Chapter 19: Lamentation for the Princes of Israel
- A Lament for Israel’s Princes
G‑d commands Yechezkel to take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel. The chapter begins with a poetic description of Israel as a lioness among lions, raising her cubs to become strong and fierce.
- The First Young Lion Taken to Egypt
The lioness raised one cub who became a young lion. He learned to seize prey and devoured men. However, nations gathered against him, trapped him in a pit, and brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt.
- The Second Young Lion Taken to Babylon
When the lioness saw her hope was lost, she raised another cub to be a young lion. He too became strong, ravaged cities, and caused desolation with his roar. Nations gathered against him, captured him in their net, and brought him in chains to the king of Babylon, so that his voice would no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel.
- Israel Compared to a Vine
Israel is then compared to a vine planted by abundant waters, fruitful and full of branches. Its strong rods were like scepters for rulers, and its height was exalted among the branches. But in G‑d’s fury, it was uprooted, cast to the ground, and its fruit dried up by the east wind. Its strong rods were consumed by fire.
- The Vine Planted in a Desert
Now the vine is planted in a dry and desolate land. Fire has come out from its branches and devoured its fruit, leaving no strong rod or scepter to rule. The chapter closes with the solemn words: “It is a lamentation, and it shall be for a lamentation.”
Key Message
This chapter mourns the downfall of Israel’s leaders and the nation’s loss of strength and sovereignty. It emphasizes that pride and rebellion lead to destruction, while G‑d’s judgment is inevitable.
