Ezekiel 15:4
2 “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?
3 Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils?
No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?
5 Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful. How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!
6 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so I will give up the people of Jerusalem.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?
- 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?
- WEB
- Behold, 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?
- ASV
- Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire hath devoured both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned: is it profitable for any work?
- DARBY
- Behold, it is given to the fire for fuel: the fire consumeth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned; is it fit for [any] work?
- BLB
- Behold, it is given to the fire for food; the two of its ends the fire devours, and the middle of it is burned. Is it useful for work?
- ÅB
- Nei, en gir ilden den til føde; ilden fortærer begge endene, og midten blir forbrent; duer den vel da til å gjøre noe arbeid med?
- OTB
- Hvis den kastes i ilden som brensel, og ilden fortærer begge ender og svir midten, er den da nyttig til noe?
- B1930
- Nei, en gir ilden den til føde; ilden fortærer begge endene, og midten blir forbrent; duer den vel da til å gjøre noget arbeid med?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Read in contextPsalms 80:16
Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
Read in contextIsaiah 27:11
When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
Read in contextMatthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Read in contextIsaiah 1:31
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.
Read in contextHebrews 6:8
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
Read in contextHebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
Read in contextEzekiel 19:14
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”
Read in context