Ezekiel 15:2

Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, [or than] a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, What is the vine {H1612} tree {H6086} more than any tree {H6086}, or than a branch {H2156} which is among the trees {H6086} of the forest {H3293}?

"Human being, why should wood from a grapevine be better than some other kind of wood, than some branch that one might find among the trees of the forest?

“Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?

Son of man, what is the vine-tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Commentary

Ezekiel 15:2 introduces a powerful and somber parable, delivered by God to the prophet Ezekiel, addressing the spiritual condition of Jerusalem and the people of Israel. The verse poses a rhetorical question, designed to highlight the inherent worthlessness of a vine that fails to fulfill its primary purpose: bearing fruit.

Context of Ezekiel 15:2

The book of Ezekiel is set during the Babylonian exile, with Ezekiel prophesying to the exiles in Babylon. Chapters 1-14 detail God's judgment against Judah and Jerusalem due to their rampant idolatry, rebellion, and moral corruption. Following graphic descriptions of Jerusalem's depravity, chapter 15 shifts to a stark parable about the vine. Historically, Israel was often likened to a vine or vineyard in the Old Testament, representing God's chosen people whom He had carefully cultivated. This imagery can be seen in passages like Psalm 80:8, where God brought a vine out of Egypt, and more significantly, in the "Song of the Vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1-7, which also depicts Israel as a vineyard that failed to produce good fruit. Ezekiel 15 takes this metaphor further, questioning the very value of the vine's wood itself.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Worthlessness of Unfruitful Israel: The central message is that Israel, chosen and cultivated by God to bear spiritual fruit (righteousness, justice, faithfulness), had become barren. Without fruit, the vine's wood is inferior to other trees; it's twisted, weak, and not useful for construction or craftsmanship. This illustrates Jerusalem's spiritual degeneracy and its impending judgment.
  • Divine Judgment and Purpose: The parable underscores God's righteous judgment on those who fail to live up to their calling. God's people were meant to be a blessing to the nations, but their unfruitfulness led to their destruction. The question "What is the vine tree more than any tree...?" implies "nothing" – its only value is in its fruit, and if it has none, it's fit only for burning.
  • God's Expectations: The verse implicitly reveals God's expectation for His chosen people to be productive. Their unique status as God's vine came with the responsibility of yielding good fruit. When this responsibility is neglected, their privileged position becomes meaningless.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vine" is gephen (גֶּפֶן), and "tree" is ‘ets (עֵץ). The rhetorical question "What is the vine tree more than any tree...?" emphasizes the vine's peculiar nature. Unlike other trees that yield valuable timber even if they don't produce fruit, the vine's wood is generally poor quality – gnarled, soft, and unsuitable for building or crafting. Its entire value lies in its fruit. If it produces no grapes, its wood is considered useless, even less valuable than a common branch from the forest. This highlights the severity of Israel's spiritual barrenness in God's eyes.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 15:2 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of spiritual fruitfulness. Just as Israel was God's chosen vine, Christians are called to be branches connected to Jesus, the True Vine, as described in John 15. The purpose of this connection is to "bear much fruit" (John 15:5) – fruit of the Spirit, righteousness, and works that glorify God. This passage warns against complacency, emphasizing that spiritual identity and privilege are meaningless without corresponding spiritual productivity. Our value in God's kingdom is tied not to our mere existence or outward affiliation, but to the fruit we bear through our walk with Him.

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Cross-References

  • Hosea 10:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Israel [is] an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

  • Isaiah 5:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

  • Isaiah 5:7 (3 votes)

    For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts [is] the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

  • Psalms 80:8 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 80:16 (3 votes)

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

  • Song Of Solomon 6:11 (2 votes)

    ¶ I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, [and] to see whether the vine flourished, [and] the pomegranates budded.

  • Song Of Solomon 7:12 (2 votes)

    Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, [whether] the tender grape appear, [and] the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.