Ezekiel 15:4 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 15:4 mean?

Ezekiel 15:4 says that a piece of wood, once thrown into the fire and burned at both ends with the middle charred, is no longer useful for making anything. The verse uses this image to question whether anything worthwhile can be made from wood that has already been burned and ruined.

In this part of the book, God is speaking to Ezekiel, a prophet in exile, to deliver a message to the people of Jerusalem. The verse is part of a larger comparison where Jerusalem is likened to a useless vine branch—once destroyed by fire, it cannot serve any practical purpose. This sets up a warning about the consequences of turning away from God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 15:4

• "fire" (אֵשׁ, 'esh): This word is used twice in the verse and refers to literal fire, which here symbolizes destruction or judgment. The repetition stresses how completely the wood is consumed.
• "devoureth" (אָכַל, 'akal): This word means "to eat" or "consume." The idea is that the fire doesn't just touch the wood—it completely eats it up, leaving nothing usable behind.
• "meet" (הִצְלִיחַ, hitsliach): This word is often understood as "fit" or "suitable." The verse asks if the burned wood is suitable for any work, highlighting its total uselessness after being burned.

Why Ezekiel 15:4 matters

• The verse clears up any idea that Jerusalem’s people could remain valuable or protected after persistent unfaithfulness; the image is meant to show complete loss of purpose.
• Ezekiel 15:4 emphasizes the seriousness of God’s warning, showing that judgment leaves nothing behind that can be used or restored in the same way.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the main point: just as a burned vine branch is useless, so are the people of Jerusalem if they reject their calling and protection from God.