Ezekiel 19 6

Ezekiel 19:6 kjv

And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:6 nkjv

He roved among the lions, And became a young lion; He learned to catch prey; He devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:6 niv

He prowled among the lions, for he was now a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.

Ezekiel 19:6 esv

He prowled among the lions; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey; he devoured men,

Ezekiel 19:6 nlt

He prowled among the other lions
and stood out among them in his strength.
He learned to hunt and devour prey,
and he, too, became a man-eater.

Ezekiel 19 6 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Ezekiel 19:6"He went among lions, became a lion among lions, and grew into a lion."Main verse
Gen 49:9"Judah is a lion's cub..."Prophecy about Judah's strength
Num 24:9"He couched, he lay down like a lion and like a lion's cub; who shall rouse him up?"Balaam's prophecy
Prov 28:1"The righteous is bold as a lion."Righteousness and boldness
Prov 30:30"A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn back from any."Power and unyielding nature
Isa 31:4"As a lion, as a young lion, growls over its prey..."God as defender
Jer 4:7"The lion has come up from his thicket..."Babylonian invasion
2 Sam 17:10"...for he is courageous, and his face is like the face of a lion."David's mighty men
Acts 7:56"...I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."Jesus, Son of Man and Lion of Judah
Rev 5:5"Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered..."Jesus as the Lion of Judah
1 Pet 5:8"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."Spiritual warfare
Deut 33:22"And of Dan he said, 'Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping from Bashan.'"Blessing of Dan
2 Tim 4:17"But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed..."God's strengthening
Psalm 22:21"Save me from the mouth of the lion..."Plea for deliverance
Psalm 91:13"You will tread upon the lion and the cobra..."Divine protection
Hosea 11:10"The lions will roar after the LORD..."God's ultimate power
Amos 3:8"The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"God's pronouncement
Micah 5:8"And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest..."Remnant's power
Nahum 2:11-12"Where is the lions' den, the place where the lions lived, the place where they brought their prey...? Where is the lions’ den, where the lioness and her cubs lay...?"Assyrian destruction
Ezek 29:3"Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great beast that lies in the midst of his rivers..."Pharaoh likened to a dragon/beast
Ezek 32:2"Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him, ‘Madden all you beasts of the field; come to devour!"Lament for Pharaoh

Ezekiel 19 verses

Ezekiel 19 6 Meaning

This verse describes a lioness training her cubs to hunt. It highlights a period of royal pride and ferocity, likening the ruler of Judah to a young, powerful lioness who brings up her offspring to be skilled predators.

Ezekiel 19 6 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's lament over the fallen monarchy of Judah. Specifically, chapter 19 uses metaphors of predators—a lioness and her cubs—to describe the royal family's rise and fall. The passage vividly portrays the strength and eventual captivity of Jehoahaz, the king of Judah, who was exiled to Egypt. The lion imagery signifies royal power, aggression, and the lineage of David, but it also forebodes the downfall and vulnerability of the nation.

Ezekiel 19 6 Word Analysis

  • He: Refers to Jehoahaz, the subject of the lament.

  • went among lions: Suggests the king associated himself with powerful entities or exhibited traits similar to lions in his reign. It could imply living amongst the proud or associating with strong, predatory nations.

  • became a lion among lions: Denotes a progression or assimilation into a group of powerful beings, indicating he not only lived among them but adopted their characteristics or was perceived as equal in ferocity or status. This speaks to his ambition or the political realities he faced.

  • grew into a lion: Signifies a maturing into full strength, ferocity, and power, reaching the peak of his regal bearing or prowess. It implies development and a heightened capacity for action, characteristic of a mature lion.

  • He went among lions, became a lion among lions, and grew into a lion: This phrase encapsulates a life trajectory of growing power and influence within a context of intense political competition. It portrays a ruler who rose to prominence, emulated the strong, and ultimately embodied leonine strength and authority before his downfall.

Ezekiel 19 6 Bonus Section

The "lion" motif in the Old Testament is strongly linked to the tribe of Judah and the Davidic dynasty, symbolizing strength, royalty, and protection. The "Lion of the tribe of Judah," prophesied in Genesis 49:9 and echoed in Revelation 5:5, points to Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate conquering kingly power. Ezekiel's use of this imagery here serves not only to describe the fallen king of Judah but also to contrast human, temporary might with divine, eternal authority. The depiction of the lioness nurturing her cubs in the surrounding verses (Ezekiel 19:2-5) further emphasizes the tragic loss of a protective lineage for the nation. The verse implies a struggle for survival and dominance in a hostile political landscape, common to the ancient Near East.

Ezekiel 19 6 Commentary

The prophet Ezekiel uses the powerful metaphor of a lion to illustrate the character and fate of King Jehoahaz. Jehoahaz, described as a "lion" who mingled with and grew among other "lions," initially displayed traits of regal strength and boldness, mirroring the lion's ferocity and predatory prowess. This imagery underscores the royal bloodline of David, often associated with a lion's strength. However, this strength was ultimately insufficient to avert disaster. His brief reign was marked by instability and subjection to foreign powers, culminating in his exile. The verse highlights a cycle of powerful beginnings followed by a stark decline, emphasizing the vulnerability of even the most formidable rulers when faced with divine judgment or superior hostile forces.