Ezekiel 19:2
New International Version
and say: “’What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among them and reared her cubs.

New Living Translation
“What is your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among the young lions and reared her cubs.

English Standard Version
and say: What was your mother? A lioness! Among lions she crouched; in the midst of young lions she reared her cubs.

Berean Standard Bible
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.

King James Bible
And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

New King James Version
and say: ‘What is your mother? A lioness: She lay down among the lions; Among the young lions she nourished her cubs.

New American Standard Bible
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among young lions, She raised her cubs.

NASB 1995
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among young lions, She reared her cubs.

NASB 1977
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among young lions, She reared her cubs.

Legacy Standard Bible
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness among lions! She lay down among young lions; She reared her cubs.

Amplified Bible
and say, ‘What was your mother [Jerusalem and Judah]? A lioness among lions! She lay down among young lions, She reared her cubs.

Christian Standard Bible
and say: What was your mother? A lioness! She lay down among the lions; she reared her cubs among the young lions.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and say: What was your mother? A lioness! She lay down among the lions; she reared her cubs among the young lions.

American Standard Version
and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.

Contemporary English Version
Your mother was a brave lioness who raised her cubs among lions.

English Revised Version
and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say: Your mother was like a lioness. She lay down among the lions. She fed many cubs.

Good News Translation
What a lioness your mother was! She raised her cubs among the fierce male lions.

International Standard Version
Tell them: 'What a lioness your mother was among lions! She reared her cubs in the midst of fierce young males.

Majority Standard Bible
and say: ?What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.

NET Bible
and say: "'What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay among young lions; she reared her cubs.

New Heart English Bible
and say, 'What was your mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her cubs.

Webster's Bible Translation
And say, What is thy mother: A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

World English Bible
and say, ‘What was your mother? A lioness. She couched among lions, in the middle of the young lions she nourished her cubs.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have said: What [is] your mother? A lioness, "" She has crouched down among lions, "" She has multiplied her whelps in the midst of young lions.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast said: What is thy mother? -- a lioness, Among lions she hath crouched down, In the midst of young lions she hath multiplied her whelps.

Smith's Literal Translation
And say, What thy mother? a lioness: between lions she lay down, in the midst of young lions she brought up her whelps.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say: Why did thy mother the lioness lie down among the lions, and bring up her whelps in the midst of young lions?

Catholic Public Domain Version
and you shall say: Why did your mother, the lioness, recline among the male lions, and raise her little ones in the midst of young lions?

New American Bible
and say: What a lioness was your mother, a lion among lions! She made her lair among young lions, to raise her cubs;

New Revised Standard Version
and say: What a lioness was your mother among lions! She lay down among young lions, rearing her cubs.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And say, What is your mother? O whelp of lions! she crouched among lions, she reared her whelps among young lions.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say, “What is your mother, lion’s whelp? For she crouched among the lionesses, and she raised her cubs among the lionesses
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and say: How was thy mother a lioness; Among lions she couched, In the midst of the young lions She reared her whelps!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and say, Why is thy mother become a whelp in the midst of lions? in the midst of lions she has multiplied her whelps.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:9
Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

Hosea 5:14
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Isaiah 5:29
Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away, and no one can rescue it.

Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

Amos 3:4
Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den if he has caught nothing?

Nahum 2:11-12
Where is the lions’ lair or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled with their cubs, with nothing to frighten them away? / The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey.

Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Lamentations 3:10
He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.

Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

Daniel 7:4
The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man.

Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.

Job 10:16
Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.


Treasury of Scripture

And say, What is your mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

Nahum 2:11,12
Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid? …

Zephaniah 3:1-4
Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! …

young lions

Job 4:11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

Psalm 58:6
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Isaiah 5:29
Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.

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Ezekiel 19
1. A lamentation for the princes of Israel, by the parable of a lion whelping in a pit
10. and for Jerusalem, under the parable of a wasted vine














“and say”
This phrase introduces a directive from God to the prophet Ezekiel. The Hebrew word for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the context of divine communication. It signifies the authority and importance of the message that follows. In the prophetic tradition, the act of speaking is not merely a conveyance of words but an act of obedience to God's command. This highlights the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God, emphasizing the seriousness and divine origin of the message.

“What was your mother?”
This rhetorical question invites reflection on the identity and character of the nation of Israel. The Hebrew word for "mother" is "אֵם" (em), which can symbolize origin, nurturing, and identity. In the context of Ezekiel, it often refers to Jerusalem or the nation of Israel as a whole. This question sets the stage for a metaphorical exploration of Israel's past, prompting the audience to consider their spiritual heritage and the ways in which they have strayed from their foundational identity.

“A lioness”
The metaphor of a lioness is powerful and evocative. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were symbols of strength, power, and royalty. The Hebrew word "לָבִיאָה" (lavi'ah) conveys these attributes, suggesting that Israel was once a nation of great potential and influence. This imagery serves to remind the Israelites of their noble beginnings and the divine calling they have received. It also foreshadows the lamentation that follows, as the lioness's strength is not fully realized due to the nation's disobedience.

“among the lions!”
This phrase situates the lioness within a community of lions, indicating that Israel was once among other powerful nations. The Hebrew preposition "בְּ" (be) can mean "among" or "in," suggesting a sense of belonging or association. This context implies that Israel was intended to be a leader and influencer among the nations, reflecting God's purpose for them to be a light to the Gentiles. However, the lamentation that follows in the chapter reveals how this potential was squandered.

“She lay down”
The imagery of lying down suggests rest, security, and dominion. The Hebrew verb "רָבַץ" (ravats) is often used to describe animals at rest, indicating a period of peace and stability. For Israel, this could symbolize times when they were faithful to God and experienced His blessings and protection. It serves as a reminder of the peace that comes from obedience and alignment with God's will.

“among young lions;”
The mention of "young lions" further develops the metaphor of strength and potential. The Hebrew word "כְּפִיר" (kefir) refers to young, vigorous lions, symbolizing emerging power and future leaders. This suggests that Israel had the potential to raise up strong leaders and continue its legacy of influence. However, the lamentation in the chapter indicates that this potential was not fully realized due to the nation's unfaithfulness.

“she reared her cubs.”
The act of rearing cubs speaks to nurturing, growth, and the transmission of values and identity. The Hebrew verb "גָּדַל" (gadal) means to grow or become great, emphasizing the responsibility of the nation to cultivate future generations. This phrase highlights the importance of spiritual and moral education, as well as the role of the community in shaping its leaders. It serves as a call to remember the importance of raising up godly leaders who will carry on the legacy of faithfulness to God.

(2) Thy mother.--Mother stands for the whole national community--the theocracy, as is plain from Ezekiel 19:10. This was represented, since the captivity of the ten tribes, by Judah; and her "princes," of the line of David, were the legitimate kings of the whole nation. The figure of the lion is a common one in Scripture (see Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24; Numbers 24:9), and was also familiar in Babylonia.

Verse 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, 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and say:
וְאָמַרְתָּ֗ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘What
מָ֤ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

was your mother?
אִמְּךָ֙ (’im·mə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

A lioness
לְבִיָּ֔א (lə·ḇî·yā)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3833: To roar, a lion,

among
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the lions!
אֲרָי֖וֹת (’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 738: A lion

She lay down
רָבָ֑צָה (rā·ḇā·ṣāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

among
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the young lions;
כְּפִרִ֖ים (kə·p̄i·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3715: A village, a young lion

she reared
רִבְּתָ֥ה (rib·bə·ṯāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

her cubs.
גוּרֶֽיהָ׃ (ḡū·re·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1482: A cub, of the lion


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 19:2 And say What was your mother? (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
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