Ezekiel 15:4
Ezekiel 15:4 in Multiple Translations
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?
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?
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?
See, it is put into the fire for burning: the fire has made a meal of its two ends and the middle part of it is burned; is it good for any work?
No, you just throw it on the fire to keep the fire burning. Even then the fire burns both ends, but only chars the middle part. Can you use it for anything?
Behold, it is cast in the fire to be consumed: the fire consumeth both the endes of it, and the middes of it is burnt. Is it meete for any worke?
Lo, to the fire it hath been given for fuel, Its two ends hath the fire eaten, And its midst hath been scorched! Is it profitable for work?
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?
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 suitable for any work?
Behold it is cast into the fire for fuel: the fire hath consumed both ends thereof, and the midst thereof is reduced to ashes: shall it be useful for any work?
And after a branch of a grapevine is thrown into a fire, and the fire burns both ends and chars/scorches the branch in the middle, will it then be useful for anything?
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 15:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 15:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הִנֵּ֥ה
לָ/אֵ֖שׁ
נִתַּ֣ן
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
אֵת֩
שְׁנֵ֨י
קְצוֹתָ֜י/ו
אָכְלָ֤ה
הָ/אֵשׁ֙
וְ/תוֹכ֣/וֹ
נָחָ֔ר
הֲ/יִצְלַ֖ח
לִ/מְלָאכָֽה
הִנֵּ֥ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
לָ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Prep | N-cs
נִתַּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
ʼoklâh
H402
food
Prep | N-fs
אֵת֩
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שְׁנֵ֨י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
קְצוֹתָ֜י/ו
qâtsâh
H7098
end
N-cp | Suff
אָכְלָ֤ה
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
הָ/אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Art | N-cs
וְ/תוֹכ֣/וֹ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Conj | N-ms | Suff
נָחָ֔ר
chârar
H2787
to scorch
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
הֲ/יִצְלַ֖ח
tsâlach
H6743
to rush
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לִ/מְלָאכָֽה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 15:4
הִנֵּ֥ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
לָ/אֵ֖שׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Prep | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
נִתַּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ/אָכְלָ֑ה
ʼoklâh
H402
"food"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means food or something to eat, like in Psalm 78:25 where it describes manna from heaven. It can also mean being consumed by something, like fire or wild beasts. This word is used in many Old Testament stories.
Definition: 1) food 1a) food, eating 1b) object of devouring, consuming 1b1) by wild beasts (figurative) 1b2) in fire 1b3) of judgment (figurative)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: consume, devour, eat, food, meat. See also: Genesis 1:29; Ezekiel 15:6; Jeremiah 12:9.
אֵת֩
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שְׁנֵ֨י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
קְצוֹתָ֜י/ו
qâtsâh
H7098
"end"
N-cp | Suff
In the book of Isaiah, this word means the end or termination of something. It can also refer to a corner or edge of a territory. This word is used to describe the limits of God's creation.
Definition: 1) end, extremity 1a) end 1b) from the whole of, from among (of what is included between extremities)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: coast, corner, (selv-) edge, lowest, (uttermost) participle See also: Exodus 25:18; Exodus 39:18; Psalms 19:7.
אָכְלָ֤ה
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
הָ/אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Art | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
וְ/תוֹכ֣/וֹ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
נָחָ֔ר
chârar
H2787
"to scorch"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
To scorch means to burn or dry up something, like a plant in the desert. In the Bible, this word can also mean to be angry or passionate, like in Psalm 69:9 where it describes a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to burn, be hot, be scorched, be charred 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be hot, be scorched 1a2) to burn, be burned 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be scorched, be burned 1b2) to burn 1b3) to be dry, be angry 1c) (Pilpel) to cause to burn Aramaic equivalent: cha.rakh (חֲרַךְ "to singe" H2761)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, dry, kindle. See also: Job 30:30; Isaiah 24:6; Psalms 69:4.
הֲ/יִצְלַ֖ח
tsâlach
H6743
"to rush"
Part | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To prosper or succeed, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis, who rose to power in Egypt. This Hebrew word means to push forward and make progress. It is used to describe success and prosperity.
Definition: (Qal) to rush
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, -ously). See also: Genesis 24:21; 2 Chronicles 26:5; Psalms 1:3.
לִ/מְלָאכָֽה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
Prep | N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 15:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 15:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 15:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 15:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 15:4
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 15:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
- Sermons on Ezekiel 15:4
Context — Jerusalem the Useless Vine
2“Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?
3Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils?
4No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything?
5Even 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! 6Therefore 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Isaiah 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. |
| 3 | Psalms 80:16 | Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. |
| 4 | Isaiah 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. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 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.” |
| 6 | Hebrews 6:8 | But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned. |
| 7 | Malachi 4:1 | “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” |
| 8 | Hebrews 12:29 | “For our God is a consuming fire.” |
| 9 | Matthew 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.” |
| 10 | Amos 4:11 | “Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. |
Ezekiel 15:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that something that is only good for burning is not very useful, and that's what the people of Jerusalem were like when they were not following God. They were like a piece of wood that's only good for throwing into the fire, as mentioned in Ezekiel 15:4. This is similar to what Jesus said in John 15:6, that if we do not abide in Him, we will be thrown away like a branch that is not useful. We should strive to be useful for God's purposes, like a tree that bears good fruit, as seen in Matthew 7:17-20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the wood of the vine represent in Ezekiel 15:4?
The wood of the vine represents the people of Jerusalem, as explained in Ezekiel 15:6, and is used by God to illustrate their uselessness for His purposes when they are not surrendered to Him, much like the wood of a vine is not useful for making things, as mentioned in Ezekiel 15:3.
Why is the wood cast into the fire for fuel?
