Jerusalem Portrayed as a Useless Vine
Ezekiel 15:1-8
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Eze.15.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:4 (verbal): Uses the same prophetic formula (“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying”) to introduce a divine communication and call.
- Hosea 1:1 (verbal): Opens the book with the phrase “The word of the LORD that came to Hosea,” a comparable introductory formula for an oracle.
- Jonah 1:1 (verbal): Begins with “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah,” the same standard wording used to announce a prophetic message.
- Ezekiel 13:1 (structural): Another occurrence within Ezekiel where “the word of the LORD came unto me, saying” introduces a distinct oracle—shows the book’s recurring structural formula.
- Ezekiel 20:1 (structural): Similarly introduces a new prophetic address in Ezekiel with the identical formula, paralleling 15:1’s function as an oracle introduction.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Eze.15.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגפן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מכל: PREP
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזמורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בעצי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): Uses the vineyard/vine metaphor to represent Israel and judicial failure; like Ezekiel the passage treats vine imagery to explain Israel’s character and coming judgment.
- Psalm 80:8-16 (thematic): Speaks of a vine transplanted from Egypt and pleads for its restoration—uses vine imagery to depict Israel’s vulnerability and need for God’s care.
- Judges 9:8-15 (verbal): Parable of the trees (including the vine) deliberating about a king; explicitly groups the vine with other forest trees, echoing the comparison of vine and forest.
- Jeremiah 2:21 (allusion): God likens Israel to a choice vine that has become degenerate—similar vine-as-nation imagery highlighting corruption and worthlessness.
- John 15:1 (thematic): Jesus’ 'I am the true vine' teaching uses the vine motif to define relationship and fruitfulness, providing a theological contrast to prophetic judgments that depict the vine as fit only for burning.
Alternative generated candidates
- Son of man, what is the vine tree among the trees of the forest?
- Son of man, what is the vine-tree among the trees of the forest?
Eze.15.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- היקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- למלאכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- יקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יתד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לתלות: VERB,qal,inf
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
Parallels
- Ezekiel 15:1-5 (structural): Immediate context: the whole oracle treats the vine as worthless wood — not fit for building or for making pegs — which explains and amplifies v.3's rhetorical questions about use of vine‑wood.
- Judges 9:8-15 (thematic): Jotham's parable of the trees features the vine declining kingship because its chief function is to produce wine; both texts stress the vine's primary use (fruit/wine) and its unsuitability for other utilitarian purposes like timber or pegs.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The 'song of the vineyard' uses vineyard/vine imagery to portray Israel's failure and coming judgment; like Ezek.15.3, it employs the vine motif to speak about fruitlessness and the consequences of being unfit for intended purposes.
- Hosea 10:1 (thematic): Describes Israel as a luxuriant vine whose fruit is worthless; parallels Ezek.15.3 in portraying the vine/Israel as failing to serve its proper, productive role and thus subject to censure.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is wood taken from it to make any work? Do they take from it a peg to hang any vessel on it?
- Can one take from it a stick for work, or take from it a peg to hang any vessel on it?
Eze.15.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- לאש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאכלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- קצותיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON3,m,sg
- אכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ותוכו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON3,m,sg
- נחר: ADJ,m,sg
- היצלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למלאכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Matthew 7:19 (thematic): Both verses use the image of a useless tree being cut down and thrown into the fire — condemnation of what bears no fruit.
- John 15:6 (allusion): Uses vine/branch imagery like Ezekiel 15: the unfruitful branch is gathered, thrown into the fire and burned (judicial/eschatological pruning and destruction).
- 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (structural): Compares human work to materials (wood, hay, straw) that are tested by fire; worthless material is burned — similar motif of fire consuming what is of no lasting value.
- Proverbs 26:21 (verbal): Employs the simile 'as wood to the fire' — a direct verbal image of wood fueling and being consumed by flame, echoing Ezekiel’s description of wood given to the fire.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and its middle is charred—can it then be used for any work?
- Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel; the fire devours its two ends, and its inward part is burned—can it then be used for any work?
Eze.15.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- בהיותו: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- למלאכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אף: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אכלתהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- ונעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- למלאכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- John 15:6 (verbal): Branches that do not abide in the vine are gathered and cast into the fire—echoes the image of vine-wood consumed by fire and rendered useless.
- Matthew 7:19 (thematic): Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire—parallels the verdict that unproductive wood (or people) is for burning.
