Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 15:1
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Context — Jerusalem the Useless Vine
Ezekiel 15:1 Summary
[This verse is about God speaking to the prophet Ezekiel, telling him that He has a message to share, similar to what we see in Exodus 20:1 and Isaiah 1:1. God is initiating a conversation with Ezekiel to convey an important point, as He often does in the Bible, such as in Genesis 12:1 and Matthew 3:17. Ezekiel is being called to listen and respond to God's words, and we can learn from his example by being attentive to God's voice in our own lives, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105 and John 10:27. By listening to God's words, we can gain wisdom and guidance, just like Ezekiel did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when the Bible says 'the word of the LORD came to me'?
This phrase indicates that God is speaking directly to the prophet, as seen in Ezekiel 15:1, and it is a common way to describe divine inspiration in the Bible, similar to what is found in Jeremiah 1:4 and Isaiah 38:4.
Why does God often speak to prophets in the Bible?
God speaks to prophets to communicate His will, provide guidance, and convey important messages to His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:18 and Acts 3:22.
What is the significance of Ezekiel being addressed as 'son of man'?
The term 'son of man' is a Hebrew idiom that emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and his role as a representative of humanity before God, similar to how Jesus is referred to as the 'Son of Man' in Matthew 16:13.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse serves as an introduction to the questions that God will ask Ezekiel in Ezekiel 15:2-3, which will help to illustrate the point God wants to make about the vine and its usefulness, highlighting the theme of judgment and the consequences of sin, as seen in Ezekiel 15:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to be spoken to by God, and how can I hear His voice in my life?
- How can I be more attentive to God's words and messages, like Ezekiel was?
- What are some ways that God communicates with me, and how can I be more receptive to His guidance?
- How can I apply the principle of being a representative of humanity before God, like Ezekiel, in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 15:1
And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. The destruction of Jerusalem had been represented under various types and similes before, as of a siege, and a sharp razor; and here of a fruitless and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 15:1
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, This chapter represents, in the way of a brief introduction, what Ezekiel 16:1-63 details minutely.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:1
Ezekiel 15:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ver. 1. And the word of the Lord came unto me.] This shortest chapter is added to all the foregoing as a corollary. It consisteth of a type or simile, and the application thereof. It is God’ s usual way, and should be ours, to teach by similitudes. See Hosea 12:10.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:1
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 15:1
CHAPTER XV The Jewish nation, about to be destroyed by the Chaldeans, compared to a barren vine which is fit for nothing but to be cast into the fire, 1-8. NOTES ON CHAP. XV
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 15:1
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.