Ezekiel 34:10

Translations

Modern

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

Traditional

Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Literal

Thus says the Lord YHWH, ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock from their hands, and I will make them cease from shepherding the sheep, and the shepherds no longer will shepherd themselves; for I will snatch My flock from their mouths, and they will not be for them as food.’

Latin

Hæc dicit Dominus Deus: Ecce ego ipse super pastores: requiram gregem meum de manu eorum, et cessare faciam eos, ut ultra non pascant gregem, nec pascant amplius pastores semetipsos: et liberabo gregem meum de ore eorum, et non erit ultra eis in escam.

Original

Hebrew

English

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

Notes

Ezekiel 34:7–11

The Lord promised to hold the selfish shepherds accountable for their actions. He would remove them from their positions and save his flock from their grasp, so they would no longer be prey. The Lord would search for his scattered flock (Ezekiel 34:12) and bring them home.

Ezekiel 34:1–24

This chapter includes both judgment and salvation. God would judge the shepherds, that is, the former kings of Judah. They failed to care for their flock, meaning the people of Judah.

The Lord would also judge the fattened sheep. These were the strong and selfish people who harmed others. Yet God would act as a good shepherd. He would care for the rest of the flock and provide for them.

The image of the shepherd shows both the strength and kindness of God's actions with His people. In the ancient Near East, a shepherd was a common symbol for a king. People saw the earthly king as a representative of the divine shepherd who appointed him.

Shepherds had to protect their flocks from wild animals like lions and bears. They also needed to know their sheep by name and gently lead them to good pasture and calm waters. They faced cold, heat, wind, rain, and snow while caring for their flocks.

Good kings who led their people wisely and strongly were like shepherds. The New Testament uses the same image to describe pastors and elders, who should oversee their flock without being domineering (1 Peter 5:2–4). Jesus perfectly combines strength and kindness as the “great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20).

Ezekiel 34:1–37:28

These chapters describe the blessings that would come when the Lord returned to his people.

He would be their shepherd. He would give them good and faithful leadership (Ezekiel 34).

He would make the land fruitful again. In this way, he would show that his name is honored and holy (Ezekiel 35–36).

He would bring his people back to life and make them one nation again (Ezekiel 37).

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Zechariah 10:3
“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.
Ezekiel 34:2
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?
Jeremiah 21:13
Behold, I am against you who dwell above the valley, atop the rocky plateau—declares the LORD—you who say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our dwellings?”
Ezekiel 13:8
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.
Psalm 72:12–14
For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Ezekiel 34:8
‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead,
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Ezekiel 3:18
If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.
Jeremiah 52:24–27
The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers.
Nahum 2:13
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will reduce your chariots to cinders, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.”
Ezekiel 5:8
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of God, Names of Shepherd

Topics

Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: Duties of Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: He Protects and Preserves Rulers: Wicked Shepherds: (Ignorant and Foolish) of Bad Ministers the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Protects and Preserves

Ezekiel 34:10

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