And she brought up one of her cubs; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey; he devoured men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a chilling progression: the lioness's cub doesn't just grow strong, it actively learns to hunt and kill, moving from "catching prey" to specifically "devouring men." This isn't a passive decline, but an intentional embrace of predatory behavior that corrupts its very nature.
And she brought up one of her cubs; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey; he devoured men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter begins a lament, comparing Judah to a lioness whose cubs are taken away, symbolizing the downfall of its kings. The prophet describes one of these "cubs," Jehoahaz, who quickly grew into a fierce and predatory young lion, ruling cruelly and devouring his own people. This contrasts sharply with the righteous reign of his father Josiah, marking a rapid descent into oppression and ultimately leading to his capture and exile by the Egyptian Pharaoh.
Why does Ezekiel compare a king to a lion cub that grows into a fearsome predator? This wasn't just a random image, but a powerful statement about his reign.
The prophet Ezekiel uses vivid imagery to depict King Jehoahaz, comparing him to a lion's whelp that matures into a 'young lion.' This isn't just about outward strength, but about character and behavior.
A Fierce Predator
The text says he 'learned to catch prey; he devoured men.' This speaks to a reign characterized by:
The imagery of a destructive king isn't just about him; it points to a deeper sickness within the nation itself. How does this verse reveal that?
Ezekiel's lament isn't solely focused on the king's personal failings, but also on the broader spiritual and moral state of Judah. The lion metaphor reveals how the nation, personified as the lioness, produced such a destructive offspring.
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Like the Surrounding Nations
This king's behavior mirrors the very nations God's people were warned against imitating. When a leader acts like a wild beast, it signifies that the nation has strayed from its divine calling.
The lament for Judah's kings in Ezekiel 19 is set against the backdrop of Judah's rapid decline and fall. The short, violent reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin serve as stark examples of the corruption and predatory behavior that marked the end of the Davidic dynasty, leading to exile.
609 BC
Josiah's Death in Battle
King Josiah, a righteous ruler, is killed by Pharaoh-necho of Egypt at the Battle of Megiddo, a devastating loss for Judah.
609 BC— this verse
Jehoahaz Made King
After Josiah's death, the people of Judah enthrone his son Jehoahaz, despite him not being the rightful heir, hoping for a strong leader in troubled times.
609 BC
Jehoahaz Deposed and Exiled
Pharaoh-necho deposes the young king Jehoahaz after only three months, chains him, and takes him captive to Egypt, installing his brother Eliakim (Jehoiakim) as king.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah, beginning the series of deportations by taking noble youth, including Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many more prominent citizens to Babylon, a further blow to Judah's sovereignty.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the kingdom of Judah.
This passage directly condemns Jehoiakim, the brother of Jehoahaz, for his oppressive and unjust rule, paralleling the 'devouring men' imagery of Ezekiel 19:3 with his exploitation of the people.
2 Kings 23:31-34This historical account describes Jehoahaz's wicked reign and his subsequent capture and exile by Pharaoh Necho, providing the specific context for Ezekiel's metaphor of the young lion learning to prey.
Psalm 58:1-5This psalm laments the injustice and cruelty of rulers, describing them as 'serpents' and 'deaf adders' who 'devour' the people, echoing the theme of predatory leadership in Ezekiel 19.
Proverbs 28:15-16This proverb contrasts wicked rulers who oppress the poor with righteous leaders, highlighting how greed and injustice ('devouring') lead to instability and ruin, a theme reflected in the fate of Jehoahaz.
barnesEzekiel 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."
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.
ellicottEzekiel 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."
(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” ( 2Kings 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. Je…
This verse highlights a chilling progression: the lioness's cub doesn't just grow strong, it actively learns to hunt and kill, moving from "catching prey" to specifically "devouring men." This isn't a passive decline, but an intentional embrace of predatory behavior that corrupts its very nature.
This chapter begins a lament, comparing Judah to a lioness whose cubs are taken away, symbolizing the downfall of its kings. The prophet describes one of these "cubs," Jehoahaz, who quickly grew into a fierce and predatory young lion, ruling cruelly and devouring his own people. This contrasts sharply with the righteous reign of his father Josiah, marking a rapid descent into oppression and ultimately leading to his capture and exile by the Egyptian Pharaoh.
This chapter begins a lament, comparing Judah to a lioness whose cubs are taken away, symbolizing the downfall of its kings. The prophet describes one of these "cubs," Jehoahaz, who quickly grew into a fierce and predatory young lion, ruling cruelly and devouring his own people. This contrasts sharply with the righteous reign of his father Josiah, marking a rapid descent into oppression and ultimately leading to his capture and exile by the Egyptian Pharaoh.
"And she brought up one of her cubs; he became a young lion, and he learned to catch prey; he devoured men." — This verse highlights a chilling progression: the lioness's cub doesn't just grow strong, it actively learns to hunt and kill, moving from "catching prey" to specifically "devouring men." This isn'…
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Last reviewed October 2026