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.

EZEKIEL 19:5KJV
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Ezekiel 19:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 19:5 mean?

Ezekiel 19:5 describes a moment when the "mother" figure, having waited in vain and lost hope, chooses another of her young ones and raises him up to be a young lion. This verse uses the image of a lioness and her cubs to symbolize the leadership of Israel, showing how, after disappointment, another leader is chosen to take a prominent role.

In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Israel, using a poetic allegory. The "she" refers to a lioness, representing the nation or royal house of Judah. After her hope is lost—likely referring to the fall or failure of a previous king—she selects another "whelp" (young lion) to become the next leader, reflecting the repeated attempts to restore strength and leadership in troubled times.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 19:5

  • "waited" (יָחַל, yāḥal): This word often means to wait with expectation or hope. Here, it highlights that the lioness did not just pass time but was actively hoping for a positive outcome.
  • "hope" (תִּקְוָה, tiqvah): This term means hope or expectation. Its use underlines the deep sense of anticipation that was ultimately disappointed.
  • "lost" (אָבַד, 'ābad): This word means to be lost, destroyed, or perished. It shows that the hope was not just unfulfilled but completely gone.
  • "whelps" (גּוּר, gūr): This word refers to young lions or cubs. It emphasizes the youth and potential of the new leader being chosen.

Why Ezekiel 19:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the leadership changes in Judah were not random but responses to failed hopes and lost expectations, showing a cycle of disappointment and new attempts.
  • The imagery of the lioness and her cubs helps the reader understand the emotional and national stakes involved, revealing the vulnerability and repeated struggles of the royal line.
  • Ezekiel 19:5 connects to the larger lament in Ezekiel 19, where the prophet mourns the downfall of Judah’s leaders and the repeated, ultimately tragic, attempts to restore the nation’s strength.

Where else these words appear

“whelps” Hebrew H1482 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Lamentations 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
  • 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.

“lion” Hebrew H3715 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
  • 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.

“hope” Hebrew H8615 · used in 33 verses

  • Joshua 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
  • Job 14:7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
  • Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

“waited” Hebrew H3176 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 8:12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
  • Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
  • Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.