Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 15יחזקאל 15

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Ezekiel 15 (8 verses in the MT) opens: And the word of YHWH came to me, saying, The middle of the chapter continues: Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned? It closes: And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says YHWH YHWH.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Ezekiel 15 comprises 8 verses in MT order. Movement I (vv. 1-4) — And the word of YHWH came to me, saying. And the word of YHWH came to me, saying, Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, a branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? 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. Movement II (vv. 5-8) — Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall. Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned? Therefore thus says YHWH YHWH; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will set my face against them; they shall. Where English printed Bibles divide verses differently, this annotation follows MT versification throughout.

1

וַיְהִ֥י דְבַר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר

And the word of YHWH came to me, saying,

Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential actionwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Narrative wayyiqtol — foregrounded sequential action. Wayyehî scene-setting or temporal hinge. Opens the chapter. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְהִ֥יand it happenedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'and it happened'.
דְבַרthe matter ofN c · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain (genitival)דָּבָר (H1697) 'the matter of'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
אֵלַ֥יto meprep + sfx 1cs · אֶל (H413)Particle or relational elementאֶל (H413) 'to me'.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementאָמַר (H559) 'saying'.
2

בֶּן אָדָ֕ם מַה יִּֽהְיֶ֥ה עֵץ הַגֶּ֖פֶן מִכָּל עֵ֑ץ הַזְּמוֹרָ֕ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָיָ֖ה בַּעֲצֵ֥י הַיָּֽעַר

Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, a branch which is among the trees of the forest?

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'shall be'.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
בֶּןson ofN c · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son of'.
אָדָ֕םmanN c · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'man'.
מַהwhatinterrog. · מָה (H4100)Particle or relational elementמָה (H4100) 'what'.
יִּֽהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalהָיָה (H1961) 'shall be'.
עֵץwoodN c · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'wood'.
הַגֶּ֖פֶןfrom the vine ofart + N com c sg abs · גֶּפֶן (H1612)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גֶּפֶן (H1612) 'from the vine of'.
מִכָּלfrom allprep + N com m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'from all'.
עֵ֑ץwoodN c · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'wood'.
הַזְּמוֹרָ֕הa branchart + N com f sg abs · זְמוֹרָה (H2156)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)זְמוֹרָה (H2156) 'a branch'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
הָיָ֖הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actהָיָה (H1961) 'was'.
בַּעֲצֵ֥יwood ofprep + N com m pl constr · עֵץ (H6086)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֵץ (H6086) 'wood of'.
הַיָּֽעַרinto the forestart + N com m sg abs · יַעַר (H3293)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יַעַר (H3293) 'into the forest'.
3

הֲיֻקַּ֤ח מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ עֵ֔ץ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת לִמְלָאכָ֑ה אִם יִקְח֤וּ מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ יָתֵ֔ד לִתְל֥וֹת עָלָ֖יו כָּל כֶּֽלִי

Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-orientedwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Yiqtol — imperfective, modal, or future-oriented. Lead predicate is 'and he took'.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
הֲיֻקַּ֤חand he tookinterrog. + Qal passive impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalלָקַח (H3947) 'and he took'.
מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙from itprep + sfx 1cp · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from it'.
עֵ֔ץwoodN c · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'wood'.
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹתto doprep + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'.
לִמְלָאכָ֑הfor the workprep + N com f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'for the work'.
אִםifconj וְ · אִם (H518)Particle or relational elementאִם (H518) 'if'.
יִקְח֤וּthey shall take (marry)Qal impf 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalלָקַח (H3947) 'they shall take (marry)'.
מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙from itprep + sfx 1cp · מִן (H4480)Particle or relational elementמִן (H4480) 'from it'.
יָתֵ֔דthe peg ofN c · יָתֵד (H3489)Construct chain (genitival)יָתֵד (H3489) 'the peg of'.
לִתְל֥וֹתhe hangedprep + Qal inf constr · תָּלָה (H8518)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementתָּלָה (H8518) 'he hanged'.
עָלָ֖יוon itprep + sfx 3ms · עַל (H5921)Particle or relational elementעַל (H5921) 'on it'.
כָּלallN c · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'.
כֶּֽלִיarticle ofN c · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct chain (genitival)כְּלִי (H3627) 'article of'.
4

הִנֵּ֥ה לָאֵ֖שׁ נִתַּ֣ן לְאָכְלָ֑ה אֵת֩ שְׁנֵ֨י קְצוֹתָ֜יו אָכְלָ֤ה הָאֵשׁ֙ וְתוֹכ֣וֹ נָחָ֔ר הֲיִצְלַ֖ח לִמְלָאכָֽה

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 work?

