Ezekiel 34:16 kjv
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Ezekiel 34:16 nkjv
"I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."
Ezekiel 34:16 niv
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Ezekiel 34:16 esv
I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
Ezekiel 34:16 nlt
I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes ? feed them justice!
Ezekiel 34 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 34:16 | I will seek the lost, and bring back the banished, and will bind up the broken, and will strengthen the weak... | Eze 34:16 (Exact Verse) |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. | John 10:11 (Jesus as Good Shepherd) |
| Luke 15:4-7 | What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine... | Luke 15:4-7 (Parable of the Lost Sheep) |
| Psalm 23:1-3 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside... | Psa 23:1-3 (Shepherd Imagery) |
| Jeremiah 31:8 | Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest corners of... | Jer 31:8 (Gathering from Nations) |
| Isaiah 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in... | Isa 40:11 (Gentle Shepherd) |
| John 6:39 | And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me... | John 6:39 (Preservation of Believers) |
| 1 Peter 2:25 | For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. | 1 Pet 2:25 (Returning to the Shepherd) |
| Ezekiel 3:17 | Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Therefore hear a word from my mouth... | Eze 3:17 (Role of the Prophet as Watchman) |
| Ezekiel 36:24 | I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you home. | Eze 36:24 (Restoration and Gathering) |
| Hebrews 13:20 | Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead... | Heb 13:20 (God of Peace, Shepherd) |
| Acts 20:28 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you... | Acts 20:28 (Shepherds overseeing the flock) |
| Jeremiah 50:6 | My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them aside on the mountains... | Jer 50:6 (Lost Sheep Imagery) |
| Hosea 4:16 | Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn. How then can the LORD now let them go from his pen? | Hos 4:16 (Stubbornness of Israel) |
| Psalm 107:16 | For he broke down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. | Psa 107:16 (Deliverance from Strongholds) |
| John 10:16 | And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to... | John 10:16 (Other Sheep) |
| Isaiah 53:6 | All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—each of us—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on... | Isa 53:6 (All have gone astray) |
| Romans 11:25-26 | Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, a partial hardening... | Rom 11:25-26 (Israel's Temporary Blindness) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and... | 1 Cor 1:10 (Call for Unity) |
| Galatians 6:1 | Brothers, if anyone is to be caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him... | Gal 6:1 (Restoring those who stray) |
| Jude 1:23 | Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment... | Jude 1:23 (Saving others from destruction) |
Ezekiel 34 verses
Ezekiel 34 16 Meaning
The Lord declares He will search for and seek out His lost sheep. He will rescue them from where they have been scattered and gather them from among the nations. This signifies divine intervention and the ultimate restoration of God's people.
Ezekiel 34 16 Context
This verse is found in Ezekiel chapter 34, which is a strong prophetic oracle denouncing the corrupt shepherds (leaders) of Israel. These leaders have failed in their duty to care for the flock, instead exploiting and scattering them. God promises to hold these false shepherds accountable and to take over the care of His sheep Himself. This chapter sets the stage for the coming of the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who would fulfill these promises. Historically, this message would have resonated deeply with the exiled Israelites, who experienced firsthand the failures of their leadership and the suffering caused by being scattered.
Ezekiel 34 16 Word Analysis
- "I will seek": (Hebrew: Adarash) - To search diligently, to inquire, to seek out. This emphasizes a personal and intentional act of seeking. God isn't passively waiting but actively pursuing His people.
- "the lost": (Hebrew: ha'oveda - from avad, to perish, be lost, wander) - Refers to those who have strayed, become vulnerable, and are separated from the shepherd and safety. This includes those physically lost and spiritually wandering.
- "and bring back": (Hebrew: vehashavti - from shuv, to return, bring back, restore) - Indicates restoration and return to a place of security and belonging. It’s an active bringing back, not a self-return.
- "the banished": (Hebrew: haniddaḥa - from nadah, to banish, drive away, repel) - Refers to those who have been driven out or exiled, separated from their home and community. This has immediate relevance to the Babylonian exile.
- "and will bind up": (Hebrew: veḥavashiti - from ḥavash, to bind up, bandage) - Signifies healing and mending. It addresses the wounds and injuries sustained by the sheep due to the negligence of past leaders.
- "the broken": (Hebrew: shevura - from shavar, to break, shatter) - Refers to the sheep that are injured, weak, and possibly crippled by hardship and abuse.
- "and will strengthen": (Hebrew: veʾiḥazek - from ḥazaq, to be strong, strengthen, seize) - Implies reinforcing and making strong what is weak and failing.
- "the weak": (Hebrew: haḥolaysa - from ḥalash, to be weak, feeble) - Denotes those who are sickly, faint, and lack strength due to suffering and mistreatment.
Ezekiel 34 16 Bonus Section
This verse powerfully articulates the concept of divine reclamation. The original Hebrew terms for "seek," "banished," "broken," and "weak" all highlight the severe condition of God's people under false leadership, emphasizing their vulnerability and suffering. God's active involvement assures that His sheep are not left to perish but are gathered into His fold with comprehensive care, a stark contrast to the previous exploitation. This meticulous approach underscores God's personal investment in the well-being of His flock, culminating in ultimate restoration and strength. The imagery is consistently echoed throughout scripture, emphasizing God's persistent pursuit and tender care for His people, both individually and corporately.
Ezekiel 34 16 Commentary
Ezekiel 34:16 reveals God's unwavering commitment to His scattered and wounded people. Unlike the selfish leaders who had abandoned them, God Himself promises to be the active, seeking, and restoring Shepherd. This isn't a conditional promise; it's a declaration of divine intention. The specific actions mentioned—seeking, bringing back, binding up, and strengthening—paint a picture of meticulous and compassionate care. God addresses not just their displacement but their injuries and frailty. This promise points forward to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who actively seeks the lost (Luke 19:10), gathers His sheep (John 10:16), heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3), and strengthens the weak. The scattering described reflects Israel's national crises and the spiritual state of individuals who stray from God's presence. God's response is personal, diligent, and ultimately redemptive, showing His sovereign love in action.