Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, [or than] a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
Ver. 2. What is the vine tree more than any tree?] The Jews took upon them, because a "vine brought out of Egypt," and such as God's own right hand had planted. But insomuch as they were now become fruitless and also useless "trees twice dead, plucked up by the roots," Jdg 1:12 what had they to glory in above other nations? Surely they were therefore worse than others, because they ought to have been better. True it is that a vine in itself, considered with the fruit it beareth, is no contemptible tree. But if it be withered or pulled out of the earth, it is no way comparable to other trees or shrubs, which, when felled, are put to sundry good uses that the vine - lignum tenus, gibbosum et tortuosum - a crooked, low, writhen thing - will never serve to; as to make spears, doors, tables, ships, houses, &c.