Ezekiel 19 3

Ezekiel 19:3 kjv

And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:3 nkjv

She brought up one of her cubs, And he became a young lion; He learned to catch prey, And he devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:3 niv

She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.

Ezekiel 19:3 esv

And she brought up one of her cubs; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey; he devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:3 nlt

She raised one of her cubs
to become a strong young lion.
He learned to hunt and devour prey,
and he became a man-eater.

Ezekiel 19 verses

Ezekiel 19 3 Meaning

This verse initiates a lament concerning the royal lineage of Judah, symbolized by a majestic lioness (the kingdom or queen mother). It depicts one of her "cubs"—a prince or young king—who quickly matured from an immature offspring into a formidable, predatory "young lion." This royal figure actively "learned to catch the prey," developing skills for exploitation and oppression. The phrase "he devoured men" powerfully signifies that this ruler used his authority not to protect but to exploit, consume, and bring harm upon his own people, highlighting a tyrannical and destructive reign.

Ezekiel 19 3 Context

Ezekiel 19 is a lamentation, a dirge, over the princes of Israel, using the allegory of a lioness and her cubs. This "funeral song" prophesies the fall and captivity of the last kings of Judah. The "mother" is typically understood as the kingdom of Judah itself, or specifically Queen Hamutal (mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah), symbolizing the dynasty that brought forth these rulers. Verse 3 introduces the first "cub," widely believed to represent Jehoahaz (also called Shallum, 2 Kings 23:30-34), who was installed as king after Josiah's death. Though he reigned for only three months in Jerusalem (609 BC), he was quickly captured and exiled to Egypt by Pharaoh Neco. The passage laments not only his tragic end but more so the nature of his rule, or perhaps the general trajectory of Judah's last kings. It is also possible, given the fluidity of prophetic allegory, that the "first cub" represents Jehoiakim, who reigned longer (609-598 BC) and was notoriously wicked and oppressive (Jeremiah 22:13-17), ultimately dying ignominiously or being carried off by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:6-7). This lament speaks to the failure of Judah's kings to govern justly, their predatory behavior toward their own people, and God's subsequent judgment upon them, leading to their swift removal from power by foreign empires.

Ezekiel 19 3 Word analysis

• And she brought up (וַתַּעַל, vaṭ·ta·ʿal):

  • Word: A form of the verb alah (עלה), meaning "to go up," "bring up," or "raise."
  • Analysis: Implies the mother (the kingdom/dynasty) nurtured and elevated this cub to power. It highlights the direct responsibility of the "she-lion" in the cub's development and rise. The imagery suggests natural growth within a specific environment—a predatory environment for a lioness.

• one of her cubs (אֶחָד מִגּוּרֶיהָ, ʾe·ḥāḏ mig·gū·re·hā):

  • Word: ʾeḥāḏ (one), gūr (cub, young lion), hâ (her). Gūr denotes an offspring, particularly of a carnivorous animal like a lion, with the potential for fierce development.
  • Analysis: This designates a specific, prominent offspring, not just any cub. The term "cub" implies a relatively young, still developing creature, but already showing the characteristics of its kind. In the context of the lament, it signifies a prince or king ascending the throne, inheriting the nature of his "royal house."

• and he became a young lion (וַיְהִי כְּפִיר, way·hî kə·p̄îr):

  • Word: way·hî (and he became/was), kəp̄îr (young lion, lion cub that is no longer small, but full-grown, strong, and fierce).
  • Analysis: The transformation from "cub" (gūr) to "young lion" (kəp̄îr) is significant. Kəp̄îr denotes a lion that has come into its full strength and capability for hunting. It indicates rapid maturation into a potent and dangerous force, highlighting how quickly this ruler assumed his oppressive tendencies or tyrannical power. The "became" implies development and adoption of character.

• and he learned to catch the prey (וַיִּלְמַד לִטְרָף־טֶרֶף, way·yil·maḏ liṭ·rōp̄-ṭe·rep̄):

  • Word: way·yil·maḏ (and he learned), ṭārāf (to tear, to capture, to devour prey), ṭerep̄ (prey, spoils).
  • Analysis: The phrase "learned to catch" (yilmad liṭrōp̄) implies a deliberate acquisition and mastery of skills. It's not accidental predation but a conscious cultivation of methods to gain resources or exercise power through oppressive means. The repeated root emphasizes the act of preying. The "prey" is metaphorical for the resources, wealth, or people of the nation, or for power itself, indicating the ruler's exploitation.

• he devoured men (אָכַל אָדָם, ʾā·ḵal ʾā·ḏām):

  • Word: ʾā·ḵal (to eat, to consume, to devour), ʾā·ḏām (man, humanity, people).
  • Analysis: This is the culmination of the preceding actions. "Devoured" is a strong metaphor for exploitation, oppression, and destruction. It goes beyond merely "catching prey" to outright consuming and destroying the lives and livelihoods of the people (אָדָם). This reveals the horrific nature of the king's rule—he turned on his own subjects, those he was meant to protect and serve, treating them as mere sustenance for his own power and gain, rather than shepherding them. It implies violence, injustice, and greed leading to the ruin of the nation's human resource.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And she brought up one of her cubs": This phrase establishes the source and origin of the problem: the "mother" kingdom produced this specific, destined ruler. It suggests a cycle, where the system itself contributes to the development of such destructive leadership.
  • "and he became a young lion: and he learned to catch the prey;": This forms a sequence of development and acquisition of skill. From birth/origin ("cub") to maturity ("young lion"), then to purposeful destructive action ("learned to catch the prey"). It illustrates a rapid progression into predatory capability and a deliberate practice of harmful governance.
  • "he devoured men": This serves as the stark, damning conclusion to the cub's development. It vividly portrays the full extent of the ruler's tyranny and his devastating impact on the human population, leaving no doubt as to the tragic nature of his reign and the justification for God's judgment.

Ezekiel 19 3 Bonus section

• The Reversal of Roles: Kings were intended to be "shepherds" of their people (Ezekiel 34). Here, the metaphor flips completely; the king becomes a predator, reversing the expected role of a ruler who protects his flock. This inversion underscores the depth of their failure and the severity of their sin against both God and man.
• The Inevitable End: The dirge context of Ezekiel 19 (a funeral lament) indicates that the "learning" and "devouring" are not sustainable. While the lion initially triumphs in its predation, it is ultimately caught by foreign powers, emphasizing that unrighteous power is ultimately fleeting and subject to God's judgment.
• Historical Echoes: This prophetic critique of leadership resonates across history. It serves as a timeless warning against any leader, whether political or spiritual, who preys upon those entrusted to their care for personal gain, rather than serving with integrity and justice.

Ezekiel 19 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 19:3, as part of a dirge for the princes of Israel, uses vivid zoological allegory to critique the destructive leadership that brought Judah to ruin. The "she-lion" symbolizes the royal dynasty of Judah, responsible for raising its successors. The "cub" specifically points to one particular king (likely Jehoahaz or Jehoiakim). The progression from "cub" to "young lion" speaks to the swiftness with which this monarch rose to power and manifested his innate predatory nature. Unlike a good shepherd, who protects the flock, this "lion" was "learned to catch the prey," indicating a deliberate and perfected skill in exploitation and oppressive rule. The ultimate horror is that "he devoured men," transforming his own subjects into his sustenance. This is a powerful indictment of kings who prioritize self-interest, wealth, and power above the welfare of their people, acting as ravenous beasts rather than benevolent leaders. Such conduct was a gross violation of God's covenant with Israel and the king's sacred duty to rule justly, leading inevitably to divine judgment and their downfall at the hands of foreign empires.