KJV
Click to Change
Return to Top
Ezek. 34:1–31 As the move toward restoration continues, Ezekiel describes the nation and its leaders as sheep and shepherds. He addresses the shepherds (vv. 1–16) and then the sheep (vv. 17–31).
Ezek. 34:2–6 Describing rulers as shepherds was widespread in the ancient Near East. David is the model of a shepherd-king (2 Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70–72), but the greatest example is God himself (e.g., Ps. 80:1). Jesus identifies himself as the “good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). feeding yourselves. Not only are the shepherds neglecting the sheep; they are benefiting from their positions of power while the flock suffers.
Ezek. 34:11–16 God intervenes to reverse, step by step, the process described above. He repairs the damage caused by the failed shepherds (vv. 2–6, 8) by seeking the scattered sheep (v. 12), gathering and feeding them (vv. 13–14), and ensuring their security (v. 15). On the announcement of God himself as shepherd (v. 15), see note on vv. 23–24.
Ezek. 34:17–31 The remainder of the chapter is addressed to the flock: vv. 17–22 condemn victimization within the flock; vv. 23–24 return to the provision of a faithful shepherd; and vv. 25–31 describe how spiritual renewal among the people will affect the natural world.
Ezek. 34:23–24 Ezekiel’s announcement of a Davidic shepherd (v. 23; compare 37:24) is similar to Jeremiah’s (Jer. 23:5–6). Ezekiel 34:24 affirms the relationship of God and people. Because it is close to v. 15, some commentators wonder whether the shepherd is divine (v. 15) or human (v. 23). This passage may look forward to the divine-human nature of the Messiah. Such an interpretation would explain John 10:11–18, where Jesus says that he is the “good shepherd.” In doing so, Jesus claims to be both the Davidic Messiah (Ezek. 34:23) and the incarnate God of Israel (v. 15; compare John 1:14). Ezekiel is reluctant to acknowledge any king except God, so he refers to David as prince.
Ezek. 34:25–31 The covenant of peace announced in v. 25 extends to the renewal of the natural world. Compare Isa. 11:1–9, where such peace is part of the messianic age. Covenant curses have been the focus, but the covenant also contained blessings (compare Lev. 26:4–6; Deut. 28:8–14). Showers of blessing refers not only to literal rain but also to abundant blessings from God.
The ESV Global Study Bible
Copyright © 2012 by Crossway.
All rights reserved.
Used by permission.
|
Line-By-Line Order:
 Verse-ReferenceReference-VerseSeparate LineVerse OnlyReference Only |
Reference Delimiters:
None — Jhn 1:1 KJV Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]Curly — {Jhn 1:1 KJV}Parens — (Jhn 1:1 KJV) |
|
Paragraph Order:
Verse-ReferenceReference-VerseReference-Only |
Number Delimiters:*
No NumberNo Delimiter — 15Square — [15]Curly — {15}Parens — (15) |
|
Other Options:
 Abbreviate Books Use SBL Abbrev.En dash not Hyphen |
Quotes Around VersesRemove Square BracketsSort Canonically |
* 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order'
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding.
Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
©2024 Blue Letter Bible | Privacy Policy
Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs.
Loading
Loading
| Interlinear |
| Bibles |
| Cross-Refs |
| Commentaries |
| Dictionaries |
| Miscellaneous |
