Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "in thy blood" is a bit puzzling, but the core idea highlights how incredibly well-supported and naturally flourishing Israel was, like a vine thriving with abundant water, indicating immense potential and vitality. This imagery emphasizes the stark contrast between its past glory and its impending ruin, showing it was once a nation blessed with every advantage.
Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is lamenting the downfall of Israel's royalty, specifically addressing the current king (likely Zedekiah) by using the metaphor of a mother vine. This verse paints a picture of Israel's glorious past as a powerful, fruitful nation planted by abundant "waters," symbolizing prosperity and stability, in stark contrast to its current broken state described in the verses that follow. The imagery highlights the nation's former strength and abundance before its decline and exile.
Imagine a lush vineyard, bursting with life and fruit. That's how God saw His people, Israel, at their best. But what does this imagery tell us about their original state and their potential?
Ezekiel uses the metaphor of a vine to paint a vivid picture of Israel's past glory. This wasn't just any vine; it was planted in a prime location, 'by the waters.' This signifies a place of abundance, prosperity, and rich resources.
Planted for Purpose
The phrase 'in thy blood' connected to the vine is one of the trickiest parts of this verse. What could it mean for a nation to be a vine 'in its blood'?
The phrase 'in thy blood' (or similar variations in ancient manuscripts and translations) is notoriously difficult. While scholars debate its exact meaning, the most consistent interpretations point to the lifeblood and vitality of the nation, particularly its royal lineage.
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Possible Meanings:
Regardless of the precise interpretation, the phrase emphasizes an intimate connection between the vine (Israel) and its life source, whether that's its own people, its royal line, or its very existence sustained by God.
Understand the original words
gephen · Hebrew Noun
A plant prized for its fruit, particularly grapes; frequently used as a metaphor for the people of Israel as God's chosen, cultivated community, meant to be fruitful and reflective of His blessing.
kerem · Hebrew Noun
A place where grapevines are grown; in scripture, it symbolizes the sphere of God's covenant care, discipline, and expectation of spiritual fruitfulness from His people.
Ezekiel's powerful imagery of a vine, once strong and fruitful, speaks to Judah's past glory and present devastation. The verse highlights the fertility and abundance Israel once enjoyed, a stark contrast to the exile and destruction they faced.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its people. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins his campaigns against Judah, deporting some of the royal family and skilled citizens, including the prophet Daniel.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation and Jehoiachin's Exile
Babylon captures Jerusalem, deports King Jehoiachin and many more people, and installs Zedekiah as a puppet king. This event directly impacts the royal line Ezekiel is addressing.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's final siege results in the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, followed by a third, larger deportation.
c. 571 BC
Ezekiel's Visions Conclude
The book of Ezekiel finishes with visions of the restored Temple, offering hope after the devastation.
This passage also uses the metaphor of a vine, but this time it's Israel as a whole that God transplanted, highlighting the care and fertile ground provided for its growth. It echoes Ezekiel's description of a well-established and fruitful vine.
Jeremiah 2:21Jeremiah also speaks of Israel as a noble vine, contrasting its noble origin and potential with its current straying and unfruitfulness due to spiritual unfaithfulness. This emphasizes the tragic loss of potential described in Ezekiel's lament.
John 15:1Jesus uses the vine imagery in a profound way, identifying Himself as the true vine and believers as branches, stressing the vital connection needed for fruitfulness. This shifts the focus from national identity to spiritual identity, offering a new understanding of what it means to be 'fruitful'.
Isaiah 5:1-7This prophecy describes God planting a vineyard with great care, only for it to produce wild grapes. It serves as a powerful parallel to Ezekiel's imagery, illustrating how a well-provided-for entity can become corrupt and ultimately face judgment.
ellicottEzekiel 19:10: "Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters."
(10) A vine in thy blood. —The figure here changes to the more common one of a vine, yet by no means the “vine of low stature” of Ezekiel 17:6 ; it is rather a strong and goodly vine. The phrase “in thy blood” is obscure, and has occasioned much perplexity to the commentators. Some of the ancient versions and some manuscripts have modified the text; but…
cambridgeEzekiel 19:10: "Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters."
10 . is like a vine ] was like, in contrast to “but now she is planted in the wilderness” ( Ezekiel 19:13 ). The “prince” of Israel is addressed, not any individual prince, but the kingship or royalty by whomsoever represented. The mother, as before, is the people or nationality of Israel. in thy blood ] R.V. marg. refers to ch. Ezekiel 16:6 , not wisel…
The phrase "in thy blood" is a bit puzzling, but the core idea highlights how incredibly well-supported and naturally flourishing Israel was, like a vine thriving with abundant water, indicating immense potential and vitality. This imagery emphasizes the stark contrast between its past glory and its impending ruin, showing it was once a nation blessed with every advantage.
Ezekiel is lamenting the downfall of Israel's royalty, specifically addressing the current king (likely Zedekiah) by using the metaphor of a mother vine. This verse paints a picture of Israel's glorious past as a powerful, fruitful nation planted by abundant "waters," symbolizing prosperity and stability, in stark contrast to its current broken state described in the verses that follow. The imagery highlights the nation's former strength and abundance before its decline and exile.
Ezekiel is lamenting the downfall of Israel's royalty, specifically addressing the current king (likely Zedekiah) by using the metaphor of a mother vine. This verse paints a picture of Israel's glorious past as a powerful, fruitful nation planted by abundant "waters," symbolizing prosperity and stability, in stark contrast to its current broken state described in the verses that follow. The imagery highlights the nation's former strength and abundance before its decline and exile.
"Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard planted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water." — The phrase "in thy blood" is a bit puzzling, but the core idea highlights how incredibly well-supported and naturally flourishing Israel was, like a vine thriving with abundant water, indicating imme…
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Last reviewed October 2026