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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, I am against the shepherds {H7462}; and I will require {H1875} my flock {H6629} at their hand {H3027}, and cause them to cease {H7673} from feeding {H7462} the flock {H6629}; neither shall the shepherds {H7462} feed {H7462} themselves any more; for I will deliver {H5337} my flock {H6629} from their mouth {H6310}, that they may not be meat {H402} for them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai ELOHIM says, "I am against the shepherds. I demand that they hand my sheep back to me. I will not allow them to feed the sheep, and they won't feed themselves either. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths; they will be food for them no longer."

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

American Standard Version

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 34:10 delivers a powerful divine indictment against the corrupt leaders of Israel, metaphorically depicted as "shepherds" who have neglected and exploited God's "flock"—the people of Israel. This verse marks a decisive turning point, as the Lord GOD declares His direct opposition to these self-serving rulers, promising to hold them accountable for their stewardship. He pledges to remove them from their positions of authority and to rescue His people from their predatory grip, ensuring that the flock is no longer consumed or victimized by those meant to protect and nourish them. This declaration underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate role as the true and faithful Shepherd of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 34:10 stands as a pivotal declaration within a comprehensive prophetic oracle found in [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Lord as Shepherd of His Flock"). This chapter is strategically placed after a series of prophecies against various nations and immediately before the profound promises of Israel's restoration. The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 34:1-9](/ezekiel/34-1-9 "Ezekiel 34:1-9 - Indictment of the Shepherds")) meticulously detail the systemic failures of Israel's "shepherds," a metaphor for the kings, priests, and elders who were meant to govern and care for God's people. Instead of strengthening the weak, healing the sick, binding up the injured, bringing back the scattered, or searching for the lost, these leaders fed themselves, ruled with harshness, and allowed the flock to be scattered and devoured. Verse 10 serves as God's direct, emphatic response and declaration of judgment, setting the stage for His subsequent promise to personally intervene, shepherd His people, and raise up a righteous shepherd, as elaborated in [Ezekiel 34:11-24](/ezekiel/34-11-24 "Ezekiel 34:11-24 - God's Promise to Shepherd His Flock").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 34, including this verse, was delivered during the harrowing period of the Babylonian exile, roughly between 593 and 571 BC. The people of Judah had been conquered and deported as a direct consequence of their persistent unfaithfulness to God's covenant and the pervasive corruption within their leadership. The "shepherds" in this context represent the succession of kings (like Zedekiah, who failed to heed prophetic warnings), religious leaders, and other political authorities who had consistently failed to govern justly or lead the people in obedience to God's law. Culturally, the shepherd motif was profoundly significant throughout the ancient Near East, where rulers were commonly referred to as "shepherds" of their people. This title implied responsibility for the care, protection, and provision of the populace. Ezekiel's audience would have immediately grasped the stark contrast between this ideal and the grim reality of Israel's exploitative rulers, whose failures directly contributed to the nation's downfall and the scattering of the "flock" into exile.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 34:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment on Corrupt Leadership**, highlighting God's righteous indignation and impending retribution against those who abuse their sacred trust and neglect their duty to the vulnerable. This motif is a cornerstone of prophetic critique, echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1-4 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Woe to the Shepherds"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Protection of His People**, as He declares His personal intention to intervene and rescue His "flock" from the destructive practices of the false shepherds. This theme culminates in God's promise to personally assume the role of the ultimate Shepherd, as beautifully articulated in [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11-16 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God Will Shepherd His Flock"). Thirdly, the declaration "I will require my flock at their hand" introduces the crucial theme of **Accountability and Restoration**. God's judgment is not merely punitive but redemptive, clearing the way for the future restoration of Israel under a true, righteous shepherd, a promise that finds its ultimate Messianic expression in the anticipation of a Davidic Messiah (cf. [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23-24 "Ezekiel 34:23-24 - David My Servant, the One Shepherd")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound divine title, represented by H136 and H3069, is profoundly significant. `ʼĂdônây` (H136) is an emphatic form of "Lord," used as a proper name for God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, dominion, and mastership over all creation. `Yᵉhôvih` (H3069) is a specific variation of YHWH, the ineffable covenant name of God, employed here after `ʼĂdônây` to avoid the repetition of the same sound when read aloud (as Jewish tradition would pronounce YHWH as `ʼĂdônây`). Together, "Lord GOD" underscores God's supreme authority, His covenant faithfulness to Israel, and His personal, active involvement in the affairs of His people. It signifies that the declaration in this verse is not a mere human pronouncement but a divine, authoritative decree from the sovereign Creator and the faithful, covenant-keeping God.
* **require (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** The verb `dârash` (H1875) is a primitive root meaning "to tread or frequent," but more commonly, "to seek or ask." In this context, it carries a powerful sense of demanding, investigating, or holding accountable. It is not a gentle request but a forceful inquiry, a demand for restitution, and an insistence on justice. God is not simply inquiring about His flock; He is actively pursuing a reckoning from the shepherds for their gross mismanagement and abuse. This word highlights the divine insistence on justice and the severe accountability of those entrusted with leadership, implying a forthcoming judgment for their actions.
* **meat (Hebrew, _ʼoklâh'_):** The noun `ʼoklâh` (H402) is derived from a root meaning "to eat" and refers to "food" or "meat." In this chilling metaphorical context, it vividly portrays the people of Israel as mere sustenance for their corrupt leaders. The shepherds, instead of protecting and nourishing the flock, have consumed them, exploiting them for personal gain, power, and profit. This imagery powerfully conveys the predatory nature of the false shepherds and the extreme vulnerability of the flock under their care. It underscores the depth of their abuse and the urgent necessity of God's intervention to deliver His people from being "devoured" or destroyed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against the shepherds":** This opening clause establishes the absolute divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement. "Thus saith the Lord GOD" is a classic prophetic formula, signaling a direct, unmediated word from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. The declaration "Behold, I am against the shepherds" is a direct, unequivocal indictment, expressing God's righteous opposition and impending judgment against the corrupt leaders of Israel. It marks the definitive end of their illegitimate authority and signals the commencement of divine intervention to rectify their abuses.
* **"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":** This segment outlines the severe consequences of God's judgment and the cessation of the false shepherds' destructive rule. "I will require my flock at their hand" means God will hold them strictly and personally accountable for the well-being of His people, whom He unequivocally claims as His own possession. The subsequent phrases, "cause them to cease from feeding the flock" and "neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more," indicate a forceful, permanent removal of their pastoral function and, crucially, their ability to exploit the people for their own selfish benefit. This signifies a complete and irreversible cessation of their abusive, self-serving leadership.
* **"for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.":** This final clause reveals the merciful and redemptive purpose behind God's decisive judgment: the deliverance and ultimate protection of His beloved people. The vivid imagery of delivering the flock "from their mouth" powerfully emphasizes the predatory, consuming, and destructive nature of the false shepherds' rule. The ultimate goal, "that they may not be meat for them," means the people will no longer be consumed, exploited, or destroyed by their corrupt leaders. This highlights God's unwavering commitment to His people's safety, well-being, and restoration, asserting His role as their ultimate rescuer and benevolent protector.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 34:10 is profoundly rich in **Metaphor** and **Imagery**. The most pervasive and central literary device is the extended metaphor of Israel's leaders as "shepherds" and the people as God's "flock." This powerful imagery vividly communicates the leaders' sacred responsibility to care for, protect, and guide the people, while simultaneously highlighting their catastrophic failure to do so. The phrase "meat for them" is particularly striking and gruesome, employing vivid **Zoomorphism** to depict the corrupt leaders not as benevolent shepherds but as predatory animals (such as wolves or lions) devouring the very sheep they are supposed to tend. This visceral imagery underscores the exploitative and destructive nature of their rule. The declaration "I am against the shepherds" demonstrates **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like opposition, righteous anger, and direct action to God, emphasizing His personal and active involvement in confronting injustice. The entire passage functions as a prophetic **Indictment**, a formal, divine accusation and declaration of judgment against the guilty party, leading to a promised, decisive divine intervention for the sake of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 34:10 serves as a powerful theological statement regarding God's unwavering commitment to justice and His profound, compassionate care for His people, especially when human leadership fails them catastrophically. It underscores the foundational theological truth that all authority ultimately originates from God, and therefore, those entrusted with leadership—whether spiritual, political, or familial—are held to a strict divine account for their stewardship. God's emphatic declaration, "I am against the shepherds," reveals His active and righteous opposition to oppression, exploitation, and negligence, demonstrating His character as a just judge who will not tolerate the abuse of the vulnerable. This divine intervention is not merely punitive but also redemptive, setting the stage for the glorious promise of God's direct, personal shepherding of His flock, a theme that profoundly anticipates the coming of the Messiah.

