Ezekiel 19:5
New International Version
“’When she saw her hope unfulfilled, her expectation gone, she took another of her cubs and made him a strong lion.

New Living Translation
“When the lioness saw that her hopes for him were gone, she took another of her cubs and taught him to be a strong young lion.

English Standard Version
When she saw that she waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

Berean Standard Bible
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

King James Bible
Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.

New King James Version
‘When she saw that she waited, that her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

New American Standard Bible
‘When she saw, as she waited, That her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs And made him a young lion.

NASB 1995
When she saw, as she waited, That her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs And made him a young lion.

NASB 1977
‘When she saw, as she waited, That her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs And made him a young lion.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she saw, as she waited, That her hope was lost, So she took another of her cubs And made him a young lion.

Amplified Bible
‘When she saw, as she waited, That her hope was lost, She took another of her cubs And made him a young lion.

Christian Standard Bible
When she saw that she waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When she saw that she waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

American Standard Version
Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.

Contemporary English Version
His mother waited for him to return. But soon she lost all hope and raised another cub, who also became fierce.

English Revised Version
Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The lioness waited until she saw that there was no more hope. Then she took another one of her cubs and raised him into a young lion.

Good News Translation
She waited until she saw all hope was gone. Then she raised another of her cubs, and he grew into a fierce lion.

International Standard Version
When she learned that her plans had been frustrated and that her hopes were dashed, she took another of her cubs and turned him into a fierce lion.

NET Bible
"'When she realized that she waited in vain, her hope was lost. She took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

New Heart English Bible
"'Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her cubs, and made him a young lion.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.

World English Bible
“‘Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her cubs, and made him a young lion.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And as she waited she sees that her hope has perished, "" And she takes one of her whelps, "" She has made him a young lion.

Young's Literal Translation
And she seeth, that stayed -- perished hath her hope, And she taketh one of her whelps, A young lion she hath made it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will see that waiting her hope perished, and she will take one of her whelps setting him a young lion.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But she seeing herself weakened, and that her hope was lost, took one of her young lions, and set him up for a lion.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when she had seen that she was weakened, and that her hope had perished, she took one of her little ones, and appointed him as a lion.

New American Bible
When she realized she had waited in vain, she lost hope. She took another of her cubs, and made him a young lion.

New Revised Standard Version
When she saw that she was thwarted, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now when his mother saw that she had suffered and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps and made him a young lion.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when his mother saw that she was weakened and her hope in herself was lost, she took one of her cubs and she made him a lion
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now when she saw that she was disappointed, And her hope was lost, Then she took another of her whelps, And made him a young lion.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she saw that he was driven away from her, and her hope of him perished, and she took another of her whelps; she made him a lion.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament for the Princes of Israel
4When the nations heard of him, he was trapped in their pit. With hooks they led him away to the land of Egypt. 5When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. 6He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 22:20-23
Go up to Lebanon and cry out; raise your voice in Bashan; cry out from Abarim, for all your lovers have been crushed. / I warned you when you were secure. You said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from youth, that you have not obeyed My voice. / The wind will drive away all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness. ...

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.

2 Kings 24:8-17
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his father had done. / At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. ...

Lamentations 4:19-20
Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. / The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”

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?

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.

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.

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.

2 Chronicles 36:9-10
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD. / In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiachin and brought him to Babylon, along with the articles of value from the house of the LORD. And he made Jehoiachin’s relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 13:18
Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”

Zechariah 11:3
Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed.

Matthew 2:22
But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

Revelation 10:3
Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.

another Jehoiakim

Ezekiel 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.

