Read Ezekiel 15 through 17 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph divisions:
Eze 15:1-5 {s} The allegory of the useless wood of the vine, which is only good to be burned in the fire
Eze 15:6-8 {p} So Jerusalem will be given up to be burned, because they have persisted in unfaithfulness
Eze 16:1-35 {p} YHVH entered into a marriage covenant with Jerusalem, but she was an adulterous wife
Eze 16:36-50 {s} YHVH will recompense Jerusalem according to her deeds, so that she will not act the harlot
Eze 16:51-58 {s} Jerusalem committed more abominations than her sisters Samaria or Sodom
Eze 16:59-63 {p} Nevertheless YHVH shall remember His covenant/ Jerusalem shall be ashamed of her sins
Eze 17:1-10 {p} The parable of the withered vine
Eze 17:11-18 {s} The meaning of the parable: Jehoiachin’s (the king’s offspring) covenant with Babylon
Eze 17:19-21 {p} Jehoiachin will be taken captive to Babylon because of the covenant which he broke
Eze 17:22-24 {p} The prophecy of the tender cedar twig established on the mountains of Israel
Eze 17 chiastic structure:
1a) Eze 17:1-10 {p} The parable of the tender cedar twig which became a withered vine;
1a) Eze 17:1-6a, The parable of the tender cedar twig/ planted, grew as a spreading vine of low stature;
1b) Eze 17:6b, So it became a vine, brought forth branches, and put forth shoots;
central axis) Eze 17:7, “But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers; and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him, and stretched its branches toward him, from the garden terrace where it had been planted, that he might water it;”
2b) Eze 17:8, It was planted in good soil to bring forth branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine;
2a) Eze 17:9-10 {p} It will wither in the terrace where it grew, for he will pull up its roots;
1b) Eze 17:11, Moreover the word of YHVH came to me, saying;
1c) Eze 17:12-14, The king of Babylon made a covenant with Jehoiachin, that the kingdom might stand by covenant;
1d.1) Eze 17:15a, But he rebelled by sending ambassadors to Egypt, for troops;
2d.2) Eze 17:15b, Will he prosper + escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?
central axis) Eze 17:16, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke—with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die;’”
2d.1) Eze 17:17, Nor will Pharaoh with his mighty army do anything to help when Jerusalem is besieged;
2d.2) Eze 17:18 {s} Since he despised the oath + broke the covenant, he shall not escape;
2c) Eze 17:19-21a, Thus says YHVH: Because he despised My covenant he will be tried in Babylon for treason;
2b) Eze 17:21b {p} And you shall know that I, YHVH, have spoken;
2a) Eze 17:22-24 {p} The prophecy of the tender cedar twig which will be established + fruitful in Israel.
The chiastic structure of Eze 15-17:
1a) Eze 15:1-8 {s+p} The allegory of the useless wood of the vine/ Jerusalem persisted in unfaithfulness;
1b) Eze 16:1-35 {p} YHVH’s marriage covenant with Jerusalem, but she was an adulterous wife;
1c.1) Eze 16:36-41a, YHVH will recompense Jerusalem according to her deeds;
1c.2) Eze 16:41b, And I will make you cease playing the harlot, and you shall no longer hire lovers;
central axis) Eze 16:42, I will lay to rest My fury + My jealousy toward you/ I will be quiet, and be angry no more;
2c.1) Eze 16:43, Because you did not remember Me but provoked Me I will recompense you your deeds;
2c.2) Eze 16:43c, You shall not commit lewdness in addition to all your abominations;
2b) Eze 16:44-63 {s+s+p} Jerusalem’s abominations/ But YHVH shall remember His covenant/ Jerusalem ashamed;
2a) Eze 17:1-24 {p+s+p+p} Parable of the withered vine/ king of Judah unfaithful/ prophecy of magnificent cedar.
Israel’s story does not end with her unfaithfulness, but with God’s faithfulness toward His covenant; and Jerusalem’s story does not end with the record of her unfaithful kings, but with the prophecy of her Faithful King who is to come. ♥
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