Ezekiel 34:17-22

17 "As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I will 1judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats.
18 'Is it too 2slight a thing for you that you should feed in the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures? Or that you should drink of the clear waters, that you must foul the rest with your feet?
19 'As for My flock, they must eat what you tread down with your feet and drink what you foul with your feet!' "
20 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them, "Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
21 "Because you push with side and with shoulder, and 3thrust at all the weak with your horns until * you have scattered them abroad,
22 therefore, I will 4deliver My flock, and they will no longer be a prey; and I will judge between one sheep and another.

Ezekiel 34:17-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 34

In the former chapter the prophet prophesies against the people of the Jews, both those of the captivity, and those who were not; and here against the shepherds of Israel. This he is bid to do, Eze 34:1,2, whose cruelty to the flock, negligence and unfaithfulness are exposed, Eze 34:3-6, for which reasons they are threatened to be deprived of their office, Eze 34:7-10, and the Lord promises to take the care of the flock upon himself, to seek out his sheep, and feed them, and do every kind office to them, Eze 34:11-16 and then the strong of the flock, that oppressed the weak, are threatened with punishment, Eze 34:17-22 and the promise of the Messiah, as the shepherd of the flock, is made, under whom all prosperity and happiness might be expected, Eze 34:23-31.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Ezekiel 20:38; Ezekiel 34:20-22; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 25:32
  • 2. Numbers 16:9, 13; 2 Samuel 7:19; Isaiah 7:13
  • 3. Deuteronomy 33:17; Daniel 8:4; Luke 13:14-16
  • 4. Psalms 72:12-14; Jeremiah 23:3; Ezekiel 34:10

Footnotes 5

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