Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 15:1–end
The prophet, we may suppose, was thinking what a glorious city Jerusalem was, above any city in the world; it was the crown and joy of the whole earth; and therefore what a pity it was that it should be destroyed; it was a noble structure, the city of God, and the city of Israel's solemnities. But, if these were the thoughts of his heart, God here returns an answer to them by comparing Jerusalem to a vine. 1. It is true, if a vine be fruitful, it is a most valuable tree, none more so; it was one of those that were courted to have dominion over the trees, and the fruit of it is such as cheers God and man (Jdg 9:12, Jdg 9:13); it makes glad the heart, Psa 104:15. So Jerusalem was planted a cho…
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If useless before, much more so when almost wholly burnt.
Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 15:4
The fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned - Judea is like a vine branch thrown into the fire, which seizes on both the ends, and scorches the middle: so both the extremities of the land is wasted; and the middle, Jerusalem, is now threatened with a siege, and by and by will be totally destroyed.
John Gill on Ezekiel 15:5
Behold, when it was whole it was meet for no work,.... Before it was cut into pieces, and east into the fire, it was not fit to make so much as a pin of to hang anything on; so Israel, when all together, before the ten tribes were carried captive, or the Jews before the captivity of Jeconiah, were useless and unfruitful, and to every good work reprobate:
how much less shall it be meet yet for any work when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned? as its wood is good for nothing before it is burned, its ashes are useless after.
John Calvin on Ezekiel 15:1-5
Ezekiel 15:1-5
1. And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
1. Et fuit sermo Iehovae ad me dicendo,
2. Son of man, What is the vine-tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
2. Fili hominis, quid erit [51] lignum vitis prae omni arbore rami [52] quae est inter arbores sylvae?
3. Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
3. An sumetur ex eo [53] lignum ad formandum, ut sit opus, vel an sument, [54] ex eo paxillum, ut suspendatur in eo omne vas? [55]
4. Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any…
