Ezekiel 34:8-18

8 vivo ego dicit Dominus Deus quia pro eo quod facti sunt greges mei in rapinam et oves meae in devorationem omnium bestiarum agri eo quod non esset pastor neque enim quaesierunt pastores gregem meum sed pascebant pastores semet ipsos et greges meos non pascebant

9 propterea pastores audite verbum Domini

10 haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse super pastores requiram gregem meum de manu eorum et cessare eos faciam ut ultra non pascant gregem nec pascant amplius pastores semet ipsos et liberabo gregem meum de ore eorum et non erunt ultra eis in escam

11 quia haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego ipse requiram oves meas et visitabo eas

12 sicut visitat pastor gregem suum in die quando fuerit in medio ovium suarum dissipatarum sic visitabo oves meas et liberabo eas de omnibus locis quo dispersae fuerant in die nubis et caliginis

13 et educam eas de populis et congregabo eas de terris et inducam eas in terram suam et pascam eas in montibus Israhel in rivis et in cunctis sedibus terrae

14 in pascuis uberrimis pascam eas et in montibus excelsis Israhel erunt pascuae eorum ibi requiescent in herbis virentibus et in pascuis pinguibus pascentur super montes Israhel

15 ego pascam oves meas et ego eas accubare faciam dicit Dominus Deus

16 quod perierat requiram et quod abiectum erat reducam et quod confractum fuerat alligabo et quod infirmum erat consolidabo et quod pingue et forte custodiam et pascam illas in iudicio

17 vos autem greges mei haec dicit Dominus Deus ecce ego iudico inter pecus et pecus arietum et hircorum

18 nonne satis vobis erat pascuam bonam depasci insuper et reliquias pascuarum vestrarum conculcastis pedibus vestris et cum purissimam aquam biberetis reliquam pedibus vestris turbabatis

Ezekiel 34:8-18 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.