Ezekiel 19:3
Ezekiel 19:3 in Multiple Translations
She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
And she brought up one of her whelps: he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.
And one of her little ones came to growth under her care, and became a young lion, learning to go after beasts for his food; and he took men for his meat.
She raised one of her cubs, and he grew up to be a young lion. Once he had learned how to tear up his prey, he started eating people.
And she brought vp one of her whelps, and it became a lyon, and it learned to catch the praye, and it deuoured men.
And she bringeth up one of her whelps, A young lion it hath been, And it learneth to tear prey, man it hath devoured.
She brought up one of her cubs. He became a young lion. He learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
And she brought out one of her whelps, and he became a lion: and he learned to catch the prey, and to devour men.
She taught one of them to huntfor other animals to kill, and he even learned tokill and eat people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 19:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 19:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תַּ֛עַל
אֶחָ֥ד
מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ
כְּפִ֣יר
הָיָ֑ה
וַ/יִּלְמַ֥ד
לִ/טְרָף
טֶ֖רֶף
אָדָ֥ם
אָכָֽל
וַ/תַּ֛עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ
gûwr
H1482
whelp
Prep | N-mp | Suff
כְּפִ֣יר
kᵉphîyr
H3715
lion
N-ms
הָיָ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וַ/יִּלְמַ֥ד
lâmad
H3925
to learn
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לִ/טְרָף
ṭâraph
H2963
to tear
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
טֶ֖רֶף
ṭereph
H2964
prey
N-ms
אָדָ֥ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
אָכָֽל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 19:3
וַ/תַּ֛עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
אֶחָ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מִ/גֻּרֶ֖י/הָ
gûwr
H1482
"whelp"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a young lion still in its den. It appears in descriptions of wild animals, like lion cubs. This word is used to convey the idea of something still in its early stages.
Definition: cub, whelp, young
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: whelp, young one. See also: Genesis 49:9; Ezekiel 19:2; Nahum 2:12.
כְּפִ֣יר
kᵉphîyr
H3715
"lion"
N-ms
This word can mean either a village or a young lion. It is used in the Bible to describe a place or an animal, like a lion with a mane. The KJV translates it as lion or village.
Definition: young lion
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, village. Compare H3723 (כָּפָר). See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 2:15; Psalms 17:12.
הָיָ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וַ/יִּלְמַ֥ד
lâmad
H3925
"to learn"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To learn or teach in the Bible means to guide someone, like using a rod to direct an animal. It is about instructing or training someone, as seen in Proverbs and Psalms. Teaching is an important theme in the Bible.
Definition: : teach 1) to learn. teach, exercise in 1a) (Qal) to learn 1b) (Piel) to teach 1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: (un-) accustomed, [idiom] diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -ing). See also: Deuteronomy 4:1; Psalms 119:66; Psalms 18:35.
לִ/טְרָף
ṭâraph
H2963
"to tear"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to tear or pull something apart, and it can also mean to provide food. In the Bible, it appears in Exodus 22:13 and Proverbs 30:14. It describes an act of violence or providing for someone.
Definition: 1) to tear, rend, pluck 1a) (Qal) to tear, rend 1b) (Niphal) to be torn in pieces 1c) (Poal) to be torn in pieces 1d) (Hiphil) to provide food
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces). See also: Genesis 37:33; Proverbs 30:8; Psalms 7:3.
טֶ֖רֶף
ṭereph
H2964
"prey"
N-ms
This word refers to something that has been torn apart, like prey or food. In Genesis 49:27 and Isaiah 18:6, it describes the spoils of war or the leftovers of a predator's meal.
Definition: 1) prey, food, leaf 1a) prey 1b) food 1c) leaf
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: leaf, meat, prey, spoil. See also: Genesis 49:9; Isaiah 5:29; Psalms 76:5.
אָדָ֥ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
אָכָֽל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 19:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 19:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 19:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 19:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 19:3
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 19:3
- Sermons on Ezekiel 19:3
Context — A Lament for the Princes of Israel
1“As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel
2and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
3She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
4When the nations heard of him, he was trapped in their pit. With hooks they led him away to the land of Egypt. 5When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 22:25 | The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 23:31–32 | Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 36:1–2 | Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father. Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 19:6 | He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. |
Ezekiel 19:3 Summary
This verse, Ezekiel 19:3, talks about a lioness who raises one of her cubs to become a strong young lion. However, instead of using his strength for good, the lion starts attacking people, which shows how power can be misused. This story can teach us about the importance of using the gifts and abilities God gives us in a way that honors Him and helps others, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. It also reminds us that our actions have consequences, just like the lion's actions led to him being trapped and taken away, similar to the consequences seen in Galatians 6:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the lioness represent in Ezekiel 19:3?
The lioness in Ezekiel 19:3 symbolizes the nation of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 19:2, and the cubs represent the rulers or princes of Israel, much like the way Jesus describes the church as a mother in Galatians 4:26 and Isaiah 66:10-13.
Why did the young lion start devouring men?
The young lion's actions of devouring men in Ezekiel 19:3 signify the cruel and violent behavior of some of Israel's rulers, which is also seen in other parts of the Bible, such as 1 Samuel 8:18 and Proverbs 28:15-16, where oppression and violence are condemned by God.
What is the significance of the lion learning to tear its prey?