The wood is cast into the fire for fuel because it is useless for any other purpose, as stated in Ezekiel 15:4, and this serves as a warning to the people of Jerusalem that if they do not turn to God, they will face judgment, as seen in Isaiah 5:1-7 and Jeremiah 7:1-20.
What does the fire devouring both ends and the middle being charred signify?
The fire devouring both ends and the middle being charred signifies the complete and utter destruction of the wood, leaving it useless for anything, which is a picture of the destruction that comes upon those who reject God, as seen in John 15:6 and Hebrews 6:8.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse serves as a reminder that if we are not surrendered to God and being used for His purposes, we are like the wood of the vine - useless and destined for destruction, but if we repent and turn to Him, we can be useful and fruitful, as seen in Romans 11:16-24 and 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be like the wood of the vine, useless for God's purposes, and how can I change that?
- How can I ensure that my life is being used for God's purposes and not just being consumed by the fires of the world?
- What does it mean to be 'charred' by the fires of sin and how can I avoid that in my own life?
- In what ways can I be useful for God's kingdom, and how can I make myself available to Him for His purposes?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 15:4
Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel, That is; a vine tree when cut down, or a branch when cut off, it is good for nothing else; and that is the use it is generally put to; see John 15:6; and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 15:4
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?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
When for its barrenness it is cut down, it is fit only to be burnt. Nor is it a choice fuel neither, a little branch of a tree of the forest is better, and affords more fuel.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
Ezekiel 15:4 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?Ver. 4. Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel.] But then it must be taken before it be overly dry; and so Cornelius A Lapide testifieth that they burn little else in Italy but fagots made of vine branches. See John 15:6. The midst of it is burned.] Ustulatum; scorched and seared, so that it is altogether unuseful, and is therefore cast again into the fire, out of which, for some other purpose, it had been pulled. Woe to apostates; the hottest fire in hell abideth them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
XV. This short chapter contains a single simile and its application, designed to show that Israel, having failed to fulfil the purpose for which they had been chosen, were worthless, and could have no other end than destruction. (2) What is the vine tree?—The comparison of Israel to a vine or to a vineyard is common in Scripture (Psalms 80:8-13; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1; Matthew 21:33-41, &c.) and is very apt; for the vine, bringing forth its appointed fruit, was among the most precious of the earth’s productions, but failing this, was utterly worthless for anything but fuel. The fact that Israel did not yield the fruit required is not especially mentioned, being taken for granted here, and abundantly expressed in the connected prophecies. The fruit of righteousness, as our Lord has shown in John 15:1-8, under the same figure of the vine, is only possible by a steadfast clinging to the Source of righteousness, and this was the point in which the Jews of this time had signally failed. (5) How much less shall it be meet?—The worthlessness of the wood of the vine having been shown in Ezekiel 15:3, and it having been said in Ezekiel 15:4 that it is therefore “cast into the fire,” the climax is here reached. According to Ezekiel 15:4, it is burned off at the ends, and then the remnants are pushed also into the fire to be burned, just as one would do with grape branches to save the trouble of cutting them up. This comparison is carried out in Ezekiel 15:7. (7) Shall go out from one fire and another fire . . .—The words one and another are not in the original and may be omitted, and the articles inserted: “they go from the fire, and the fire devours them.” This was exactly the condition of Israel. Partially consumed in the fire of the Divine judgments, they had been again and again overtaken.
The “ends” were already gone; now “the midst of it” was to be burned up—the final result, as always, being a recognition of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
Verse 4. The fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned.] Judea is like a vine branch thrown into the fire, which seizes on both the ends, and scorches the middle: so both the extremities of the land is wasted; and the middle, Jerusalem, is now threatened with a siege, and by and by will be totally destroyed.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 15:4
4. A hypothetical sentence: Behold, when it hath been cast into the fire for fuel, when the fire hath devoured both the ends of it, and the midst of it is charred, will it be meet for any work? This part of the similitude is borrowed from the actual instance of Israel. As it is Jerusalem, including Judah, that is compared to the vine, the burning of the ends and scorching of the middle probably refers to the calamities sustained by that kingdom, such as the captivity under Jehoiachin and other severe reverses.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 15:4
Behold, it is cast into the fire - The wood is in itself useless for any purpose; but what if it have been cast into the fire, and half burned, what of it then?
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:4
OF THE VINE TREE WITH OTHER TREES.It is significant that AEsop was a contemporary of Ezekiel, and that this sixth century B.C. marks the era of constant intercourse between the Hebrews and the surrounding peoples.
Sermons on Ezekiel 15:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Bearing Fruit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining communion with the Lord in order to glorify Him and bear fruit. He warns against filling our minds with worldl |
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Grafted in Christ by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a vine and its branches to explain the relationship between believers and Jesus. He emphasizes that just as a vineyard owner prunes |
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"Ministry of Jesus to Troubled disciples." Ch. 14 (Keswick Convention 1973) by Eric J. Alexander | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of resting on the wisdom, word, and work of God. He highlights that our faith and confidence should be specific and grounded |
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Die Feinde Des Evangeliums Sollen Abgeschnitten Werden (German) by Richard Wurmbrand | In this sermon, a young man shares his personal testimony of being freed from prison and his desire for forgiveness from his father. He believes that if he sees white bags hanging |
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(Fury of Fire) 09 - Close to Being Cursed by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares from Matthew 13. He explains that the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom, while the tears re |
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The Saint's Horror at the Sinner's Hell by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the gathering of sinners and the consequences they face. He uses the example of the rebellion of Korah and his followers, who were |
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(John 15 #1) I Am the True Vine by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the statement made by Jesus, "I am the true vine." He emphasizes that even though the disciples had been familiar with the concept of the vi |