Ezekiel 19:6

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

And he went up and down {H1980} among {H8432} the lions {H738}, he became a young lion {H3715}, and learned {H3925} to catch {H2963} the prey {H2964}, and devoured {H398} men {H120}.

He prowled among the lions, grew to be a young lion, learned to seize his prey and became a man-eater.

He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.

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

Commentary

Ezekiel 19:6 is part of a powerful lamentation, or dirge, that the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to utter concerning the princes of Israel. This specific verse continues the vivid metaphor of a lioness raising her cubs, depicting one of these young lions – likely representing a king of Judah – as growing into a predatory ruler.

Historical and Cultural Context

This chapter, known as "A Lamentation for the Princes of Israel," uses the imagery of a lioness and her whelps to symbolize the royal line of Judah. The "he" in verse 6 most commonly refers to either Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum), who reigned for only three months before being taken captive to Egypt, or Jehoiachin, who reigned for a short period before being exiled to Babylon. Both kings quickly rose to power in a tumultuous era leading up to the Babylonian exile, inheriting a kingdom steeped in sin and facing imminent divine judgment.

The "lions" among whom he went up and down could represent the powerful nations surrounding Judah (like Egypt or Babylon) or the corrupt elite within Judah itself. The metaphor highlights the dangerous environment and the adopted predatory nature of the king.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Corrupt Leadership: The primary theme is the failure and corruption of Judah's kings. Instead of being shepherds protecting their flock, they became predators preying on their own people. The phrase "devoured men" is a stark image of their oppressive and violent rule, marked by injustice and exploitation.
  • Progression of Sin: The verse shows a progression: from being "among the lions" (implying learning from the environment), to "became a young lion," and then "learned to catch the prey, and devoured men." This illustrates how unrighteous leaders can quickly adopt and perpetuate destructive patterns of behavior.
  • Divine Judgment: This lament is a prophetic announcement of God's judgment upon the kings of Judah for their wickedness. Their predatory actions directly led to their downfall and the suffering of their people, aligning with warnings found throughout the prophetic books concerning unrighteous rule (e.g., Jeremiah 22:13-17).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "young lion" (kephir) often denotes a lion that is strong, fierce, and capable of hunting, emphasizing its predatory nature. The verb "devoured" ('akal) is strong, often used literally for eating, but here metaphorically for consuming, oppressing, or destroying people. It paints a picture of merciless exploitation rather than just governing.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 19:6 serves as a timeless warning about the nature of corrupt power and leadership. It reminds us that true leadership, especially in a spiritual sense, should be characterized by service, protection, and justice, not by exploitation or self-enrichment. It prompts reflection on:

  • Accountability of Leaders: Leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, are held to a high standard and will be judged for how they exercise their authority.
  • Impact of Environment: The verse suggests that an individual can be shaped by their environment ("went up and down among the lions"). It underscores the importance of choosing our influences wisely and resisting the temptation to conform to corrupt practices.
  • The Dangers of Oppression: God clearly condemns those who use their position to oppress the vulnerable. This principle is foundational to biblical justice and is echoed in passages like Micah 6:8, which calls for doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 24:1

    ¶ In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

  • 2 Kings 24:7

    And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 26:1

    ¶ In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,

  • Jeremiah 26:24

    Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:5

    Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

  • Jeremiah 22:13

    Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

  • Jeremiah 22:17

    But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it].
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