Ezekiel 19:3
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
Original Language Analysis
וַתַּ֛עַל
And she brought up
H5927
וַתַּ֛עַל
And she brought up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 10
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מִגֻּרֶ֖יהָ
of her whelps
H1482
מִגֻּרֶ֖יהָ
of her whelps
Strong's:
H1482
Word #:
3 of 10
a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion
כְּפִ֣יר
it became a young lion
H3715
כְּפִ֣יר
it became a young lion
Strong's:
H3715
Word #:
4 of 10
a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)
הָיָ֑ה
H1961
הָיָ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַיִּלְמַ֥ד
and it learned
H3925
וַיִּלְמַ֥ד
and it learned
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לִטְרָף
to catch
H2963
לִטְרָף
to catch
Strong's:
H2963
Word #:
7 of 10
to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
טֶ֖רֶף
the prey
H2964
טֶ֖רֶף
the prey
Strong's:
H2964
Word #:
8 of 10
something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food
Historical Context
Jehoahaz (also called Shallum) reigned only three months (609 BC) before Pharaoh Necho deposed him and took him to Egypt, where he died (2 Kings 23:31-34, Jeremiah 22:10-12). Though his reign was brief, it was characterized as evil in God's sight (2 Kings 23:32).
Questions for Reflection
- How does power tend to corrupt even those raised with good examples?
- What safeguards protect leaders from becoming oppressors?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.' The first cub, likely Jehoahaz, grew strong but became predatory—'devoured men' suggests oppressive, violent rule. The progression from nursing to devouring shows moral deterioration. What should have been protective leadership became destructive tyranny. This echoes prophetic critiques of royal oppression (Jeremiah 22:13-17).