Ezekiel 36:38

38 "Like the ¹flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so will the waste cities be filled with ²flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the LORD.""'

Ezekiel 36:38 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 36:38

As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn
feasts
Like flocks of sheep, which were consecrated and set apart for holy uses, for sacrifices; even like the flocks of sheep, which were brought to Jerusalem to be offered in sacrifice at the three solemn festivals in the year; especially at the passover, when the Jews came from all parts of the country to slay and eat their passover; and every family had a lamb, which in all must be a great number: we read of thirty thousand lambs and three thousand bullocks given at one time for this service by King Josiah, besides what was given by the princes, ( 2 Chronicles 35:7-9 ) . The Targum is,

``as the holy people, as a people that is cleansed, and comes to Jerusalem at the feasts of the passover:''

or, "as the flock of the Holy Ones" ^F17; either of the holy God, Father, Son, and Spirit; or of holy men, who are made holy or sanctified by the Spirit of God: so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men;
or with men that are like sheep for meekness, harmlessness, patience, cleanness, society, and usefulness; and not with such as are comparable to unclean beasts, or beasts of prey; so it denotes both the quantity of persons that shall inhabit Judea, and dwelt both in the cities and churches there, and the quality of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Myvdq Nauk) "sicut oves sanctorum", Vatablus, Gussetius, Starckius.

Ezekiel 36:38 In-Context

36 "Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the LORD , have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate; I, the LORD , have spoken and will do it."

37 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "This also I will let the house of Israel ask Me to do for them: I will increase their men like a flock.

38 "Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so will the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the LORD .""'

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chronicles 35:7-9; John 2:14
• 2. Psalms 74:1; Psalms 100:3; Jeremiah 23:1; John 10:7, 9, 16

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "of holy things"