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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 15:5 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!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/15-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/26_Ezk_15_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 15:5 - Jerusalem the Useless Vine" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/15-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/15-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm" title="Ezekiel 15:4">◄</a> Ezekiel 15:5 <a href="/ezekiel/15-6.htm" title="Ezekiel 15:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Vines are useless both before and after being put into the fire!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was used for nothing. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it ever be used for anything!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for <i>any</i> work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Indeed, when it was whole, no object could be made from it. How much less will it be useful for <i>any</i> work when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, while it is intact, it is not made into anything. How much less, when the fire has consumed it and it is charred, can it still be made into anything!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Notice this, even when it was complete, it was not useful <i>and</i> was not made into anything. How much less, after the fire has burned [part of] it and [the remainder of] it is charred, can it still be made into anything?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even when it was whole it could not be made into a useful object. How much less can it ever be made into anything useful when the fire has devoured it and it is charred! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even when it was whole it could not be made into a useful object. How much less can it ever be made into anything useful when the fire has devoured it and it is charred!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The wood is useless before it is burned, and afterwards, it is completely worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the vine was in perfect condition, it couldn't be made into anything. How can it be used to make anything after the fire has burned and charred it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It was useless even before it was burned. Now that the fire has burned it and charred it, it is even more useless." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If it was useless before it was burned, now that it's been burned and charred through, it's even more useless!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Indeed! If it was not made into anything useful when it was whole, how much less can it be made into anything when the fire has burned it up and it is charred? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned, shall it yet be meet for any work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was fit for no work: how much less then shall it be fit for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was suitable for no work. How much less, when the fire has devoured it, and it has been burned, will it yet be suitable for any work?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, in its being perfect it is not used for work, "" How much less when fire has eaten of it, "" And it is scorched, "" Has it been used yet for work?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, in its being perfect it is not used for work, How much less, when fire hath eaten of it, And it is scorched, Hath it been used yet for work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, in its being whole, it will not do for work: but if the fire consumed it, and it was burnt, did it yet do for work?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Even when it was whole it was not fit for work: how much less, when the fire hath devoured and consumed it, shall any work be made of it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Even when it was whole, it was unsuitable for a work. How much more so, when fire has devoured it and burned it up, will nothing of it be useful?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Even when it is whole it cannot be used for anything; So when fire has devoured and charred it, how useful can it be? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When it was whole it was used for nothing; how much less—when the fire has consumed it, and it is charred— can it ever be used for anything!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was not useful for implements; how much less shall it be useful when the fire has devoured it and it is destroyed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when it was without defect, it was not going to serve, now that the fire has consumed it and laid it waste, what use is it going to serve?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work; how much less, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is singed, shall it yet be meet for any work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Not even while it is yet whole will it be <i>useful</i> for <i>any</i> work: if the fire shall have utterly consumed it, will it still be <i>fit</i> for work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=3425" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/15.htm">Jerusalem the Useless Vine</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>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? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Even</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: bih·yō·w·ṯōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">when it was</a> <a href="/hebrew/8549.htm" title="8549: ṯā·mîm (Adj-ms) -- Complete, sound. From tamam; entire; also integrity, truth.">whole,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">it could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: yê·‘ā·śeh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">be made</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: lim·lā·ḵāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">useful.</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">How much less</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">can it ever</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·na·‘ă·śāh (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">be</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: lim·lā·ḵāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property.">useful</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">the fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ă·ḵā·laṯ·hū (V-Qal-Perf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">has consumed it</a> <a href="/hebrew/2787.htm" title="2787: way·yê·ḥār (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be hot or scorched, to burn. A primitive root; to glow, i.e. Literally or figuratively">and charred it!</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-6.htm">John 15:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-19.htm">Matthew 7:19</a></span><br />Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Luke 13:6-9</a></span><br />Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ / ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a></span><br />Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-21.htm">Jeremiah 2:21</a></span><br />I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a></span><br />You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Hosea 10:1</a></span><br />Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Matthew 3:10</a></span><br />The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-2.htm">John 15:2</a></span><br />He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-7.htm">Hebrews 6:7-8</a></span><br />For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Isaiah 44:14-15</a></span><br />He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-16.htm">Jeremiah 11:16-17</a></span><br />The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed. / The LORD of Hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you on account of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have brought upon themselves, provoking Me to anger by burning incense to Baal.