Ezekiel 19:7

And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.

And he knew {H3045} their desolate palaces {H490}, and he laid waste {H2717} their cities {H5892}; and the land {H776} was desolate {H3456}, and the fulness {H4393} thereof, by the noise {H6963} of his roaring {H7581}.

He raped their widows and destroyed their cities; the land and all in it were appalled at the sound of his roaring.

He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.

And he knew their palaces, and laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, because of the noise of his roaring.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 19 is a lamentation, or dirge, using the metaphor of a lioness raising cubs to describe the kings of Judah. This chapter highlights the tragic fate of these rulers and the nation of Judah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Verse 7 specifically describes the devastating impact of one of these "cubs" (likely a king like Jehoiakim or Jehoiachin, or even depicting Nebuchadnezzar as the destructive force) on the land of Judah. The imagery paints a vivid picture of the widespread destruction and desolation that befell the kingdom as a consequence of its unfaithfulness and the actions of its leadership, aligning with the broader prophetic warnings given by Ezekiel and other prophets concerning God's judgment on Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The verse powerfully illustrates the extent of God's judgment, leading to complete desolation. "Desolate palaces" and "laid waste their cities" signify the comprehensive ruin that came upon Judah, leaving the land barren and empty.
  • Consequences of Unrighteous Leadership: The "lion's roaring" represents the destructive power wielded by unrighteous kings, whose actions directly led to the nation's downfall. It underscores the profound impact of leadership on the welfare of a people.
  • Irreversible Ruin: The phrase "the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, indicating that no aspect of the land or its prosperity was spared. This reflects the severity of God's wrath against sin and rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "roaring" here is sha'ag (שָׁאַג), which vividly describes the deep, terrifying sound made by a lion. In this context, it symbolizes the overwhelming and destructive power of the king, whose actions or decrees brought about the utter ruin of the land. It evokes not just sound, but the terror and devastation that followed. The mention of "desolate palaces" (armonot) highlights that even the strongest, most prominent structures—symbols of royal power and wealth—were not immune to this destruction, signifying the complete collapse of the kingdom's infrastructure and authority.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 19:7 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound consequences of sin, particularly among those in leadership. It teaches us that:

  • Accountability for Leadership: Leaders, whether in nations, communities, or families, bear a heavy responsibility. Their choices can lead to either flourishing or devastating ruin for those under their charge. This verse encourages prayer for and discernment regarding those in authority, as seen in 1 Timothy 2:2.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The desolation described underscores the gravity of collective and individual sin before God. It reminds us that God's justice is real and that persistent rebellion leads to severe consequences.
  • Hope Amidst Ruin: While this verse speaks of judgment, the broader prophetic message of Ezekiel often includes themes of future restoration and renewal (e.g., Ezekiel 36:26). It prompts believers to seek God's mercy and to live righteously, trusting in His ultimate plan for redemption even in desolate times.
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

  • Ezekiel 30:12

    And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken [it].

  • Proverbs 19:12

    ¶ The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

  • Micah 1:2

    Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

  • Amos 6:8

    ¶ The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

  • Ezekiel 22:25

    [There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

  • Proverbs 28:15

    ¶ [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

  • Proverbs 28:16

    ¶ The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
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