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationhinneh
Presentative hinneh, putting a new scene or surprise on stage. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'consuming'.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
לָאֵ֖שׁwith fireprep + art + N com c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵשׁ (H784) 'with fire'.
נִתַּ֣ןis givingN · נָתַן (H5414)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)נָתַן (H5414) 'is giving'.
לְאָכְלָ֑הfor foodprep + N com f sg abs · אָכְלָה (H402)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָכְלָה (H402) 'for food'.
אֵת֩(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
שְׁנֵ֨יtwo ofAdj · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two of'.
קְצוֹתָ֜יוits endsN c · קָצֶה (H7098)Construct chain (genitival)קָצֶה (H7098) 'its ends'.
אָכְלָ֤הconsumingQal perf 3fs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָכַל (H398) 'consuming'.
הָאֵשׁ֙the fireart + N com c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵשׁ (H784) 'the fire'.
וְתוֹכ֣וֹin the midst ofconj וְ + N com m sg constr + sfx 3ms · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'in the midst of'.
נָחָ֔רbe angryN · חָרַר (H2787)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)חָרַר (H2787) 'be angry'.
הֲיִצְלַ֖חmakes prosperinterrog. + Qal impf 3ms · צָלַח (H6743)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalצָלַח (H6743) 'makes prosper'.
לִמְלָאכָֽהfor the workprep + N com f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'for the work'.
5

הִנֵּה֙ בִּֽהְיוֹת֣וֹ תָמִ֔ים לֹ֥א יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה לִמְלָאכָ֑ה אַ֣ף כִּי אֵ֤שׁ אֲכָלַ֨תְהוּ֙ וַיֵּחָ֔ר וְנַעֲשָׂ֥ה ע֖וֹד לִמְלָאכָֽה

Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for work, when the fire has devoured it, and it is burned?

Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complementhinneh
Presentative hinneh, putting a new scene or surprise on stage. Infinitive construct — purpose, result, or complement. Wayyehî scene-setting or temporal hinge.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הִנֵּה֙beholdadv. · הִנֵּה (H2009)Particle or relational elementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'.
בִּֽהְיוֹת֣וֹand it happenedprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementהָיָה (H1961) 'and it happened'.
תָמִ֔יםwithout blemishAdj · תָּמִים (H8549)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)תָּמִים (H8549) 'without blemish'.
לֹ֥אnotneg. · לֹא (H3808)Particle or relational elementלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖הhe shall doN · עָשָׂה (H6213)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'he shall do'.
לִמְלָאכָ֑הfor the workprep + N com f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'for the work'.
אַ֣ףalsoparticle · אַף (H637)Particle or relational elementאַף (H637) 'also'.
כִּיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אֵ֤שׁfireN c · אֵשׁ (H784)Construct chain (genitival)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
אֲכָלַ֨תְהוּ֙devoured himQal perf 3fs + sfx 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָכַל (H398) 'devoured him'.
וַיֵּחָ֔רbe angryconj וְ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרַר (H2787)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָרַר (H2787) 'be angry'.
וְנַעֲשָׂ֥הand let us makeconj וְ + Niphal q 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Particle or relational elementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'and let us make'.
ע֖וֹדagainart · עוֹד (H5750)Particle or relational elementעוֹד (H5750) 'again'.
לִמְלָאכָֽהfor the workprep + N com f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'for the work'.
6

לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עֵץ הַגֶּ֨פֶן֙ בְּעֵ֣ץ הַיַּ֔עַר אֲשֶׁר נְתַתִּ֥יו לָאֵ֖שׁ לְאָכְלָ֑ה כֵּ֣ן נָתַ֔תִּי אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֖י יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם

