יחזקאל, פרק י״ט, פסוק ט׳

The imagery of the King of Judah as a fierce, roaring lion comes to a tragic close when the terrifying beast is captured, losing all its freedom and strength. This powerful metaphor suggests that if the kings had acted with greater humility and submission toward their conqueror, they might have survived [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Historically, this figure primarily represents Jehoiakim, during whose reign the destruction of the land began. However, it also captures the shared fate of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, as all three fell to the King of Babylon and together symbolize the final end of the monarchy [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

The conquerors treated the fallen king exactly like a dangerous animal that needed to be heavily restrained. They placed him in a cage, stocks, or locked chains [רש״י, מצודות, ביאור שטיינזלץ], and dragged him away using chains and hooks designed for pulling wild beasts [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The use of both cages and hooks, unlike previous kings who were taken with hooks alone, points to an exceptionally strict and severe level of security [מלבי״ם].

The captive was then brought to the King of Babylon and placed in secure fortresses and traps, ensuring he would remain locked away without any chance of escape [רש״י, מצודות, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This process actually unfolded in two distinct historical stages. First, the king was captured, subdued, and returned to his own land as a servant to Babylon. Later, after he chose to rebel, he was captured a second time to be permanently imprisoned far from his homeland [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. The ultimate purpose of this total confinement was to silence his threatening roar forever, guaranteeing he would never again frighten anyone or rule over the mountains of Israel and Judah [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Despite these elaborate preparations, a gap remained between the plans of the Babylonians and the actual historical events. In reality, King Jehoiakim never made it to a Babylonian prison, as he died during the journey [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Bridging the account of his live capture with his permanent silence, it is explained that the king was indeed handed over to his enemies alive. However, because he was pampered and delicate, he could not endure the harsh conditions of the journey and died in their hands along the way [מנחת שי].