2 Kings 23:34-37
And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there…

a young lion King of Judah

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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














When she saw that she had waited in vain
This phrase reflects the disappointment and realization of futility. In the context of Ezekiel 19, the "she" refers to the mother lioness, symbolizing the nation of Israel or specifically the royal line of Judah. The waiting in vain suggests the failed expectations of the leadership, possibly referring to the unfulfilled hopes placed in Jehoahaz, who was taken captive to Egypt. This reflects the broader theme of Israel's misplaced trust in political alliances and human leaders rather than in God.

that her hope was lost
The loss of hope signifies a turning point where the expectations for restoration or success through human means have been dashed. Historically, this can be linked to the period of the Babylonian exile, where the hopes for a return to former glory under a Davidic king seemed impossible. This loss of hope is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing the need for reliance on God rather than earthly powers.

she took another of her cubs
The "another of her cubs" refers to another king from the line of David, likely Jehoiachin or Zedekiah, who were subsequent rulers after Jehoahaz. This action indicates the continued attempt to establish a strong leadership despite previous failures. The imagery of the lioness and her cubs is a powerful symbol of the Davidic dynasty, which was expected to be strong and dominant.

and made him a young lion
The transformation into a "young lion" suggests the preparation and empowerment of a new leader. In the biblical context, lions are often symbols of strength and royalty. This phrase indicates the hope that this new leader would embody the qualities of a strong and effective ruler. However, the historical outcome shows that these hopes were again unmet, as both Jehoiachin and Zedekiah faced defeat and exile. This reflects the prophetic message that true leadership and salvation would ultimately come through divine intervention, pointing forward to the messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lioness
Symbolic of the nation of Israel, particularly the royal line of Judah. The lioness represents the mother of the kings, possibly referring to the Davidic dynasty.

2. The Cubs
Represent the kings of Judah. In the context of Ezekiel 19, they symbolize the successive kings who failed to lead Israel according to God's covenant.

3. The Young Lion
A specific king of Judah, likely Jehoiachin or Zedekiah, who was raised to power but ultimately failed to fulfill the expectations of righteous leadership.

4. Israel/Judah
The southern kingdom, which is the focus of Ezekiel's lamentation. The nation is depicted as a lioness whose cubs (kings) have not succeeded.

5. Ezekiel
The prophet who delivers this lamentation, conveying God's message to the exiled Israelites in Babylon.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Failed Leadership
The passage highlights the impact of poor leadership on a nation. Leaders are called to uphold God's standards, and failure to do so can lead to national despair and loss.

Hope Deferred
The lioness's realization that her hope was lost serves as a reminder of the dangers of placing hope in human leaders rather than in God. True hope is found in God's promises and faithfulness.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Despite the failures of the kings, God's sovereign plan continues. This passage encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control and justice, even when human leaders fall short.

The Importance of Righteous Succession
The transition from one cub to another signifies the need for righteous succession in leadership. This can be applied to spiritual leadership within the church, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and preparing future leaders.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 19:5?

2. How does Ezekiel 19:5 illustrate the consequences of leadership failure in Israel?

3. What lessons can modern leaders learn from the "lioness" in Ezekiel 19:5?

4. How does Ezekiel 19:5 connect with Proverbs 29:2 about righteous leadership?

5. In what ways can we prevent despair when facing leadership challenges today?

6. How can Ezekiel 19:5 inspire prayer for current leaders in our community?

7. What is the significance of the lioness metaphor in Ezekiel 19:5?

8. How does Ezekiel 19:5 reflect on Israel's leadership failures?

9. What historical context influenced the imagery in Ezekiel 19:5?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 19?

11. Could the metaphorical language in Ezekiel 19 reflect scientific or historical inaccuracies about the fate of these 'lion cubs'?

12. What are the main themes of the Bible's books?

13. How can Ezekiel 19:2-9 be harmonized with the historical records of Judah's exiles, given the imagery of lion cubs taken captive?

14. What is the symbolic interpretation of Revelation's events?
What Does Ezekiel 19:5 Mean
When she saw that she had waited in vain

The “she” is the lioness introduced in Ezekiel 19:2, a poetic picture of the royal house of Judah. Her first cub (Jehoahaz, cf. 2 Kings 23:31–34) had been snatched away to Egypt, and the nation’s hopes of revival through him were crushed. The verse says, “When she saw that she had waited in vain…”.

