Lexical Summary qasas: To cut off, to cut down, to cut asunder Original Word: קָסַס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cut off A primitive root; to lop off -- cut off. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to strip off NASB Translation cut off (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [קָסַס] verb Po`el. strip off (so context requires; verb otherwise unknown); — Imperfect3masculine singular וְאֶתמִּֿרְיָהּ יְקוֺסֵס Ezekiel 17:9 and its fruit shall he not strip off? קֶ֫סֶת see קשׂה Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage In its lone occurrence, קָסַס (Strong’s 7082) appears in Ezekiel 17:9 within the parable of the two eagles and the vine. The Berean Standard Bible renders it “strip its fruit,” expressing decisive, even violent, removal. The verb highlights an action of severing that halts further growth and prosperity. Historical Context Ezekiel relays the parable during Judah’s final years before Jerusalem’s fall. The first eagle (Babylon) had already deported King Jehoiachin and the elite (Ezekiel 17:3-6). Zedekiah, symbolized by the transplanted vine, later sought help from the second eagle (Egypt), violating his oath to Babylon and, more importantly, covenant fidelity to the Lord (Ezekiel 17:15-19). In verse 9 God forewarns that the vine’s unfaithfulness will trigger divine judgment: the Babylonian king will “root it up and strip its fruit so that it withers.” קָסַס therefore forms part of an oracle explaining why Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 B.C. was both inevitable and righteous. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty in Judgment קָסַס underscores that God Himself orchestrates the pruning. Political powers serve as instruments in His hand (Isaiah 10:5-7). Judah’s covenant breach leads to the removal of what appeared vigorous. The action of “stripping” vividly communicates that unfaithfulness forfeits blessing (Deuteronomy 28:15-24). By cutting away corrupt fruit, God preserves the integrity of His redemptive plan, keeping the Davidic promise alive through a purified remnant (Ezekiel 17:22-24). Typology and Prophetic Implications Ezekiel 17 closes with God planting a tender shoot that becomes a noble cedar under which every kind of bird will dwell (Ezekiel 17:22-24). The earlier קָסַס sets up this contrast: only after unfruitful branches are removed can the messianic tree flourish. The later image anticipates the kingdom of the Messiah (compare Matthew 13:31-32), in which nations find shelter. Connections to New Testament Imagery Jesus’ teaching, “Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He cuts off… and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes” (John 15:2), echoes the pruning language first illustrated in Ezekiel. While John employs a different Greek verb, the thematic continuity remains: unfruitful covenant members are severed; fruitful ones are trimmed for greater yield. Paul applies the same principle corporately to Israel and Gentiles in Romans 11:17-24. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Call to Faithfulness Like Zedekiah, believers may outwardly belong yet secretly rely on worldly alliances. Ezekiel’s usage of קָסַס warns that God will remove hollow profession and self-reliance. Ministry evaluation should prioritize genuine fruit—character, obedience, witness—lest ministries be “stripped” despite visible success (Revelation 2:5). Faithful believers facing loss can remember that pruning precedes greater fruitfulness. The Lord’s cutting is neither arbitrary nor destructive but ultimately restorative (Hebrews 12:10-11). Conclusion Though קָסַס occurs only once, its placement within Ezekiel’s prophetic narrative furnishes a rich picture of God’s just but purposeful pruning. The verb captures both the severity of judgment against covenant infidelity and the mercy that prepares the way for new growth under the righteous Branch. Forms and Transliterations יְקוֹסֵ֣ס יקוסס yə·qō·w·sês yekoSes yəqōwsêsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 17:9 HEB: וְאֶת־ פִּרְיָ֣הּ ׀ יְקוֹסֵ֣ס וְיָבֵ֗שׁ כָּל־ NAS: up its roots and cut off its fruit, KJV: the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit INT: up fruit and cut withers all manner 1 Occurrence |
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