Ezekiel 34:31 kjv
And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 34:31 nkjv
"You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God," says the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 34:31 niv
You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD.'?"
Ezekiel 34:31 esv
And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 34:31 nlt
You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"
Ezekiel 34 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | God's promise to seek, gather, and feed His scattered sheep | Ezekiel 34:11-16 (Shepherding) |
| Ezekiel 34:20-22 | God's judgment on false shepherds, promise of good shepherd | Ezekiel 34:20-22 (Deliverance) |
| Jeremiah 23:1-6 | Promise of a righteous Branch who will reign as king and shepherd | Jeremiah 23:1-6 (Future King) |
| Jeremiah 31:7-10 | God's gathering of Israel, appointed over them a shepherd | Jeremiah 31:7-10 (Restoration) |
| Psalm 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Psalm 23:1 (God as Shepherd) |
| Psalm 74:1-2 | Lament for God's flock that has been scattered | Psalm 74:1-2 (Affliction) |
| Isaiah 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd | Isaiah 40:11 (Gentle Care) |
| Isaiah 56:6-8 | God will gather those who join themselves to the LORD | Isaiah 56:6-8 (Inclusion) |
| Micah 5:2-4 | Bethlehem to bring forth the ruler who will shepherd Israel | Micah 5:2-4 (Messianic Prophecy) |
| John 10:11-16 | Jesus, the good shepherd, lays down His life for the sheep | John 10:11-16 (Good Shepherd) |
| John 10:27-29 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me | John 10:27-29 (Jesus' Sheep) |
| Hebrews 13:20 | Now may the God of peace... equip you with every good thing | Hebrews 13:20 (God's Provision) |
| 1 Peter 2:25 | For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned | 1 Peter 2:25 (Past Straying) |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you | 1 Peter 5:2-4 (Pastoral Duty) |
| Acts 20:28-29 | Shepherd the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood | Acts 20:28-29 (Shepherding Church) |
| Revelation 7:16-17 | They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore... the Lamb... will be their shepherd | Revelation 7:16-17 (Future Peace) |
| Genesis 48:15-16 | The God who has been my shepherd all my life long | Genesis 48:15-16 (Jacob's Blessing) |
| Psalm 80:1 | Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock | Psalm 80:1 (Shepherd of Israel) |
| Amos 3:12-15 | Jehovah will judge those who oppress His people | Amos 3:12-15 (Judgment) |
| Zechariah 11:4-17 | Jehovah instructs Ezekiel to act as a shepherd | Zechariah 11:4-17 (Symbolic Action) |
| Matthew 9:36 | He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd | Matthew 9:36 (Compassion) |
| Luke 15:3-7 | Parable of the lost sheep seeking the one straying sheep | Luke 15:3-7 (Lost Sheep) |
Ezekiel 34 verses
Ezekiel 34 31 Meaning
This verse declares the enduring covenant relationship between God and His people, stating that they are God's sheep, and He is their Shepherd. It signifies an everlasting, unbreakable bond where God's people are recognized and affirmed as His own, and He faithfully assumes the role of their Provider and Protector for all time.
Ezekiel 34 31 Context
In Ezekiel chapter 34, the prophet vividly condemns the corrupt leadership of Israel, whom he likens to greedy and negligent shepherds who have scattered and preyed upon God's flock. God pronounces judgment on these false shepherds and promises to actively intervene to rescue and restore His sheep. This verse, the concluding statement of chapter 34, shifts to God's ultimate assurance to His faithful people. It reiterates His unbroken commitment as their true and everlasting Shepherd, a stark contrast to the failed leadership previously described. This assurance serves as a powerful declaration of God's faithfulness and His unfailing plan for His people's well-being, transcending historical failures.
Ezekiel 34 31 Word Analysis
- 'At-tem (אַתֶּם): You (plural masculine). This directly addresses the remnant of Israel, confirming their identity as God's possession.
- son (בֶּן, ben): Son. Here, it signifies possession or relationship. "You are sons."
- of (שֶׁל, shel): Of, belonging to.
- man (אָדָם, adam): Man, mankind. Refers to humanity, and in this context, "sons of men" refers to humankind in general.
- to (לְ, l-): To, for.
- me (אֹתִ֤י, othi): Me. Indicates possession or belonging.
- My (בְּצֹאני֙, betzoní): My sheep. (Here the KJV renders it 'my flock'). The word translated as 'sheep' is tzon (צֹאן), a collective noun for sheep and lambs. This is God's endearing term for His people.
Grouped Analysis:
- 'At-tem ben-ey 'adam (אַתֶּם בְּנֵ֣י אָדָ֑ם): "You are sons of men." This phrase, juxtaposed with the concluding declaration, highlights the inherent human frailty and dependence on God. While referring to them as humanity, it sets them apart for God's special attention.
- 'At-tem lot-í (אַתֶּם אֹתִי֙): "You are My." This signifies absolute possession and ownership. God claims them definitively.
- betzoní (בְּצֹאני֙): "My sheep." This term, coupled with "My," signifies a deeply personal and covenantal relationship, emphasizing tender care, protection, and provision.
Ezekiel 34 31 Bonus Section
This verse echoes the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 17:7-8, where God promises to be God to Abraham and his descendants. The identification of God's people as sheep is a recurring motif in Scripture, extending from the Patriarchs (Genesis 47:3, 49:24) to the Psalms (Psalm 77:20, 100:3) and prophecy. Jesus, in John 10, explicitly identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, further solidifying this divine-human relationship and fulfilling the prophetic declarations made by Ezekiel and others. The essence of this verse is God's absolute ownership and His unchangeable commitment to care for those He calls His own, promising them security and abundance.
Ezekiel 34 31 Commentary
Ezekiel 34:31 serves as the pivotal conclusion to a chapter focused on judgment and restoration. God declares an unwavering truth: "You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, you are my flock." This is not merely a description but a foundational statement of His covenant commitment. God's people are definitively claimed as His own, distinguishing them from all others. The repetition of "my" underscores possession and deep affection.
The truth that God's people are His sheep speaks volumes. Sheep are dependent, require constant care, are vulnerable to predators, and often prone to wandering. God, as the Shepherd, promises to counter these realities with His active presence, protection, guidance, and provision. This imagery is deeply relational, implying intimate knowledge of each sheep and a profound desire for their welfare. This assurance is everlasting, indicating a relationship that transcends present circumstances, past failures, and future challenges. It is the ultimate validation of belonging to God, ensuring that even when human shepherds fail, God remains the constant, faithful Shepherd who will never abandon His flock.