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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתֵּצֵ֨א
is gone out
H3318
וַתֵּצֵ֨א
is gone out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מַטֵּה
of a rod
H4294
מַטֵּה
of a rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
3 of 17
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
בַדֶּ֙יהָ֙
of her branches
H905
בַדֶּ֙יהָ֙
of her branches
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָ֥יָה
H1961
הָ֥יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מַטֵּה
of a rod
H4294
מַטֵּה
of a rod
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
10 of 17
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
עֹ֖ז
so that she hath no strong
H5797
עֹ֖ז
so that she hath no strong
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
11 of 17
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
שֵׁ֣בֶט
to be a sceptre
H7626
שֵׁ֣בֶט
to be a sceptre
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
12 of 17
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
לְקִינָֽה׃
This is a lamentation
H7015
לְקִינָֽה׃
This is a lamentation
Strong's:
H7015
Word #:
14 of 17
a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Ezekiel 19:1Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,Ezekiel 19:11And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.2 Kings 24:20For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Historical Context
Zedekiah's rebellion (the 'rod' producing fire) led to Jerusalem's final destruction and the end of Davidic political rule. The dynasty's sins brought its own judgment. For centuries, no Davidic king ruled until Jesus Christ, the ultimate Davidic King, came. This lament prepares for the hope of restoration in later chapters.
Questions for Reflection
- How does human rebellion contribute to our own suffering?
- What hope does Christ as the true Davidic King offer to this lament?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'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.' The vine's own branches produce fire that consumes it—internal destruction. 'No strong rod to be a sceptre to rule' means no legitimate king. The final line affirms this as qinah (lamentation) for a dynasty that destroyed itself through rebellion. The tragedy: self-inflicted, preventable, complete.