- 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (thematic): Works tested by fire, with inferior work consumed so the builder suffers loss—parallels the idea of destruction by fire leaving nothing useful.
- Hebrews 6:8 (verbal): A field that yields thorns and briers is worthless and in danger of being cursed and burned—similar language of being worthless and destined for burning.
- Isaiah 5:24 (verbal): ‘Therefore as the fire devours the stubble’—uses the image of fire devouring plant material as a metaphor of judgment, akin to Ezekiel’s burned vine-wood.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, when it was whole it was not fit for any work; how much less, when the fire has eaten it up and it is charred—will it ever be fit for any work?
- Behold, when it was whole it was not fit for any work; how much less, when the fire has consumed and charred it, can it serve for any work?
Eze.15.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגפן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בעץ: PREP
- היער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg+3,m,sg(obj)
- לאש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאכלה: PREP
- כן: ADV
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 15:3-5 (structural): Immediate context: the chapter develops the vine/wood metaphor (the vine is not a useful timber tree and is fit only to be fuel), which leads directly to the judgment declared in 15:6.
- John 15:6 (verbal): Uses very similar imagery—branches that do not abide in the vine are thrown away, wither, and are gathered and burned—connecting fruitlessness with being cast into the fire as judgment.
- Matthew 3:10 (verbal): John the Baptist’s warning that every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire echoes the image of worthless vegetation being given to the fire as divine judgment.
- Isaiah 5:1-6 (thematic): The Song of the Vineyard portrays the vineyard (Israel) failing to produce good fruit and receiving God’s judgment—parallel use of vine/vineyard as a symbol of Israel and justification for punitive action.
- Hosea 10:1 (thematic): Portrays Israel as a luxuriant vine whose failure to honor God brings divine judgment; uses vine imagery to explain Israel’s prosperity tied to impending punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As the vine-tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Eze.15.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מהאש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והאש: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- תאכלם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בשומי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 15:6 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter: the vine‑wood is fit only for fuel and when cast into the fire is consumed—continues the same image of burning and uselessness.
- Ezekiel 6:10 (verbal): Similar prophetic formula linking divine punishment with the declaration 'you shall know that I am the LORD' after describing destruction brought by God's action.
- Isaiah 5:24 (thematic): Uses the image of fire devouring stubble and chaff as a metaphor for God's judgment that consumes the worthless—parallel imagery of combustible, useless vegetation destroyed by fire.
- Leviticus 10:2 (thematic): Narrative of divine fire coming forth and consuming Nadab and Abihu—a theological motif of God's consuming fire executing judgment on what is unacceptable.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will set my face against them; from the fire they shall go out, and the fire shall consume them; and you shall know that I am the LORD when I set my face against them.
- And I will set my face against them; from my presence the fire will go forth and devour them, and you shall know that I am the LORD when I set my face against them.
Eze.15.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שממה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- מעלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מעל: PREP
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 5:11-12 (verbal): A close Ezekiel parallel in which Yahweh declares he will make the land desolate because the people have defiled it—language and judgment closely mirror Ezek.15:8.
- Deuteronomy 29:20 (verbal): Covenant-curse language: one who turns from the LORD brings a fate where 'the land of his possession shall be a desolation,' echoing the motive and result in Ezek.15:8.
- Leviticus 18:28 (thematic): God warns that the land will 'vomit out' inhabitants who commit abominations; links communal sin to the land's rejection and desolation, a theme underlying Ezek.15:8.
- Leviticus 26:31-33 (allusion): Part of the covenant curses promising cities and the land will be made desolate and the people scattered—parallels Ezekiel’s proclamation of land devastation as punishment.
- Isaiah 24:5-6 (thematic): Describes the earth defiled by human transgression so that the land mourns and becomes desolate; thematically parallels Ezekiel’s connection between sin and the land’s desolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will make the land a desolation because of their treachery—declares the Lord GOD.
- And I will make the land a desolation because of them—because of their treachery, declares the Lord GOD.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Son of man, what is the vine among the trees of the forest?
Can wood be taken from it to make anything? Can one take from it a peg on which to hang any vessel?
Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, its heart is charred—can it be fit for any work?
See, though it was whole, it was not made for work; yet when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, would it then be fit for any work?
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: As I gave the vine among the trees of the forest to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will set my face against them; from my presence they shall go forth, and fire shall consume them—and you will know that I am the LORD when I set my face against them. And I will make the land desolate because of their transgression, declares the Lord GOD.