Ezekiel 19:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Fire spreads from the vine's own branches, consuming all her fruit and leaders—a final lament closes the vision.
The Context of Ezekiel 19:14
The vine's destruction is complete; internal fire consumes what remains. The lament is concluded.
What Does Ezekiel 19:14 Mean?
The vine's destruction is now complete and internecine: fire goes out from her own branches, devouring her fruit. She no longer has strong rods to become scepters for rule—no leaders, no sovereigns, no continuity of authority. The self-consuming nature of the fire, originating from her own branches, suggests that Judah's judgment arose partly from the corruption and unfaithfulness of her own leaders and people. Destruction came both from external enemies and from internal decay.
The chapter ends by explicitly naming itself: 'This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.' The prophet identifies his work as a formal dirge, to be sung and remembered as a mournful lament. The dual metaphors of lioness and vine frame Israel's downfall completely—both military power (the roaring lion) and prosperity (the fruitful vine) are lost. What remains is only grief and the ashes of a once-great nation.
Ezekiel 19:14 in the Original Language
שַׁלְהֶבֶת (shalhebet), 'fire' — here suggesting consuming, destructive flame, possibly including the idea of a destructive authority or rebellion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 19:14
What does Ezekiel 19:14 mean?
Fire spreads from the vine's own branches, consuming all her fruit and leaders—a final lament closes the vision.
What is the context of Ezekiel 19:14?
The vine's destruction is complete; internal fire consumes what remains. The lament is concluded.