About Ezekiel

Ezekiel proclaimed God's judgment from Babylon, using dramatic visions and symbolic acts, while promising future restoration.

Author: EzekielWritten: c. 593-571 BCReading time: ~1 minVerses: 8
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Jerusalem(Settlement)

King James Version

Ezekiel 15

8 verses with commentary

Jerusalem, A Useless Vine

1

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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This prophetic formula introduces a parable about Israel as a vine, a common Old Testament metaphor (Psalm 80:8-16, Isaiah 5:1-7). The vine imagery emphasizes Israel's covenant relationship with God and her dependency on Him for fruitfulness. Unlike the parables of Jesus, Ezekiel's parables often carry judgment themes, revealing God's holiness and Israel's unfaithfulness.
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?

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The rhetorical question highlights that vine wood is useless for construction or tools—its sole value lies in bearing fruit. This illustrates that Israel's purpose was to glorify God and bless the nations (Genesis 12:3), not to be valued for inherent national greatness. When covenant people fail their calling, they become worthless like unfruitful vine wood.
3

Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

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The uselessness of vine wood for even basic tasks like making pegs emphasizes total worthlessness apart from fruit-bearing. This parallels Jesus' teaching in John 15:5-6 that branches severed from the vine are fit only for burning. The rhetorical question demands acknowledgment of Israel's complete dependence on covenant relationship for any value.
4

Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work? Is it: Heb. Will it prosper?

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Fire judgment imagery appears throughout Ezekiel (chapters 5, 16, 19, 21). The partially burned vine wood is even more useless—judgment has already begun but not completed. This refers to the deportations under Jehoiachin (597 BC) which Jerusalem survived but failed to repent from, making final destruction inevitable.
5

Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? meet: Heb. made fit

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The logical progression is devastating: if vine wood was worthless when whole, partial destruction makes it completely useless. This refutes any hope that Jerusalem's partial judgment would leave her viable. The argument moves from less to greater, a common prophetic technique (qal wahomer in Hebrew logic).
6

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

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God directly applies the parable: Jerusalem's inhabitants are the fruitless vine destined for fire. The phrase 'set my face against them' appears throughout Ezekiel (14:8, 15:7) signifying irreversible judgment. This doesn't contradict God's mercy but reveals that persistent rebellion exhausts patience, especially for those with covenant privileges (Amos 3:2).
7

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

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The phrase 'they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them' indicates that escaping the first judgment (597 BC deportation) wouldn't save them from final destruction (586 BC). Each judgment is meant to reveal the LORD's character and sovereignty. The covenant formula 'ye shall know that I am the LORD' appears over 60 times in Ezekiel.
8

And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD. committed: Heb. trespassed a trespass

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The land's desolation reflects covenant curses (Leviticus 26:31-35, Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The Hebrew word 'ma'al' (trespassed/acted unfaithfully) is a technical term for covenant violation, emphasizing that judgment stems from broken relationship, not arbitrary divine wrath. This reveals God's righteousness in judgment.

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