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.
Ezekiel 19:3 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men," from the Book of Ezekiel in the Bible is symbolic of the destructive nature of power when it is not used for good. In this verse, the young lion represents a person or entity that was raised and nurtured, but instead of using its strength and abilities for positive purposes, it uses them to harm and destroy others. The image of the lion learning to catch prey and devouring men speaks to the idea of unchecked power leading to oppression and violence. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of using power wisely and responsibly. This verse can be a powerful reminder for readers to consider the impact of their actions and choices on others, and to strive to use their abilities for the betterment of society rather than for selfish gain.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the mother lion brings up one of her cubs, which grows into a young lion and learns to hunt for prey, eventually devouring men. This imagery of a young lion growing in strength and learning to catch prey is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for the rise of powerful nations or individuals. This verse can be interpreted theologically as illustrating the natural progression of power and strength, as well as the potential for destruction that comes with such power. It can also serve as a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of using one's strength for harm rather than good.
Ezekiel 19:3 in other translations
American Standard Version
And she brought up one of her whelps: he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.
World English Bible
She brought up one of her cubs: he became a young lion, and he learned to catch the prey; he devoured men.
Douay-Rheims
And she brought out one of her whelps, and he became a lion: and he learned to catch the prey, and to devour men.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And she brought vp one of her whelps, and it became a lyon, and it learned to catch the praye, and it deuoured men.