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, Ezek. 19:1.

Moreover, take thou up a lamentation These words are directed to the Prophet Ezekiel, to compose a doleful ditty, a mournful song, such as was used at funerals; and by it represent the lamentable state of the nation of the Jews and their governors, in order to affect them with it, with what was…

And say, what is thy mother? &c.] That is, say so to the then reigning prince, Zedekiah, what is thy mother like? to what is she to be compared? by whom is meant, not the royal family of David only, or Jerusalem the metropolis of the nation, but the whole body of the people; and so the Targum…

And she brought up one of her whelps Or sons, as the Targum: or, “made him to ascend” [[18]], as the word signifies; to mount the throne; this was Jehoahaz, whom the people of the land took and anointed him, and made him king in the stead of Josiah his father, ; it become a young lion; that is, a…

The nations also heard of him The neighbouring nations, particularly the Egyptians; the fame of his behaviour reached them; they were informed how he used his own subjects, and what designs he had formed, and what preparations he was making against his neighbours; wherefore they thought it proper…

Now when she saw That is, his mother, as the Syriac version expresses it; not his natural mother; as the mother of Sisera looked out and waited for him; but the congregation of Israel, as Jarchi interprets it, the body of the Jewish people: that she had waited; for the return of Jehoahaz out of…

And he went up and down among the lions The kings, as the Targum; kings of neighbouring nations, as Pharaoh king of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and sometimes he was subject to the one, and sometimes to the offer: and his going up and down among them may denote his continuance as a…

And he knew their desolate palaces He took notice of the palaces or seats of the richest men of the nation, and pillaged them of their treasure and wealth, and so they became desolate: it may be rendered, he “knew their widows” [[22]]: or, “his own widows”; whom he made so; he slew the men to get…

Then the nations set against him Or, “gave against him” [[23]]; that is, their voice, as Kimchi; they called to one another, to gather together against him; they gave their counsel against him; they, joined together, agreed, and combined against him, and disposed their armies, and set them in array…

And they put him in ward in chains Or “in an enclosure”; or “in a collar with hooks” [[1]]; put a collar of iron, as is said, about his neck, which had hooks in it, and to those hooks chains were put, in which he was led a prisoner; and it is certain that he was bound in fetters, in order to be…

Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood Another simile is here made use of, relating to the same persons; the same that were compared to a lioness are here compared to a vine, as the people of the Jews frequently are, ; the same person is here addressed, the then reigning prince, Zedekiah, whose…

And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bear rule That is, many sprung from her, and rose up in that nation who were fit to hold sceptres to be kings, rulers and governors, and were such. So the Targum.

But she was plucked up in fury This vine being turned into a degenerate plant of a strange vine; or the people of the Jews becoming wicked, disobedient to God, and disregarding his laws and ordinances, the wrath of God came upon them, and let in the Assyrians among them, who carried off ten tribes…

And now she is planted in the wilderness In the land of Babylon, which though a very fruitful country, yet, because of the hardships and miseries which the Jews were exposed unto in it, was a wilderness to them: in a dry and thirsty ground; which is a periphrasis or description of a wilderness, ;…

And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches By “her branches” are meant the rest of the Jews left in the land; and by the “rod” of them King Zedekiah, now on the throne, when this prophecy was given out; the “fire” said to go out of him signifies his rebellion against the king of Babylon, his…