Ezekiel 34:1 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 34:1 nkjv
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 34:1 niv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 34:1 esv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 34:1 nlt
Then this message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 34 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 34:2 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel..." | Direct command |
| Jeremiah 23:1 | "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! declares the Lord." | Condemnation of false shepherds |
| Jeremiah 23:2 | "Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people..." | God's specific judgment against them |
| Micah 3:2 | "You who hate the good and love the evil, who flay the skin from them and flesh from their bones..." | Description of corrupt leaders |
| Zechariah 11:17 | "Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the flock! A sword shall strike his arm and his right eye..." | Prophecy of punishment for negligent shepherds |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Contrast with corrupt shepherds |
| John 10:12 | "He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming..." | Differentiates good from bad shepherds |
| 1 Peter 5:2 | "shepherd the flock of God that is among you; exercising oversight, not unwillingly but willingly..." | Exhortation to responsible leadership |
| Acts 20:28 | "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers..." | Pastoral responsibility |
| Psalm 23:1 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." | God as the ultimate Shepherd |
| Isaiah 40:11 | "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms..." | God's tender care for His people |
| Jeremiah 31:10 | "Hear this, you nations, and declare it in the coastlands far off; say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him..." | Promise of gathering scattered people |
| Ezekiel 37:24 | "My servant David shall be king over them..." | Future Davidic king, true shepherd |
| Matthew 9:36 | "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." | Jesus' compassion for the lost |
| Mark 6:34 | "When Jesus went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd..." | Jesus' empathy for the masses |
| 1 Timothy 3:5 | "(if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?)" | Qualification for church leaders |
| Titus 1:5 | "...appoint elders in every town, as I directed you..." | Establishing leadership within the church |
| Psalm 78:71 | "from following after the ewes that are rich in young, to be shepherd of Jacob his people, and of Israel his inheritance." | God choosing David as shepherd |
| Hebrews 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account." | Accountability of leaders |
| John 21:16 | "He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'" | Commission to Peter for leadership |
| Revelation 7:17 | "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water..." | Christ as the ultimate Shepherd |
Ezekiel 34 verses
Ezekiel 34 1 Meaning
This verse signifies a divine pronouncement of judgment and a promise of restoration directed at the shepherds (leaders) of Israel who have failed to care for the flock (the people). It sets the stage for God's intervention to rescue His people from corrupt leadership.
Ezekiel 34 1 Context
Chapter 34 of Ezekiel is a powerful oracle directed at the corrupt leadership of Israel, whom God likens to wicked shepherds. The chapter contrasts these exploitative leaders with the ideal of a good shepherd, culminating in God's promise to raise up the Davidic Messiah as the true Shepherd. The preceding verses (chapters 33) dealt with Ezekiel's role as a watchman and the accountability of individuals. Chapter 34 broadens this scope to address the systemic failure of leadership within the nation. Historically, this message would have resonated deeply during and after the Babylonian exile, a time when the nation's leadership had profoundly failed its people, leading to destruction and dispersion. The message is both a condemnation of past failures and a beacon of hope for future restoration under righteous leadership.
Ezekiel 34 1 Word Analysis
וַֽיְהִי (wayə·hî): "And it was," or "And there was." A common conjunctive particle introducing a new statement or narrative.
דְּבַר (də·ḇar): "word," "thing," "matter," "commandment." Here, it refers to God's divine utterance.
יְהוָה (Yah·wêh): "LORD," the covenantal name of God.
אֵלַי (’ê·lay): "to me." Referring to the prophet Ezekiel.
לֵאמֹר (lə·’ê·mōr): "saying." Introduces the direct speech or prophecy.
Word Group Analysis:
- "And the word of the LORD came to me, saying" (וַֽיְהִי דְּבַר יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר) – This is a classic prophetic formula indicating divine inspiration and the authoritative transmission of God's message. It signals the start of a direct revelation from God to the prophet.
Ezekiel 34 1 Bonus Section
The prophecy in Ezekiel 34 is a crucial passage that highlights the concept of "shepherding" in the Bible. It provides a stark contrast between earthly, failing shepherds and the divine, perfect Shepherd, who is ultimately identified with God Himself and later fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The "shepherd" imagery is rich, encompassing themes of guidance, protection, provision, and covenantal care. The failure of human leaders often necessitates God's direct intervention, revealing His faithfulness and commitment to His people even when their leaders falter. This chapter foreshadows the messianic shepherd, the true King, who will lead and care for Israel and all His sheep according to God's heart.
Ezekiel 34 1 Commentary
Ezekiel 34:1 establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophecy that follows. God directly addresses Ezekiel, commissioning him to deliver a message of great import. This verse sets the theme of judgment against ineffective and self-serving leaders, portraying them as having failed in their God-appointed role to care for His people, the flock. It underscores that leadership is a sacred trust and that accountability before God is paramount, especially for those in positions of spiritual or national oversight.