Ezekiel 34:24

Translations

Modern

I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.

Traditional

And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.

Literal

And I, YHWH, will be unto them God, and My servant David a prince in their midst. I, YHWH, have spoken.

Latin

Ego autem Dominus ero eis in Deum, et servus meus David princeps in medio eorum: ego Dominus locutus sum.

Original

Hebrew

English

I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, the LORD, have spoken.

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 36:28
Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.
Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Jeremiah 23:5–6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
Ezekiel 37:27
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Ezekiel 37:23
They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.
Isaiah 43:2–3
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Exodus 29:45–46
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
Hebrews 2:9–10
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Jeremiah 32:38
They will be My people, and I will be their God.
Revelation 19:13–16
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.

Parallels

Psalm 23:1–6 John 10:1–21

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Foreknowledge God, Names of King 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 Righteous: Promises To, Expressed or Implied The Jews: Promises Respecting: That Christ Shall Reign Over

Ezekiel 34:24

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