• The lioness has eyes to evaluate events; nothing escapes God’s notice either (Psalm 33:13–15).

• Her waiting points to the years Judah spent anticipating deliverance from foreign domination (Isaiah 30:18), yet rebellion kept that deliverance from materializing (2 Kings 17:13–14).

• The lament form reminds us that sinful choices have real, historical consequences—even for God’s covenant people (Deuteronomy 28:15–68).


That her hope was lost

Every earthly strategy collapsed. Egypt proved unreliable (Isaiah 30:1–5), and Babylon loomed large. Hope placed anywhere but in the Lord always fades (Jeremiah 17:5–6).

• Loss of hope is exactly what Moses warned would follow covenant disobedience (Leviticus 26:36–39).

• Yet even here God was working out His sovereign plan; the exile would purge idolatry and prepare a remnant (Jeremiah 29:10–14).

• Believers today can take heart: when worldly hopes fail, God remains “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13).


She took another of her cubs

Refusing to give up, the lioness turns to a second cub—most naturally Jehoiachin, though some see Zedekiah (compare 2 Kings 24:8–17 with 2 Chronicles 36:11–13).

• The royal family still had heirs; God had promised David an enduring line (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

• The action shows human determination, but Scripture exposes its futility apart from obedience (Proverbs 19:21).

• God was giving Judah another chance; patience is woven through redemptive history (Nehemiah 9:17).


And made him a young lion

The cub is groomed for power: “she…made him a young lion”. He quickly displays the same destructive traits as his predecessor (Ezekiel 19:6–8).

• Power without submission to God breeds tyranny (Proverbs 28:15).

• Jehoiachin’s brief reign ended in Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 24:12)—a living illustration of Galatians 6:7: “whatever a man sows, he will reap.”

• Even so, God preserved the messianic line through this captive king (Matthew 1:11–12), proving His faithfulness despite human failure.


summary

Ezekiel 19:5 shows a royal mother realizing one hope is gone and quickly shifting to another, only to repeat the same tragic cycle. The verse underscores:

• Human plans that ignore God inevitably disappoint.

• Misplaced hope invites deeper despair.

• God’s sovereignty overrides national collapse to keep covenant promises.

For every believer, the call is clear—place hope not in human leaders but in the unfailing King whom God has already provided, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6–7).

(5) Another of her whelps.--After the three months' reign of Jehoahaz, his brother Jehoiakim was appointed king by Pharaoh (2Kings 23:34). He was conquered and "bound in fetters" by Nebuchadnezzar, with the intention of carrying him to Babylon (2Chronicles 36:7): he died, however, in disgrace in Jerusalem (2Kings 24:6; comp. Jeremiah 22:18-19), and was succeeded regularly by his son Jehoiachin without foreign interference. His character, as shown in Ezekiel 19:6-7 (comp. 2Kings 24:9; 2Chronicles 36:9), was evil like that of his father. . . . Verse 5. - The second lion whelp is identified by ver. 9 with Jehoiachin. For some reason or other, probably because he, as having "slept with his fathers," was not so conspicuous an instance of retribution, Ezekiel passes over Jehoiakim (B.C. 607-599).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When she saw
וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙ (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she had waited in vain,
נֽוֹחֲלָ֔ה (nō·w·ḥă·lāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope

that her hope
תִּקְוָתָ֑הּ (tiq·wā·ṯāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8615: A cord, expectancy

was lost,
אָבְדָ֖ה (’ā·ḇə·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

she took
וַתִּקַּ֛ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

another
אֶחָ֥ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of her cubs
מִגֻּרֶ֖יהָ (mig·gu·re·hā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1482: A cub, of the lion

and made
שָׂמָֽתְהוּ׃ (śā·mā·ṯə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

him a young lion.
כְּפִ֥יר (kə·p̄îr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3715: A village, a young lion


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 19:5 Now when she saw that she had (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 19:4
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