Ezekiel 34:10 kjv
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
Ezekiel 34:10 nkjv
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them."
Ezekiel 34:10 niv
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
Ezekiel 34:10 esv
Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.
Ezekiel 34:10 nlt
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.
Ezekiel 34 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 34:6 | My sheep were scattered...without a shepherd. | Sheep scattered, shepherdless |
| Jeremiah 10:21 | The shepherds also have dealt foolishly. | Careless shepherds |
| Jeremiah 23:1-2 | Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! | Judgment on shepherds |
| Jeremiah 50:6 | My people have been lost sheep. | Israel as lost sheep |
| Psalm 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | God as good shepherd |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. | Jesus as good shepherd |
| John 10:12-13 | The hired hand...does not care for the sheep. | contrast with hired hand |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you...when the chief Shepherd appears. | Shepherd as overseers |
| Hebrews 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls. | Leaders responsible for souls |
| 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 |
| Isaiah 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms... | God's gentle shepherding |
| Ezekiel 34:1-5 | Critiques the corrupt shepherds of Israel who have fed themselves instead of the flock. | Previous context |
| Zechariah 11:17 | Woe to the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! | Warning to worthless shepherd |
| Revelation 7:17 | For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water. | Lamb as shepherd |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | God promises to seek out and care for His scattered sheep. | God's direct care |
| Acts 20:28-31 | Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers... | Paul's charge to elders |
| 1 Samuel 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry. | Rebellion likened to sin |
| Ezekiel 18:30 | Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his ways. | Divine judgment |
| Isaiah 56:9-11 | All you beasts of the field, come to devour, all you beasts in the forest. ...they are shepherds who have no understanding. | God's condemnation of bad shepherds |
| Genesis 47:3 | Pharaoh said to Joseph's brothers, "What is your occupation?"... | Shepherds' role in society |
| John 21:15-17 | Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" three times, followed by "Feed my sheep." | Peter's pastoral duty |
| Jeremiah 13:20 | Lift up your eyes and see those coming from the north... | Northern invaders/consequence |
Ezekiel 34 verses
Ezekiel 34 10 Meaning
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hand."
Ezekiel 34 10 Context
Ezekiel 34 is a powerful chapter where God, through the prophet Ezekiel, directly addresses and condemns the unfaithful shepherds (leaders) of Israel. These shepherds had exploited and neglected the flock (the people of Israel), leading them astray and failing to protect them. The chapter opens with God denouncing these corrupt leaders (verses 1-5). Verse 10, therefore, serves as a pivotal statement of God's direct opposition and impending judgment against these self-serving shepherds for their failure to fulfill their divine responsibility. The broader context is the exile of Israel and God's ultimate plan for restoration, highlighting His perfect shepherding of His people.
Ezekiel 34 10 Word Analysis
- Thus (כֹּ֥ה - koh): A demonstrative adverb indicating a manner or consequence; signifying "in this way," "so," or "therefore." It links this declaration to the preceding condemnation of the shepherds.
- says (נְאֻ֖ם - ne'um): The participle form of the verb "to say"; signifies "a declaration" or "an utterance," often associated with prophetic pronouncements. It emphasizes the divine authority behind the words.
- the (ה֙וּא - hu' with a particle; YHWH/Adonai): Used in conjunction with "Elohe` -- 'GOD.'" Refers to the supreme deity. The combination "Adonai YHWH" (Lord GOD) is a significant covenantal title for God.
- Lord (אֲדֹנֵ֣י - 'adonay): Hebrew for "Lord" or "Master." Used here in the plural construct form, signifying divine sovereignty and authority over all.
- GOD (יְהֹוָ֥ה - yhwh): The covenantal name of God (Yahweh), often translated as LORD. Its use here reinforces God's direct involvement and personal relationship with His people.
- Behold (הִנֵּה֙ - hinneh): An interjection commanding attention; meaning "Look!" or "See!" It draws immediate focus to the coming action and pronouncement.
- I (אָנֹ֔כִי - anokiy): The first-person singular pronoun. Emphasizes God's personal involvement and agency in this action.
- am (בָּ֗א - ba): "coming" or "coming against." Indicates an active movement or approach.
- against (בְּ- be; יַּד - yad): This phrasing isn't directly translated from a single word "against." The structure is "I am coming... at their hand." This implies an intervention and reckoning, placing God directly opposing their actions and demanding accountability from them.
- the (הָרֹעִ֖ים - ha-ro'im): The definite article "ha-" precedes the noun "ro'im."
- shepherds (רֹעִים֙ - ro'im): The plural of "ro'eh," meaning shepherd or pastor. Refers to the leaders of Israel who were responsible for tending God's flock.
- and (וְ- ve): A conjunction connecting two clauses.
- I (אָנֹ֔כִי - anokiy): The first-person singular pronoun, again emphasizing God's direct action.
- will (מְבַקֵּ֗שׁ - mevakshes): Future tense verb meaning "will seek," "will demand," "will require." It signifies God's active pursuit of accountability.
- require (מִבָּקֵ֣שׁ - mivakes): "To seek," "to ask for," "to require." Indicates a formal demand for an answer or explanation.
- my (מִיָּדָ֖ם - mi-yadamm): From their hand; the preposition "mi-" ("from") compounded with "yad" ("hand") and the suffix "am" ("their").
- flock (צֹאנִ֣י - tso'iy): The possessive form of "tso'ah" ("flock" or "sheep"). Refers to the people of Israel.
- at (מִיָּדָ֖ם - mi-yadamm): This refers to receiving accountability or payment from their hand. It means "from their hand."
Word Group Analysis:The phrase "I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hand" conveys God's direct confrontation and legalistic holding to account. The "shepherds" (leaders) are responsible for "my flock" (God's people). Because they failed in their duty, God declares His opposition ("against them") and His intention to retrieve what is His and hold the shepherds responsible for its mistreatment, literally asking for the flock "from their hand," implying a settlement or reckoning for what they did with the flock.
Ezekiel 34 10 Bonus Section
The concept of "requiring the flock at their hand" is crucial. It implies a form of restitution or judgment for negligence and abuse. In ancient Near Eastern law and customs, shepherds were responsible for lost or injured sheep under their care. God elevates this principle to a spiritual and national level, holding Israel's leaders to the highest standard. The failure of the shepherds directly led to the scattering and suffering of the flock, illustrating a fundamental theological truth: spiritual leadership carries immense responsibility before God. This theme is echoed in Jesus' interactions with Peter, emphasizing the love and care required in pastorship (John 21:15-17).
Ezekiel 34 10 Commentary
This verse marks a pivotal turning point in Ezekiel's prophecy. God unequivocally declares His personal opposition to the corrupt shepherds of Israel – the kings, priests, and princes who failed to lead and protect the people. Their mismanagement and exploitation have not gone unnoticed. God will actively intervene and hold them accountable. The "flock" belongs to God, not the shepherds, and He will reclaim it and demand a reckoning for their failures. This is a divine assertion of sovereignty and a promise of justice, setting the stage for God's own perfect shepherding of His people.