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Ezekiel 15

The Parable of the Useless Vine

1The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

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

3Will wood be taken of it to make anything? Will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on it?

4Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire has devoured both its ends, and the middle of it is burned. Is it profitable for any work?

5Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it has been burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?”

6Therefore the Lord GOD says: “As the vine wood among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

7I will set my face against them. They will go out from the fire, but the fire will still devour them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

8I will make the land desolate, because they have acted unfaithfully,” says the Lord GOD.

Previous Ezekiel 14
Next Ezekiel 16

Through the parable of a useless vine, God declares His judgment upon Jerusalem's inhabitants. Unlike other trees whose wood serves practical purposes, vine wood is worthless except as fuel for fire. God applies this metaphor to Jerusalem, explaining that just as vine wood is only good for burning, the unfaithful people will face divine judgment through fire, making the land desolate due to their persistent disobedience.

Context

This parable follows the previous chapters' condemnations of false prophets and idolatry, continuing Ezekiel's series of judgment oracles against Jerusalem before its destruction.

Key Themes

Outline

  • 1-2
    The Vine Question God asks Ezekiel to consider what makes vine wood superior to other forest trees.
  • 3-5
    The Vine's Uselessness God explains that vine wood serves no practical purpose and is only useful as fuel for fire.
  • 6-8
    Jerusalem's Judgment God applies the vine metaphor to Jerusalem's inhabitants, promising fire judgment and desolation for their unfaithfulness.

The Parable of the Useless Vine

15:1–15:8
prophecy vision wrathful

God uses the metaphor of a useless vine to illustrate Jerusalem's worthlessness and coming destruction due to unfaithfulness. The parable emphasizes that just as vine wood is only good for burning, Jerusalem will be consumed by divine judgment.

person_contrast

Ezekiel transforms the culturally positive vine metaphor—Israel's traditional symbol of blessing—into a devastating image of complete uselessness, since vine wood serves no practical purpose except fuel for fire.

Insights

Insight Character Study

Ezekiel transforms the culturally positive vine metaphor—Israel's traditional symbol of blessing—into a devastating image of complete uselessness, since vine wood serves no practical purpose except fuel for fire.

About: The Parable of the Useless Vine

Interlinear

Word-by-word original language

v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8

Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

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