Ezekiel 19:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:1-9

The downfall of the princes. For the interpretation of this figurative and poetical portion of Ezekiel's prophecies, reference must be made to the close of the Second Books of Kings and of Chronicles, where the obscure and humiliating history of the last days of the monarchy of Judah is briefly recorded. Ezekiel's dirge concerns partly what had already taken place, and partly what was immediately about to happen. The lessons to be learnt from the history and the lamentation are of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:1-9

Kingly power abused. Without doubt, the main cause of Israel's fall was the waywardness and vice of her kings. With few exceptions, they gave themselves up to evil ways. Corruption at the fountainhead became corruption in all the streams of national and domestic life. Idolatry was the root; and tyranny, anarchy, violence, and cruelly were the branches. This soon became intolerable to the surrounding nations. I. KINGLY POWER WAS INTENDED AS A BENEFIT . What the shepherd is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:1-9

A lamentation for fallen princes. "Moreover, take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, and say, What was thy mother?" etc. Here are three preliminary inquiries. 1 . Who is addressed by the prophet? Or, whom are we to understand by the pronoun "thy"? "What was thy mother?" "Jehoiachin is addressed," says the 'Speaker's Commentary.' Hengstenberg says, "The address is to the man Judah, the people of the present." And Schroder, "The address is directed to the people." But,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:2

What is thy mother? etc.; better, with the Vulgate, LXX ; and Keil, Why did thy mother, a lioness, lie down among lionesses? The image may have been suggested by Genesis 49:9 and Numbers 23:24 , or perhaps also by Nahum 2:11 , Nahum 2:12 . The lioness is Israel, the kingdom idealized and personified. The lionesses among whom she had lain down are the heathen kingdoms. The question asks why she had become as one of them and adopted their cruelty and ferocity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:3

The whelp, as Ezekiel 19:4 shows, is Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum ( Jeremiah 22:11 ), who "did evil" in the sight of the Lord ( 2 Kings 23:32 ), the words that follow pointing to cruelty and oppression like that of Zedekiah. The passage finds a somewhat striking parallel in AE schylus, 'Agam.,' 695-715. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 19:4

The nations also heard of him, etc. The fact that lies under the parable is that Egypt and its allies began to be alarmed as they watched the aggressive policy of Jehoahaz, as men are alarmed when they hear that a young lion is in the neighbourhood, and proceed to lay snares for him. In chains, etc.; literally, nose rings, such as were put into the nostrils of brutes or men ( Ezekiel 38:4 ; 2 Kings 19:28 ; Isaiah 37:29 ). The mention of Egypt points to the deportation of Jehoahaz... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 19:2

Thy mother - The people represented by Judah. Compare Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 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. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 19:4-9

Chains - See the marginal rendering to Ezekiel 19:9 and Isaiah 27:9, note.Ezekiel 19:5Another - Jehoiachin who soon showed himself no less unworthy than Jehoahaz. The “waiting” of the people was during the absence of their rightful lord Jehoahaz, a captive in Egypt while Jehoiakim, whom they deemed an usurper, was on the throne. It was not until Jehoiachin succeeded, that they seemed to themselves to have a monarch of their own 2 Kings 24:6.Ezekiel 19:7Their desolate palaces - Rather, his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 19:1-2

Ezekiel 19:1-2. Take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel The expression alludes to the mournful songs sung at funerals. Such a lamentation the prophet is directed to apply to the mournful condition of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. And say, What is thy mother? What resemblance shall I use to express the nature, deportment, and state of the mother of these princes, namely, Judea, or the Jewish nation? The prophet proposes a question that may be applied to each prince... read more

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