Ezekiel 34 28

Ezekiel 34:28 kjv

And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.

Ezekiel 34:28 nkjv

And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.

Ezekiel 34:28 niv

They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.

Ezekiel 34:28 esv

They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid.

Ezekiel 34:28 nlt

They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.

Ezekiel 34 verses

Ezekiel 34 28 Meaning

This verse proclaims the end of predation by wild animals in Israel, securing peace and prosperity for the rescued people of God. It signifies a divinely ordained period of safety and freedom from oppression, where God's people will dwell without fear. The "peaceful dwelling" assures security, abundance, and a complete absence of terror or threat from the natural world or enemies.

Ezekiel 34 28 Context

This verse is the culmination of Ezekiel chapter 34, which addresses the failures of the corrupt shepherds (leaders) of Israel who have exploited and scattered the flock. God, through Ezekiel, pronounces judgment on these false shepherds and promises to intervene personally. He vows to rescue His scattered sheep, gather them, lead them to good pastures, and restore them to their land. The chapter contrasts the unfaithful leadership with God's own faithful shepherding. This specific verse depicts the ultimate outcome of God's redemptive work: absolute peace and security for His restored people. Historically, the original audience was facing exile due to their unfaithfulness, and this promise offered hope for a future restoration and a time when such depredations would cease.

Ezekiel 34 28 Word Analysis

• And: Conjunction indicating connection to previous promises.
• they: Pronoun referring to the restored people of Israel.
• shall dwell: Future tense verb, emphasizing a certainty of this state. (Hebrew: ישבו - yishbu, meaning "to sit" or "to dwell") - Signifies stability and permanence.
• safely: Adverb indicating freedom from danger. (Hebrew: לבטח - livtah, meaning "securely," "safely," "without fear") - This word conveys a deep sense of security, encompassing both physical safety and psychological peace. It suggests a state where anxieties and fears are absent.
• in: Preposition indicating location or state.
• their: Possessive pronoun referring to "the land" or their inheritance.
• own: Demonstrative pronoun emphasizing possession.
• land: Noun referring to the land of Israel. (Hebrew: אדמה - adamah, referring to the fertile ground or soil, the land itself).
• neither: Conjunction used for negative parallelism with the following clause.
• shall the: Future tense auxiliary verb, continuing the negative prophecy.
• wild: Adjective describing predatory animals. (Hebrew: חית - chayyah, generally means "beast" or "wild animal"; often implies untamed or predatory nature in contrast to domesticated animals).
• beasts: Noun referring to dangerous animals.
• of: Preposition.
• the field: Noun referring to the natural environment. (Hebrew: שדה - sadheh, field, open country).
• devour: Verb indicating consumption by predators. (Hebrew: אכל - achal, to eat, consume).
• it: Pronoun referring to the people or their land.
• any: Determiner signifying absence.
• more: Adverb of time or degree.

Word-group Analysis:

• "shall dwell safely in their own land": This phrase captures the essence of restoration and security. It speaks to the return from exile and a permanent settlement where threats from both the natural environment and invading forces are removed. The idea of "safely" (livtah) is crucial, implying a condition where the people are not just present but are free from all forms of anxiety and fear of harm.
• "neither shall the wild beasts of the field devour it": This specific pronouncement eliminates the threat from predators. In its symbolic sense, "wild beasts" can also represent oppressive nations, internal corruption, or any force that preys upon God's people. The removal of this threat underscores the completeness of the divine protection and the eradication of all forms of harmful influence.

Ezekiel 34 28 Bonus Section

The concept of wild beasts threatening God's people is a recurring theme in Scripture, often symbolizing the chaotic forces of nature or the hostility of surrounding nations. The reversal of this in Ezekiel 34:28 reflects a perfected creation where all that is predatory and destructive is subdued under God's sovereign reign. This aligns with prophetic visions of a Messianic kingdom characterized by restored harmony in creation itself, where the wolf lives with the lamb, as seen in Isaiah 11:6. The security promised here is rooted in God's covenant faithfulness and the establishment of His rule through a righteous Shepherd, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who conquers all opposing forces.

Ezekiel 34 28 Commentary

This verse paints a picture of ultimate eschatological peace and security for God's redeemed people, directly flowing from God's promise to be their Shepherd. The elimination of predatory animals from the land signifies the removal of all fear, danger, and destructive forces. This is not just a literal promise but also a metaphor for spiritual security. It assures believers that under Christ's leadership, they are protected from any harm that could ultimately separate them from God or destroy their well-being. The promise extends to a future kingdom where God's people will live without threat, enjoying perfect peace and sustenance.