And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

EZEKIEL 19:9KJV
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Ezekiel 19:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 19:9 mean?

Ezekiel 19:9 describes how a leader of Israel was captured, bound in chains, and taken to the king of Babylon, where he was imprisoned so that his influence and voice would no longer be heard in Israel. The verse uses the image of a lion caught and silenced, showing the complete removal of this ruler’s power from his homeland.

In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Israel, using a poetic story about a lioness and her cubs to represent the royal family of Judah. The "him" in this verse refers to one of Judah’s kings—likely Jehoiachin—who was taken captive by Babylon. The verse emphasizes the finality of his removal: not only was he physically taken away, but he was also cut off from any future leadership or influence over Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 19:9

  • "ward" (מַטְמֵרָה, matmerah): This word means a place of confinement or prison. It highlights that the king was not just taken away, but securely locked up, stressing the loss of freedom and authority.
  • "chains" (נְחֻשְׁתַּיִם, neḥushtayim): This word refers to bronze or copper fetters. The use of metal chains underlines the harshness and humiliation of the captivity.
  • "holds" (מִבְצָר, mivtzar): This word means a fortress or stronghold. It shows that the captive king was placed in a secure, fortified location, making escape or return impossible.
  • "voice" (קוֹל, qol): This word means voice or sound. The verse stresses that the king’s voice—his authority and command—would no longer be heard in Israel, symbolizing the end of his reign and influence.

Why Ezekiel 19:9 matters

  • Ezekiel 19:9 clarifies that the exile was not just a temporary setback but a total removal of the king’s power and presence from Israel, ending any hope of his return.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Ezekiel 19, where the downfall of Judah’s leaders is described in vivid, poetic language, helping the people understand the seriousness of their situation.
  • By focusing on the silencing of the king’s "voice," the verse highlights how exile meant not just physical displacement but also the loss of leadership, guidance, and national identity for Israel.

Where else these words appear

“holds” Hebrew H4685 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 12:12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
  • Ecclesiastes 9:14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

“chains” Hebrew H2397 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
  • Isaiah 37:29 Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
  • Ezekiel 29:4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.