translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: EZK

label: NET translator note

text: Most modern translations take the statement as a comparison (“how is vine wood better than any forest wood?”) based on the preposition מִן ( min ). But a comparison should have a word as an adjective or stative verb designating a quality, i.e., a word for “good/better” is lacking. The preposition is translated above in its partitive sense. sn Comparing Israel to the wood of the vine may focus on Israel’s inferiority to the other nations. For the vine imagery in relation to Israel and the people of God, see Ps 80:8-13 ; John 15:1-7 ; Rom 11:17-22 .


text: The word הִנֵּה ( hinneh , traditionally “behold”) draws one’s attention to something. Sometimes it may be translated as a verb of perception; here it is treated as a particle that fits the context (so also in v. 5 , but with a different English word).


text: For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


text: The words “as fuel” are not in the Hebrew text, but are implied.


text: The word translated “set” is the same Hebrew word translated as “provide” in the previous verse.


text: The word translated “make” is the same Hebrew word translated as “provide” in v. 6 .