19:13 19:13

Ezekiel 19:14

20:1 20:1

Bible Versions

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.
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}.
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.
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.”
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.

Ezekiel 19:14 concludes a powerful lamentation, or dirge, that the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to utter concerning the princes of Israel. This verse vividly portrays the final, devastating collapse of the Davidic monarchy and the kingdom of Judah, leading to the Babylonian Exile.

Context

This verse is the culmination of a prophetic lament (a *qinah*) that began in Ezekiel 19:1. The lament uses two primary metaphors: a lioness raising cubs (representing the royal line of Judah and its kings, Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin) and a vine with strong branches (representing the kingdom and its final king, Zedekiah). The "fire" in this verse refers to the divine judgment that consumed the kingdom. The "rod of her branches" symbolizes King Zedekiah, whose rebellion against Babylon led to the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the independent Davidic monarchy. The historical fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, as recorded in Jeremiah 52:11 and 2 Kings 25:7, where Zedekiah's sons were killed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken to Babylon, signifying the complete loss of the royal line's ability to rule.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The "fire" represents God's righteous judgment against Judah for its idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. It highlights the severe consequences of persistent rebellion against the Lord.
  • Loss of Sovereignty: The phrase "no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule" powerfully conveys the absolute end of Judah's independent kingship and national identity. The sceptre is an ancient symbol of royal authority, and its absence signifies total subjugation.
  • Irreversible Calamity: The repeated declaration, "This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation," emphasizes the permanence and profound sorrow of this national catastrophe. It was not a temporary setback but a definitive end to an era of Judah's history.
  • Consequences of Sin: The entire lament, culminating in this verse, serves as a stark reminder that even a chosen nation faces severe consequences when it turns away from God's commands and embraces wickedness, as seen in Proverbs 16:18.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "lamentation" is qinah (קִינָה), which refers to a specific type of funeral dirge or mournful poem. It is often characterized by a distinctive rhythm that evokes sorrow and grief. The repetition of the word underscores the deep and lasting sorrow associated with the destruction of the kingdom. The "sceptre" (שֵׁבֶט, shevet) literally means "rod" or "staff," but in this context, it clearly signifies royal authority and the power to rule, as it does in Genesis 49:10. Its absence is a poignant symbol of Judah's fall.

Practical Application

While this verse speaks of ancient judgment, its lessons resonate today:

  1. Accountability and Consequences: It serves as a sober reminder that disobedience and rebellion against God's will ultimately lead to destructive outcomes, both for individuals and nations. God's justice is unwavering.
  2. God's Sovereignty: Even in the midst of national collapse and seemingly overwhelming defeat, this prophecy affirms that God remains sovereign over the affairs of nations and their leaders, raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His will, as declared in Daniel 2:21.
  3. Hope Beyond Judgment: Although Ezekiel 19:14 is a lament of finality, it is crucial to remember that within the broader book of Ezekiel and other prophetic writings, God also promises future restoration, a new covenant, and a spiritual renewal for His people, offering hope even after severe judgment, as seen in Ezekiel 36:26.
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.

  • 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.
 Back

Search Scripture