Original Word: סוּגַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cuwgar
Pronunciation: soo-gar'
Phonetic Spelling: (soo-gar')
KJV: ward
NASB: cage
Word Origin: [from H5462 (סָגַר - shut)]

1. an inclosure, i.e. cage (for an animal)

ward

From cagar; an inclosure, i.e. Cage (for an animal) -- ward.

see HEBREW cagar

Word Origin
from sagar
Definition
a cage, prison
NASB Translation
cage (1).

סוּגַר noun [masculine] cage, prison (possibly loan-word from Assyrian šigaru, cage (Ba^{NB 22}); Late Hebrew סוּגָר dog-collar or chain = Syriac (clog of) dog-collar; whence Arabic dog-collar (as loan-word), Frä¹¹⁴ Prä^{BAS i. 372}); — וַיִּתְּנֻהוּ בַסּוּגַר Ezekiel 19:9 and they put him into a cage.

Setting in Ezekiel 19:9

“ With hooks they put him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into custody so that his roar was no longer heard on the mountains of Israel.” (Ezekiel 19:9)

The term סוּגַר describes the “cage” or “custody” into which the lion—symbolizing the last Davidic ruler taken to Babylon—was confined. The lament portrays the humiliation of Judah’s monarchy and the silencing of its influence among the nations.

Historical Background

Ezekiel 19 is a dirge for the princes of Judah. The “lion whelps” most naturally correspond to Jehoahaz, who was taken to Egypt (Ezekiel 19:4; compare 2 Kings 23:31-34), and Jehoiachin, who was exiled to Babylon (Ezekiel 19:9; compare 2 Kings 24:15). The vivid imagery of a cage used for a captured predator underscores how a once-fearsome royal line was rendered powerless. Babylon’s practice of publicly exhibiting conquered kings (cf. Isaiah 14:16-17) lends historical texture: Jehoiachin spent decades in confinement until Evil-merodach released him (Jeremiah 52:31-34).

Theological Significance

1. Divine Judgment: The cage is a tangible statement that the Lord disciplines covenant breakers (Leviticus 26:27-33). Judah’s unrepentant idolatry led to the loss of freedom represented by סוּגַר.
2. Sovereignty of God: Nebuchadnezzar may have built the prison, yet Scripture depicts the Lord as the One who “shuts” and “opens” (Revelation 3:7). The captivity fulfilled prophetic warnings (Jeremiah 25:8-11).
3. Hope Beyond Captivity: Even while the lament mourns, God had already promised a future Shepherd-King (Ezekiel 34:23-24) who would never be caged. The contrast magnifies the glory of Jesus Christ, the true Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References

• National bondage: Deuteronomy 28:36; Isaiah 39:6-7.
• Personal imprisonment as metaphor: Psalm 142:7; Isaiah 42:7.
• Restoration after exile: Jeremiah 29:10-14; Ezekiel 37:11-14.
• Messianic deliverance from confinement: Zechariah 9:11-12; Luke 4:18-19.

Ministry Application

• Warning: Persistent rebellion leads to spiritual confinement; sin restricts and eventually silences witness.
• Assurance: No earthly power can cage those whom Christ sets free (John 8:36).
• Mission: Like Ezekiel, believers lament the captivity of souls and proclaim the gospel that releases prisoners (Acts 26:18).

בַסּוּגַר֙ בסוגר ḇas·sū·ḡar ḇassūḡar vassuGarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts