Ezekiel 15 4

Ezekiel 15:4 kjv

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?

Ezekiel 15:4 nkjv

Instead, it is thrown into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both ends of it, and its middle is burned. Is it useful for any work?

Ezekiel 15:4 niv

And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything?

Ezekiel 15:4 esv

Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel. When the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred, is it useful for anything?

Ezekiel 15:4 nlt

No, it can only be used for fuel, and even as fuel, it burns too quickly.

Ezekiel 15 verses

Ezekiel 15 4 Meaning

The Lord declares that He has not taken Israel to be a part of His people as a choice made when it was in a worthless state. Instead, He chose Jerusalem. It highlights that Jerusalem, and by extension Israel, was chosen not for its inherent strength or merit but purely by God's sovereign grace and will, even when it was seemingly unfruitful or flawed.

Ezekiel 15 4 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel chapter 15, which uses the metaphor of a useless vine branch to depict Jerusalem and its people. God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiles in Babylon. Jerusalem, like a worthless piece of wood that has been burned, is now incapable of producing any fruit or serving any purpose due to its sins. The prophet is delivering God's judgment against Jerusalem for its idolatry and unfaithfulness. This message of judgment is contextualized within the larger prophetic narrative of Israel's covenant relationship with God, their repeated transgressions, and the impending destruction of Jerusalem. The imagery emphasizes the consequence of their persistent rebellion, highlighting that they have rendered themselves fit only for destruction.

Ezekiel 15 4 Word Analysis

• "Behold" (Hebrew: ראה - re'eh): An interjection commanding attention, urging the listener to see or consider something. It signifies an important pronouncement or observation.
• "it is thrown" (Hebrew: יִשָּׁלֵךְ - yishshalekh): A passive verb in the Hiphil stem, indicating it is cast or thrown by someone. God is the implied agent in this metaphorical usage.
• "into the fire" (Hebrew: בָּאֵשׁ - ba'esh): Into or for the fire. Refers to a furnace or conflagration.
• "for fuel" (Hebrew: לְמַאֲכֹלֶת - lema'akholet): For food or sustenance for the fire, indicating its purpose in being consumed.
• "The fire" (Hebrew: הָאֵשׁ - ha'esh): The specific fire.
• "has consumed" (Hebrew: אָכְלָה - 'akhla): Consumed, ate up.
• "both ends" (Hebrew: לִפְתּוֹתֶיהָ - liphtotehah): The ends, the extremity, the side of the stake or pole. Refers to the extremities of the branch.
• "and the middle of it is charred" (Hebrew: וּמִקְצֹתֶיהָ נִצְרְפָה - umiktzeotehah nitsrepha): And its ends/sides are scorched or burnt. The charred middle shows complete destruction, rendering it useless.
• "Is it useful for anything?" (Hebrew: הֲיִּמְתָּע לְמְלָאכֶה - hayimta' lemela'ekhah): Will it be useful for work or task. It's a rhetorical question implying complete worthlessness.
• "though I made it a clean splinter" (Hebrew: הֲלוֹא בְּמִצַּפַּי אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתִי - hal'o bemittsappay 'asher 'asiti): Or "was it not of fine wood" or "even if from a stake I made it." Some interpret this as it was chosen even when it was just a piece of wood from the forest, intended for a purpose. However, the subsequent negation clarifies it’s a contrast; even if it was initially a suitable stake (or splinter), its current state makes it useless. The verb "made" ('asiti) refers to God's shaping and intending it.
• "when I brought it out of the fire" (Hebrew: כְּשֶׁאֶצְמַע אוֹתוֹ מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ - keshe'etsma' oto mitokh ha'esh): When I removed it from the midst of the fire. This could refer to God initially taking it as part of Israel, rescuing it from earlier difficult situations, but it now fails to serve its purpose.
• "it is still a splinter of wood" (Hebrew: עוֹדֶנּוּ עֵץ - `odenun 'etz): It is still wood. Emphasizing its material nature and inherent inability to change its ultimate fate if burned.
• "and it is left for the fire to consume." (Hebrew: וַיְּשׁוּב לַמַּאֲכֹלֶת - vayeshuv lamma'akholet): And it returns for consumption. It is destined to be consumed.
• "I did not choose you": A declaration of God's grace.
• "because you were more numerous than other peoples": Addressing Israel's size.
• "for you were the fewest": Israel was never the largest nation.
• "I chose you": Affirmation of His choice.
• "for my own": Possession and special relationship.
• "but because of my faithfulness": The root reason for election.
• "and my gracious promise": The covenant basis of His election.

Word-group analysis:

• "Behold, it is thrown into the fire for fuel. The fire has consumed both ends, and the middle of it is charred. Is it useful for anything?" This entire phrase serves as a powerful rhetorical question highlighting Jerusalem's complete uselessness. The imagery progresses from being thrown into the fire, to being consumed at the ends, and finally having its middle charred, symbolizing a total and irreversible destruction that leaves it good for nothing.
• "Though I made it a clean splinter when I brought it out of the fire, it is still a splinter of wood; and it is left for the fire to consume." This expresses a lament and a confirmation of fate. It implies that even if at some point it had potential (represented by being a clean splinter, possibly from God’s initial drawing near to it), its current state of being completely burned and useless means its destiny is consumption by fire. The contrast underscores the failure of Jerusalem to fulfill its intended purpose.

Ezekiel 15 4 Bonus Section

The prophet Ezekiel often uses metaphors of nature, like trees and vines, to communicate spiritual truths. The vine was a common symbol for Israel, often representing their relationship with God and their fruit-bearing potential. In Isaiah 5, a similar vineyard song is sung by the prophet, lamenting the vineyard's failure to produce good grapes, symbolizing Israel's failure to produce righteousness. The theme of God's unconditional love versus His righteous judgment is central to Ezekiel’s prophecy and the Old Testament. God’s choice of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) is presented not as an endorsement of their merit but as a demonstration of His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The judgment of fire, as seen here, often signifies purification but also utter destruction for the incorrigibly wicked, reflecting the severity of sin in God's eyes and the ultimate accountability of His people. This passage prepares the way for the more detailed indictment of Jerusalem in chapter 16, painting a picture of profound failure and impending wrath.

Ezekiel 15 4 Commentary

Ezekiel 15 presents Jerusalem as a dead, useless vine branch, utterly unfit for any purpose and destined for the fire. This chapter vividly illustrates the consequence of unfaithfulness. God had once chosen Jerusalem, bringing it forth as a nation, but its persistent sin has rendered it beyond usefulness, much like wood charred by fire. The passage also provides a foundational theological statement about God’s election: His choice of Israel was not based on their greatness or number, but solely on His sovereign love, faithfulness, and the promises He made to their forefathers. This divine election underscores Israel's privilege but also their profound responsibility. When they fail to live up to this covenant status, they become subject to judgment. The judgment depicted is total, leaving no room for hope of rehabilitation for this particular "branch" as it currently is. The entire nation of Israel, symbolized by Jerusalem, is described as fundamentally spoiled and worthy of fire due to its idolatry and sin, rendering it unsuitable for the purposes God intended for His people. This message is a stern warning against complacency and a reminder of the consequences of breaking covenant.