Ezekiel 34 19

Ezekiel 34:19 kjv

And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

Ezekiel 34:19 nkjv

And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet."

Ezekiel 34:19 niv

Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

Ezekiel 34:19 esv

And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

Ezekiel 34:19 nlt

Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled?

Ezekiel 34 verses

Ezekiel 34 19 Meaning

The people of God are described as "muddied" and "left behind" because of the oppressive actions of their leaders, the shepherds. These corrupt shepherds forced the sheep (God's people) to tread upon the muddy pastures and drink from clear waters, which, in this context, signifies that the people were forced to live in polluted spiritual or physical conditions while the shepherds themselves enjoyed what was pure. This imagery emphasizes the exploitation and disregard for the well-being of the flock by those who were meant to care for them.

Ezekiel 34 19 Context

Ezekiel chapter 34 addresses the failure of the shepherds of Israel—the kings, princes, and religious leaders. These leaders are condemned for exploiting God's people, whom God refers to as His sheep. The previous verses (34:1-18) detail how these shepherds have "fed themselves" rather than feeding the flock, leading the sheep astray and allowing them to be scattered and preyed upon. Verse 19 continues this denunciation by illustrating the severity of the corruption. The people were forced to endure impoverished conditions, literally having to "tread down" and consume the trampled remains of their pastures and drink water that the corrupt shepherds had already muddied. This highlights a deep injustice and the spoiled spiritual and physical condition of the nation due to negligent and selfish leadership. The historical context is the exilic period, when many Israelites were suffering due to the consequences of their leadership's failings. This chapter contrasts the corrupt human shepherds with the ultimate "Good Shepherd," God Himself, and later introduces the figure of the Davidic king as the ideal shepherd who will restore His flock.

Ezekiel 34 19 Word Analysis

• וְהַשָּׂאֲרָה (və-haśśə’ārâ):
  • וְ (və-): "and" - A conjunctive particle, linking this phrase to the preceding condemnation.
  • הַ (ha-): "the" - The definite article, specifying "the remnant" or "what is left."
  • שָׂאֲרָה (śə’ārâ): "remnant," "remainder." This term is crucial as it refers to those who survive, those left behind. It carries a sense of hope amidst destruction, those whom God preserves.
• מִבְּעֹר (mibbe‘ōr):
  • מִן (min): "from," "out of."
  • בָּעַר (bā‘ar): "to graze," "to eat," "to feed on."
  • Combined: "from grazing" or "from eating." It signifies the portion that has been eaten or grazed upon, implying that only the leftovers remain for them.
• וּשְׁאֵרִית (ūšə’ērît):
  • וְ (ū-): "and" - Another conjunctive particle.
  • שְׁאֵרִית (šə’ērît): "remnant," "remains." This is a feminine form similar to śə’ārâ. Here it emphasizes the actual "remains" of what the sheep ate.
• מַרְעִיתְכֶם (mar‘îṯəḵem):
  • מַרְעִית (mar‘îṯ): "pasture," "grazing land," "food for grazing." This noun is derived from the root ra‘â (to feed, to shepherd).
  • כֶם (-ḵem): "your" (masculine plural). This suffix directly addresses the corrupt shepherds.
  • Meaning: "your pasture," referring to the grazing lands designated for the flock.
• מִיַּם (mîyām):
  • מִי (mî-): "from" - A preposition often used to denote separation or origin.
  • יָם (yām): "sea," but here, in the context of water, it likely means "water." It can also refer to large bodies of water or, metaphorically, a large quantity.
  • Combined: "from the water."
• נִתְּנָה (nitənâ):
  • Derived from נָתַן (nāṯan): "to give," "to put," "to set."
  • Niph'al passive form (ninjal): "to be given," "to be put," "to be granted." The suffix –â indicates a feminine subject (the remnant of the water).
  • Meaning: "is given" or "is permitted to be given."
• וּבְדַם (ūvədām):
  • וְ (ū-): "and."
  • בְּ (bə-): "in," "with," "by."
  • דָּם (dām): "blood."
  • Combined: "and with blood" or "and by blood."
• רַגְלֵיכֶם (raglêḵem):
  • רֶגֶל (rēgel): "foot."
  • ־ֵי (-ê-): A plural connective vowel.
  • כֶם (-ḵem): "your" (masculine plural).
  • Combined: "your feet."
  • Meaning: "and by the blood of your feet."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The remnant graze from your pasture": This implies that after the corrupt shepherds have consumed or spoiled the best part of the pasture, the "remnant" (what is left of the sheep, or perhaps the poor among the sheep) are forced to eat from what remains, which is already trampled.
• "and the remnant of your pasture is given...": This clause introduces what happens to the remaining portion of the pasture.
• "...from the water, and with the blood of your feet": This indicates the corrupted state of the water. The water has been muddied by the "blood of your feet." This "blood of your feet" can be understood in several ways:
  1. Literal: If the shepherds themselves were injured or involved in bloody activities near the water source, it could have become tainted.
  2. Metaphorical/Figurative: The "blood" of the feet can represent the stains and defilement caused by the shepherds' constant treading and self-serving actions upon the land and its resources, which then pollutes the water. Their presence and trampling inherently cause a kind of "bloody" stain or defilement. It emphasizes the damage they inflict through their every movement and action.
  3. Symbolic of violence: The corrupt shepherds are associated with violence or ruthless action that leads to the contamination of what is pure.

The core idea is the severe pollution and destruction of the sheep's resources by their selfish shepherds, leaving only spoiled remnants for the flock.

Ezekiel 34 19 Bonus Section

The phrase "blood of your feet" is a powerful piece of prophetic imagery. It's not about the literal shedding of blood from the shepherds' feet, but rather about the moral contamination that stems from their activities. Their feet symbolize their walk, their way of life, and their actions in leading and caring for the flock. When these actions are driven by greed and selfishness ("feeding yourselves"), they stain the very environment in which the sheep must live and drink. This highlights how leadership's moral compass dictates the spiritual health of the entire community. The Hebrew root for "blood" (dam) can also be associated with "life" (Genesis 9:5-6), suggesting that by polluting the waters, the shepherds are actively working against the very life of the flock, draining them of vitality. This verse, when read in conjunction with promises of a true Shepherd like David (Ezekiel 34:23-24), emphasizes God's ultimate desire to restore His people with pure leadership that nourishes and protects, not exploits and contaminates.

Ezekiel 34 19 Commentary

This verse powerfully illustrates the devastating impact of corrupt leadership. The shepherds, who are responsible for the well-being of the flock, have instead exploited them. They feast on the best pastures, leaving behind only trampled and depleted fields for the remnant of the sheep. This act of forcing the sheep to "graze from your pasture" signifies a reversal of roles; the shepherds’ trampled lands become the only recourse for the sheep. Even worse, the water sources, essential for life, are fouled by the "blood of your feet." This imagery is graphic, suggesting that the shepherds' every step, their very presence and actions, corrupt and defile the water, making it unsafe and tainted for the flock. This speaks to a complete breakdown of trust and care, where the leaders’ sin pollutes the spiritual and physical environment of God’s people. It’s a stark picture of spiritual devastation caused by self-serving shepherds.

Practical Implication:

• Recognizing that leadership, especially spiritual leadership, has a profound impact on the community.
• Understanding that corruption and selfishness at the top can lead to widespread suffering and spiritual impoverishment for those who are meant to be cared for.
• In situations where leaders fail, God's people are left with diminished resources, both materially and spiritually.