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-24.htm">2 Kings 19:24</a></span><br />I have dug wells and drunk foreign waters. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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 has devoured it, and it is burned?</p><p class="hdg">meet [heb] made fit </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Charred</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-21.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-25.htm">Intact</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-6.htm">Less</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Singed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-1.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-3.htm">Used</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Useful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-10.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/15-7.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Charred</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-12.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-6.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-11.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-25.htm">Intact</a> <a href="/mark/4-31.htm">Less</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-13.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-14.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/matthew/13-6.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/daniel/3-27.htm">Singed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/41-21.htm">Something</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Used</a> <a href="/acts/13-36.htm">Useful</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-2.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-10.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/15-1.htm">By the unfitness of the vine branch for any work</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/15-6.htm">is shown the rejection of Jerusalem</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Even when it was whole, it could not be made useful.</b><br>This phrase refers to the wood of the vine, which is a metaphor for the people of Jerusalem. In ancient Israel, the vine was a common symbol for the nation (<a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a>). Unlike other trees, the wood of a vine is not suitable for construction or crafting; its primary purpose is to bear fruit. This imagery highlights the spiritual barrenness of Israel, as they failed to fulfill their covenantal role to be a light to the nations (<a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Isaiah 42:6</a>). The vine's inability to be useful when whole underscores the idea that Israel, even at its best, was not fulfilling its intended purpose.<p><b>How much less can it ever be useful when the fire has consumed it and charred it!</b><br>The fire represents God's judgment, which had already begun to fall upon Jerusalem due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience (<a href="/ezekiel/14-12.htm">Ezekiel 14:12-23</a>). The charring of the vine signifies the destruction and devastation that comes as a result of this judgment. In the context of Ezekiel's prophecies, this serves as a warning of the impending Babylonian exile. The rhetorical question emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation; if the vine was useless before, it is even more so after being burned. This can be seen as a call to repentance, urging the people to recognize their spiritual state and turn back to God. The imagery also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and purification that will come through Christ, who is the true vine (<a href="/john/15.htm">John 15:1-5</a>), offering redemption and restoration to those who abide in Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>Represented metaphorically as a vine in this passage, Israel is being judged for its unfaithfulness and lack of fruitfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites were taken captive due to their disobedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_fruitfulness.htm">The Importance of Fruitfulness</a></b><br>Just as a vine is expected to produce fruit, believers are called to bear spiritual fruit. Without fruit, our faith is ineffective and subject to judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_unfaithfulness.htm">The Consequences of Unfaithfulness</a></b><br>Israel's failure to live up to its calling resulted in severe consequences. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_trials.htm">The Role of Trials</a></b><br>The imagery of fire consuming the vine can be seen as a metaphor for trials and judgment. These experiences can refine and purify, but they also reveal the true nature of our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Just as a vine cannot thrive without proper care, believers must remain connected to God through prayer, scripture, and community to grow and bear fruit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_hope.htm">Restoration and Hope</a></b><br>Despite judgment, God offers hope and restoration. Believers can find encouragement in God's promises of renewal and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_ezekiel_15_edited_or_added_later.htm">Is there any evidence that Ezekiel 15 was edited or added later, indicating multiple sources or authors?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_satan's_identity.htm">What is Satan's identity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_revelation_8_trumpets_inconsistent.htm">Why aren't these dramatic trumpet judgments in Revelation 8 mentioned or paralleled in other parts of the Bible, and could this be an internal inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_create_satan_if_he'd_rebel.htm">Why did God create Satan knowing he would rebel and lead humans astray?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Even</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when it was</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּֽהְיוֹת֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bih·yō·w·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whole,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8549.htm">Strong's 8549: </a> </span><span class="str2">Entire, integrity, truth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it could not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be made</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(yê·‘ā·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">useful.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְלָאכָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lim·lā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How much less</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can it ever</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֖וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·na·‘ă·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">useful</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְלָאכָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(lim·lā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4399.htm">Strong's 4399: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fire</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֤שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has consumed</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲכָלַ֙תְהוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḵā·laṯ·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and charred it!</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּחָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ḥār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2787.htm">Strong's 2787: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hot or scorched, to burn</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/15-5.htm">Ezekiel 15:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/15-5.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 15:5 Behold when it was whole it was (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 15:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 15:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/15-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 15:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 15:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>