King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 15:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 15:4 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Ezekiel 15:4 · KJV

Context

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?

3

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

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?

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

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.

Read Ezekiel 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 597 BC deportation took Ezekiel and 10,000 nobles to Babylon, but Jerusalem continued under Zedekiah's weak leadership. Rather than repenting, the remaining people grew more defiant, sealing their fate.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should God's past mercies and warnings motivate present obedience rather than presumption?
  2. What 'wake-up calls' from God have you experienced but perhaps not fully heeded?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הִנֵּ֥ה1 of 13
H2009

lo!

הָאֵשׁ֙2 of 13

“into the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

נִתַּ֣ן3 of 13

“Behold it is cast”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְאָכְלָ֑ה4 of 13

“for fuel”

H402

food

אֵת֩5 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁנֵ֨י6 of 13

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

קְצוֹתָ֜יו7 of 13

“the ends”

H7098

a termination

אָכְלָ֤ה8 of 13

“devoureth”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הָאֵשׁ֙9 of 13

“into the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְתוֹכ֣וֹ10 of 13

“of it and the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

נָחָ֔ר11 of 13

“of it is burned”

H2787

to glow, i.e., literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)

הֲיִצְלַ֖ח12 of 13

“Is it meet”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

לִמְלָאכָֽה׃13 of 13

“for any work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 15:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 15:6Psalms 80:16Isaiah 27:11Hebrews 12:29Isaiah 1:31Matthew 3:12

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Ezekiel 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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