19:1 a lament A lamentation (or lament) is a specific genre of Hebrew poetry, identified as a qinah.

the leaders of Israel Likely symbolizing the final rulers of Judah—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Jehoahaz and Zedekiah were brothers. Jehoiakim was their half-brother; his son was Jehoiachin (sometimes called Jeconiah or Coniah).

19:2 What a lioness was your mother The lion was a traditional symbol of Judah (see Gen 49:9). The reference to a mother could be literal (Josiah’s Queen Hamutal, mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah; 2 Kgs 23:32; 24:18) or metaphorical for the nation of Judah (based on Gen 49:9).

her lion cubs Refers to the princes of Israel.

19:3 one from her cubs If the image of the lioness symbolizes the queen mother, then this likely refers to Jehoahaz, who briefly was king in 609 bc before being deposed by Pharaoh Neco and taken captive to Egypt (Ezek 19:4; compare 2 Kgs 23:31–35). Jehoahaz’s full brother Zedekiah, who ruled Judah 597–586 bc, would be the second cub (Ezek 19:5). The symbolism of vv. 8–9 fits with events from Zedekiah’s reign.

19:4 in their pit he was caught Lion-hunting was a popular royal sport throughout the ancient Near East. Ezekiel plays on that imagery with a king being hunted like a lion.

to the land of Egypt See note on v. 3.

19:5 one from her cubs See note on v. 3.

19:7 And he knew their widows The Hebrew wording is difficult. The verse is clear in presenting this king in a negative light, but his precise offenses are open to interpretation.

the land was appalled The imagery now depicts the danger that a man-eating lion posed to the cities and villages of the land.

19:8 nations set out against him Jeremiah 27:1–11 records ambassadors from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Tyre, and Sidon (nations surrounding Judah) coming to convince Zedekiah to join them in rebellion against Babylon.

they spread their net over him The description of the second cub’s fate mimics the imagery of what happened to the first lion cub (Ezek 19:4). The neighbor nations are indirectly responsible for Zedekiah’s downfall and capture, since he followed their ill-fated counsel (falling into their pit).

19:9 his voice would not be heard any longer Ending the roaring of v. 7.

19:10 Your mother was like the vine This imagery recalls the parable of 15:1–8. The vineyard imagery for Judah was also based on traditional poetic motifs from Gen 49:11–12. The association between the mother and the vineyard suggests the mother of the first allegory in Ezek 19:1–9 might symbolize Judah, not a literal queen mother. See note on 15:1–8.

19:11 produced branches of strength to scepters of rulers The vine and stems symbolize the royal dynasty of Judah and the kings of Judah. Ezekiel uses wordplay in choosing matteh for “stem” or “branch” since the word more often means “staff” and can be a mark of leadership.

19:12 and its strong branch dried up The parable in 15:1–8 focuses on the withered and dead vine.

its strong branch Refers to Zedekiah, the ruler when the vine was uprooted.

19:14 not in it a strong branch, a scepter for ruling Refers to the loss of the Davidic kingship. The lament over the lack of a strong stem or branch may hint at messianic expectation (compare Isa 11:1).