifies the absolute end of an era for Judah as an independent nation.

**How does this verse relate to the historical events of Judah's downfall?**

Answer: Ezekiel 19:14 directly prophesies and reflects the historical reality of Jerusalem's destruction and the end of the Davidic monarchy in 586 BC. The "fire" represents the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, which besieged and destroyed Jerusalem. The "devoured fruit" signifies the loss of the nation's people, prosperity, and future. The phrase "no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule" perfectly encapsulates the fate of King Zedekiah, who was captured, had his sons killed before his eyes, was blinded, and taken to Babylon, as recorded in [2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Blinding"). This event marked the complete cessation of the Davidic line's independent rule and Judah's sovereignty, fulfilling the lament's dire prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 19:14 laments the irreversible end of Judah's earthly monarchy and the Davidic line's ability to rule, it simultaneously points forward to a greater, eternal King and an unshakable kingdom. The "fire" of judgment that consumed the earthly "rod" ultimately paved the way for the coming of the true "strong rod," Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Son of David, the one who truly holds the "sceptre" of universal dominion, not through earthly power, but through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Unlike the failed kings of Judah, whose reigns ended in lamentation, Christ's reign is eternal and brings forth unfading "fruit" for His people, as He is the true vine (cf. [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")). The lamentation for a lost earthly kingdom finds its ultimate reversal in the joy of the spiritual kingdom established by Christ, whose rule brings not destruction but salvation and eternal life to all who believe. His kingdom is not of this world, and thus, it cannot be devoured by any earthly fire or lose its sceptre, fulfilling the promise of an everlasting dominion (cf. [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Eternal Dominion") and [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 19:1

¶ Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,

Isaiah 9:18

For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up [like] the lifting up of smoke.

Isaiah 9:19

Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

2 Kings 24:20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Ezekiel 19:11

And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.

Psalms 80:15

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch [that] thou madest strong for thyself.

Psalms 80:16

[It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.