Therefore thus says YHWH YHWH; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationasyndeton
Asyndeton: no clause-level wə. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'he said'. Speech formula or quoted address.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
לָכֵ֗ןthereforeprep + art · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'therefore'.
כֹּ֤הthusart · כֹּה (H3541)Particle or relational elementכֹּה (H3541) 'thus'.
אָמַר֙he saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actאָמַר (H559) 'he said'.
אֲדֹנָ֣יmy LordN c · אֲדֹנָי (H136)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדֹנָי (H136) 'my Lord'.
יְהוִ֔הYHWHN · יְהוִה (H3069)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוִה (H3069) 'YHWH'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤רjust asprep + rel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'.
עֵץwoodN c · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'wood'.
הַגֶּ֨פֶן֙from the vine ofart + N com c sg abs · גֶּפֶן (H1612)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)גֶּפֶן (H1612) 'from the vine of'.
בְּעֵ֣ץon the treeprep + N com m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)עֵץ (H6086) 'on the tree'.
הַיַּ֔עַרinto the forestart + N com m sg abs · יַעַר (H3293)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יַעַר (H3293) 'into the forest'.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel. שֶׁ · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Particle or relational elementאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that'.
נְתַתִּ֥יוI have given itQal perf 1cs + sfx 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actנָתַן (H5414) 'I have given it'.
לָאֵ֖שׁwith fireprep + art + N com c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵשׁ (H784) 'with fire'.
לְאָכְלָ֑הfor foodprep + N com f sg abs · אָכְלָה (H402)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אָכְלָה (H402) 'for food'.
כֵּ֣ןsoadv. · כֵּן (H3651)Particle or relational elementכֵּן (H3651) 'so'.
נָתַ֔תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actנָתַן (H5414) 'I have given'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
יֹשְׁבֵ֖יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Participle→ Participle: attendant circumstance or substantival actorיָשַׁב (H3427) 'the inhabitants of'.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽםJerusalemN · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389) 'Jerusalem'.
7

וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת פָּנַי֙ בָּהֶ֔ם מֵהָאֵ֣שׁ יָצָ֔אוּ וְהָאֵ֖שׁ תֹּֽאכְלֵ֑ם וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙ כִּֽי אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֔ה בְּשׂוּמִ֥י אֶת פָּנַ֖י בָּהֶֽם

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from fire, and fire shall devour them; and you shall know that I YHWH, when I set my face against them.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'went out'.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will giveconj וְ + Qal q 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Particle or relational elementנָתַן (H5414) 'and I will give'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
פָּנַי֙the face ofN c · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'the face of'.
בָּהֶ֔םin themprep + sfx 3mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'in them'.
מֵהָאֵ֣שׁwith fireprep + art + N com c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵשׁ (H784) 'with fire'.
יָצָ֔אוּwent outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actיָצָא (H3318) 'went out'.
וְהָאֵ֖שׁand the fireconj וְ + art + N com c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֵשׁ (H784) 'and the fire'.
תֹּֽאכְלֵ֑םshe will eat themQal impf 3fs + sfx 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective or modalאָכַל (H398) 'she will eat them'.
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙and you shall knowconj וְ + Qal q 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Particle or relational elementיָדַע (H3045) 'and you shall know'.
כִּֽיforconj וְ · כִּי (H3588)Particle or relational elementכִּי (H3588) 'for'.
אֲנִ֣יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN · יְהוָה (H3068)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוָה (H3068) 'YHWH'.
בְּשׂוּמִ֥יand he setprep + Qal inf constr + sfx 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose, result, or complementשִׂים (H7760) 'and he set'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
פָּנַ֖יthe face ofN c · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'the face of'.
בָּהֶֽםin themprep + sfx 3mpParticle or relational elementFunction word: 'in them'.
8

וְנָתַתִּ֥י אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ שְׁמָמָ֑ה יַ֚עַן מָ֣עֲלוּ מַ֔עַל נְאֻ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִֽה

And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, says YHWH YHWH.

Qatal — perfective or stative predicationwə
wə-chaining from the preceding clause. Qatal — perfective or stative predication. Lead predicate is 'they committed treachery'. Closes the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְנָתַתִּ֥יand I will giveconj וְ + Qal q 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Particle or relational elementנָתַן (H5414) 'and I will give'.
אֶת(obj)obj marker · אֵת (H853)Particle or relational elementאֵת (H853) '(obj)'.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N com c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'.
שְׁמָמָ֑הa desolationN c · שְׁמָמָה (H8077)Construct chain (genitival)שְׁמָמָה (H8077) 'a desolation'.
יַ֚עַןbecauseconj וְ · יַעַן (H3282)Particle or relational elementיַעַן (H3282) 'because'.
מָ֣עֲלוּthey committed treacheryQal perf 3cp · מָעַל (H4603)Predicate verb (qatal)→ Perfective: a completed actמָעַל (H4603) 'they committed treachery'.
מַ֔עַלa breach of faithN c · מַעַל (H4604)Construct chain (genitival)מַעַל (H4604) 'a breach of faith'.
נְאֻ֖םutterance ofN c · נְאֻם (H5002)Construct chain (genitival)נְאֻם (H5002) 'utterance of'.
אֲדֹנָ֥יmy LordN c · אֲדֹנָי (H136)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדֹנָי (H136) 'my Lord'.
יְהוִֽהYHWHN · יְהוִה (H3069)Nominal (subject, object, or apposition)יְהוִה (H3069) 'YHWH'.