Ezekiel 34:23

Translations

Modern

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

Traditional

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

Literal

And I will raise up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them—He will feed them and he will be unto them as shepherd.

Latin

Et suscitabo super eas pastorem unum qui pascat eas, servum meum David: ipse pascet eas, et ipse erit eis in pastorem.

Original

Hebrew

English

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

Notes

Ezekiel 34:23–24

one shepherd, My servant David: God had promised to raise up a descendant of David to rule after him (2 Samuel 7:12–16). This “new David,” like the first, would serve the Lord. He would be faithful to God and lead the people well. He would care for them like a good shepherd cares for his sheep.

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

God’s Judgment of His People God’s Servant The Shepherd

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Ezekiel 37:24–25
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.
Jeremiah 30:9
Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
Hosea 3:5
Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Ecclesiastes 12:11
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.
Isaiah 55:3–4
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
Jeremiah 23:4–6
I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.
Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
Micah 5:2–5
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Parallels

Psalm 23:1–6 John 10:1–21

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah David Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Foreknowledge God, Names of King Messiah New Covenant Remnant Shepherd

Topics

Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: Duties of Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of David: A Prophetic Name for Christ Gospel: Prophecies Relating To Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Jesus, the Christ: Shepherd, Jesus the True: Foretold Righteous: Promises To, Expressed or Implied Shepherds of Christ As the Good Shepherd The Jews: Promises Respecting: That Christ Shall Reign Over the Shepherd Christ: Foretold Titles and Names of Christ: David

Ezekiel 34:23

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