EzekielChapter 15

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The word of the LORD came to me:

Son of man, how is the wood of the vine better than any other wood, the branch that grows among the trees of the forest?

Is any of its wood taken to make something useful? Does anyone take from it a peg to hang a vessel on?

See—it is given to the fire as fuel. The fire consumes both its ends, and its middle is charred. Is it good for anything then?

When it was whole, nothing could be made of it; how much less, now that the fire has consumed it and it is charred!

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 as fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

I will set my face against them. Though they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.

I will make the land a desolation, because they have been utterly unfaithful, declares the Lord GOD.

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Summary2

Chapter 15

Main Theme: Jerusalem is like grapevine wood—useless and destined for the fire because of the people's unfaithfulness.

Content: God asks the prophet what grapevine wood is worth compared to other types of timber. The answer is nothing—it is fit neither for craftsmanship nor even for a peg, whether it is whole or already scorched by fire. In the same way, God has handed over the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the fire. They have been unfaithful, and the land will be laid waste.

Key Words/Images:

Grapevine wood: Symbolizes Jerusalem—valuable only for its fruit (obedience), but the wood itself is worthless.
The fire: God's judgment that consumes what has no useful value.
Unfaithfulness (ma'al): The specific term for Jerusalem's sin—a breach of the covenant relationship with God.
Recognition formula: "You shall know that I am the Lord"—the judgment will reveal God's identity and power.

Historical context

Key Concepts

The Vine Tree (עֵץ־הַגֶּפֶן, ets-hagefen)

Israel was often portrayed as God’s vine or vineyard in the Old Testament (Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:9–17). What makes Ezekiel 15 striking is that the prophet turns this metaphor on its head: Instead of highlighting the fruit of the vine (which would have been positive), he focuses exclusively on the wood, which was known to be weak and useless.

The Wood as Fuel (לָאֵשׁ נִתַּן לְאָכְלָה)

The expression "given to the fire for fuel" (verses 4, 6) draws on a well-known reality in ancient Israel. Grapevines that did not bear fruit were cut down and burned (cf. John 15:6). The wood of the vine was too soft and porous for craftsmanship, too weak even to make a peg (יָתֵד, yated) for hanging tools. Its only use was as fuel. This stands in sharp contrast to oak trees and cedar trees, which were valuable building materials.

Unfaithfulness (מָעֲלוּ מַעַל, ma'alu ma'al)

The Hebrew expression in verse 8 is a legal term describing breach of contract or unfaithfulness. In the context of covenant, it denoted serious treachery against God—often linked to idolatry, which in biblical language was compared to adultery. The term was especially used regarding misuse of holy things or breaking an oath to God (cf. Leviticus 5:15; Joshua 7:1).

People

No known people in this chapter.

Key words6

Winters — A metaphor for the people of Israel, representing their worthlessness and uselessness in their current state.
Fire — A symbol of God's judgment and punishment upon Israel for their sins and disobedience.
Burn — The process by which something is destroyed or consumed by fire, representing God's punishment and cleansing of Israel.
Fruitful — Describes the ability to produce a good harvest or results, here used to show Israel's lack of productivity and value.
The Lord — A title referring to God, the almighty Creator and ruler over the universe and all life.
Judgment — God's righteous evaluation and punishment of people based on their actions and faith.