Ezekiel 15:5
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?
Original Language Analysis
בִּֽהְיוֹת֣וֹ
H1961
בִּֽהְיוֹת֣וֹ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תָמִ֔ים
Behold when it was whole
H8549
תָמִ֔ים
Behold when it was whole
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
3 of 14
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה
how much less shall it be meet
H6213
וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה
how much less shall it be meet
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לִמְלָאכָֽה׃
for no work
H4399
לִמְלָאכָֽה׃
for no work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
אַ֣ף
H637
אַ֣ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
7 of 14
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וַיֵּחָ֔ר
it and it is burned
H2787
וַיֵּחָ֔ר
it and it is burned
Strong's:
H2787
Word #:
11 of 14
to glow, i.e., literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion)
וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה
how much less shall it be meet
H6213
וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה
how much less shall it be meet
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
After 597 BC, Jerusalem's population, economy, and military were significantly weakened. Yet King Zedekiah foolishly rebelled against Babylon, bringing final devastation in 586 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you learn from God's discipline rather than hardening your heart through partial judgments?
- What does genuine repentance look like in response to God's corrective measures in your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The logical progression is devastating: if vine wood was worthless when whole, partial destruction makes it completely useless. This refutes any hope that Jerusalem's partial judgment would leave her viable. The argument moves from less to greater, a common prophetic technique (qal wahomer in Hebrew logic).