Ezekiel 19

1 et tu adsume planctum super principes Israhel

2 et dices quare mater tua leaena inter leones cubavit in medio leunculorum enutrivit catulos suos

3 et eduxit unum de leunculis suis leo factus est et didicit capere praedam hominemque comedere

4 et audierunt de eo gentes et non absque vulneribus suis ceperunt eum et adduxerunt eum in catenis in terram Aegypti

5 quae cum vidisset quoniam infirmata est et periit expectatio eius tulit unum de leunculis suis leonem constituit eum

6 qui incedebat inter leones et factus est leo didicit praedam capere et homines devorare

7 didicit viduas facere et civitates eorum in desertum adducere et desolata est terra et plenitudo eius a voce rugitus illius

8 et convenerunt adversum eum gentes undique de provinciis et expanderunt super eum rete suum in vulneribus earum captus est

9 et miserunt eum in caveam in catenis adduxerunt eum ad regem Babylonis miseruntque eum in carcerem ne audiretur vox eius ultra super montes Israhel

10 mater tua quasi vinea in sanguine tuo super aquam plantata fructus eius et frondes eius creverunt ex aquis multis

11 et factae sunt ei virgae solidae in sceptra dominantium et exaltata est statura eius inter frondes et vidit altitudinem suam in multitudine palmitum suorum

12 et evulsa est in ira in terramque proiecta et ventus urens siccavit fructum eius marcuerunt et arefactae sunt virgae roboris eius ignis comedit eam

13 et nunc transplantata est in desertum in terra invia et sitienti

14 et egressus est ignis de virga ramorum eius qui fructum eius comedit et non fuit in ea virga fortis sceptrum dominantium planctus est et erit in planctum

Ezekiel 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

A parable lamenting the ruin of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. (1-9) Another describing the desolation of the people. (10-14)

Verses 1-9 Ezekiel is to compare the kingdom of Judah to a lioness. He must compare the kings of Judah to a lion's whelps; they were cruel and oppressive to their own subjects. The righteousness of God is to be acknowledged, when those who have terrified and enslaved others, are themselves terrified and enslaved. When professors of religion form connexions with ungodly persons, their children usually grow up following after the maxims and fashions of a wicked world. Advancement to authority discovers the ambition and selfishness of men's hearts; and those who spend their lives in mischief, generally end them by violence.

Verses 10-14 Jerusalem was a vine, flourishing and fruitful. This vine is now destroyed, though not plucked up by the roots. She has by wickedness made herself like tinder to the sparks of God's wrath, so that her own branches serve as fuel to burn her. Blessed be God, one Branch of the vine here alluded to, is not only become a strong rod for the sceptre of those that rule, but is Himself the true and living Vine. This shall be for a rejoicing to all the chosen people of God throughout all generations.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 19

The subject matter of this chapter is a lamentation for the princes and people of the Jews, on account of what had already befallen them, and what was yet to come, Eze 19:1. The mother of the princes is compared to a lioness, and they to lions; who, one after another, were taken and carried captive, Eze 19:2-9; again, their mother is compared to a vine, and they to branches and rods for sceptres, destroyed by an east wind, and consumed by fire, Eze 19:10-14.