The lion learning to tear its prey in Ezekiel 19:3 indicates the development of power and strength, similar to how David developed his skills as a warrior, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:34-36, before becoming a leader in Israel.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Ezekiel 19:3 is part of a lament for the princes of Israel, as stated in Ezekiel 19:1, and it specifically highlights the destructive nature of one of these rulers, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter, which further explains the consequences of their actions, as seen in Ezekiel 19:8-9, and the hope for restoration, similar to the promises in Isaiah 11:1-5.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of the lioness and her cubs evoke in my heart, and how does it relate to my understanding of God's care for His people?
- In what ways can I, like the lion, be tempted to misuse the strength and power God has given me, and how can I avoid such temptations, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and Proverbs 16:18?
- How does the young lion's transition from tearing prey to devouring men serve as a warning to me about the dangers of unchecked ambition or the abuse of power, as seen in the examples of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:1-23 and King David in 2 Samuel 11:1-27?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of responsible leadership and the consequences of failing to lead with justice and compassion, as emphasized in Proverbs 29:2 and Jeremiah 23:1-4?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 19:3
And she brought up one of her whelps,.... Or sons, as the Targum: or, "made him to ascend" (t), as the word signifies; to mount the throne; this was Jehoahaz, whom the people of the land took and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
See . Brought up; not as a nurse, the word is of other import, but advanced, promoted, or caused him to take the throne after the slaughter of Josiah. One of her whelps; this was Jehoahaz, the second son of Josiah, of whom it is said, , the people made him king; for God had not made him so by primogeniture, and right of succession. They looked upon him as a warlike prince, fitter for sustaining the troubles of those martial times than his eldest. brother, and therefore strain a point of law and right. It became a young lion; soon showed his fierce, haughty, cruel, and bloody disposition, as appears , though he continued but three months, and some odd days, wherein to play his pranks. Learned; had tutors and counsellors that showed him the method; and he, an apt scholar in an evil school, learnt apace. To catch the prey; to seize first, and then to tear the prey, by frauds and violence to hunt, take, and devour that he took, as lions use. Devoured; eat up, as the word notes, lived upon. Men; man, Adam, the weaker sort; or it may be in those divided times Adam may imply such as were crushed because they were not of the tyrannizing faction: at that time Pharaoh had some that inclined to him, and perhaps these were used hardly by Jehoahaz.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
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.Ver. 3. And she brought up one of her whelps.] This was Jehoahaz. It became a young llon.] Cunning and cruel, and having never a good property, though the son of good Josiah; who might better have said than that pope did of his wicked son, Caesar Borgia, Haec vitia me non commonstratore dedicit, He never learned it of his father. It devoured men.] He was a very cannibal to his subjects, and made no more conscience to undo a poor man, to seek and suck his blood, than to eat a meal’ s meat when hungry.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
(3) It became a young lion.—There can be no doubt (see Ezekiel 19:4) of the reference of this to Jehoahaz. After the death of Josiah, “the people of the land took Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah . . . and made him king” (2 Kings 23:30). In Ezekiel 19:6 Jehoiachin is also spoken of particularly. These two are mentioned as examples of all the other kings after Josiah. Jehoiakim and Zedekiah are simply passed over, although it may be that the prophet looked upon them as creatures of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar rather than as legitimate kings of Israel. Jehoiakim, moreover, died in Jerusalem, and Zedekiah was at this moment still upon the throne. It devoured men.—This at once keeps up the figure, and has also its special justification in the evil courses of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:32). He is represented as growing up and being like the heathen kings around. See also, in Ezekiel 19:2, Israel as a whole is represented as going aside from her high calling as a theocracy, and making herself “like the nations round about.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 19:3
Verse 3. She brought up one of her whelps] Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, whose father was conquered and slain by Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt. It learned to catch the prey] His reign was a reign of oppression and cruelty. He made his subjects his prey, and devoured their substance.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 19:3
1–4. Captivity of Jehoahaz in Egypt 2. How was thy mother a lioness!—among the lions; In the midst of young lions she couched—she reared her whelps. 3. And she brought up one of her whelps—he grew a young lion; And he learned to catch the prey—he devoured men. 4. And the nations heard regarding him—he was taken in their pit; And they brought him with hooks—unto the land of Egypt. 1. princes of Israel] Probably with LXX. prince, as required by the pron. thy mother (Ezekiel 19:2). The “prince” is a general term for the king, applicable to one king after another. The lamentation is for the “king” of Judah, represented by one person after another. On “lament” cf. Jeremiah 7:29. 2. What is thy mother?] Rather to be taken as an exclamation, as rendered above.
The mother is the people Israel, a lioness among other lions—kings or states with royalty. 3. The first young lion is Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, carried to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho after the defeat of his father at Megiddo, 2 Kings 23:31-35. Cf. the touching reference to him Jeremiah 22:10-12. He also bore the name of Shallum. Coming to the throne at the age of 23 he reigned only 3 months, and died in Egypt. Cf. Jeremiah 5:26. 4. heard of him] This might better be read: raised a cry against him, in the sense of Isa 31:4; Jeremiah 50:29. with chains] hooks (or, rings) as ch. Ezekiel 29:4, Ezekiel 38:4; cf. 2 Kings 19:28.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 19:3
Compare the marginal reference. The short reign of Jehoahaz was marked by violence and idolatry, and was closed by Pharaoh-Necho’s carrying him captive into Egypt.
Sermons on Ezekiel 19:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Intercession - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the abundance of spiritual light available to the current generation through various media such as television, radio, tapes, and books. He wa |
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The Secret of Holiness by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding just one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth in order to bring salvation and forgiveness to a city. The s |