Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

19:1-14 Lament for the Princes of Israel. Ezekiel presents two further political allegories, like that of ch. 17. Unfortunately the symbolism remains unexplained here. In 19:1-9, a lioness produces two cubs who represent the fate of two Davidic princes, while in vv. 10-14 a vine produces branches, as well as a particular "stem" that appears to represent a single Davidic figure. The whole is presented as a lamentation (v. 1), a distinctive form of Hebrew poetry. Some see this lament as ironic, a pseudo-lament that infuses the literary form of the dirge with disparaging content. Others hear in these words genuine sadness, and the conclusion in v. 14b suggests this is the better reading. The political lesson is that even Davidic princes are not immune from the divine consequences of their actions.

19:1-9 A Lioness and Her Cubs. Both allegories refer to a mother (vv. 2, 10). One cannot be certain whether a literal queen mother is in view (then most likely Hamutal; 2 Kings 23:31; 24:18), or rather a symbolic reference to the nation of Judah (cf. Gen. 49:9 and "mother" of Babylon as nation, Jer. 50:12). Ezekiel 19:3-4 applies most closely to Jehoahaz, taken captive to Egypt by Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:31-35). The second cub's identity in Ezek. 19:5-9 is much more problematic. Of possible candidates, Zedekiah remains plausible (see 2 Kings 25:6), but Jehoiachin is more likely (2 Kings 24:12). Both Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin reigned only three months, which is thought to be a problem for the negative assessment of the second "cub" (although cf. 2 Kings 24:8-9).

19:10-14 A Vine and Its Stem(s). For details, cf. the parable of the eagles and the vine in ch. 17. Whereas the lioness-and-cubs story fixed attention on the fate of individuals, the vine-and-stems (Hb. mattot, plural of matteh) passage makes more inclusive reference to the whole dynasty. Verses 12b and 14 of ch. 19 single out one particular strong stem (Hb. matteh), normally translated "staff," only here referring to a living branch. Wordplay undoubtedly motivated this choice. The reference seems to be to Zedekiah, the last reigning Davidic figure, whose attempts at power politics ended in disaster.