Ezekiel 15:4

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?

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?

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?

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.

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 a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 80:16

    It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 27:11

    When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

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  • Matthew 3:12

    Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

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  • Isaiah 1:31

    And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

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  • Hebrews 6:8

    But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

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  • Hebrews 12:29

    For our God is a consuming fire.

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  • Ezekiel 19:14

    And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

    Read in context