* [Psalm 23:1](/psalm/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1-4 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Woe to the Shepherds")
* [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 34:10 offers profound and enduring insights for both those who lead and those who are led, transcending its ancient context. For anyone in a position of authority—whether in the church, family, workplace, or government—it serves as a sobering and urgent reminder of the immense responsibility and divine accountability inherent in leadership. True leadership, as perfectly exemplified by God Himself, is characterized by selfless service, sacrificial protection, and diligent nourishment of those entrusted to one's care, never by personal gain, exploitation, or negligent abandonment. This verse calls for deep introspection: are we, as leaders, genuinely feeding the flock, or are we primarily feeding ourselves? Are our actions building up, healing, and gathering, or are they tearing down, harming, and scattering? For those who have experienced the pain, disillusionment, or suffering caused by corrupt, negligent, or abusive leadership, this verse offers immense comfort, hope, and affirmation. It assures us that God sees every injustice, God cares deeply for His afflicted people, and God will decisively intervene. He is the ultimate, faithful Shepherd who will never abandon His flock. This fosters profound trust in His sovereign care and encourages a discerning spirit regarding those who claim to lead, urging us always to look to the true Shepherd for guidance, protection, and ultimate deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I, or leaders within my sphere of influence, be tempted to "feed ourselves" rather than diligently "feed the flock" in our various roles and responsibilities?**
* **How does God's explicit promise to "deliver my flock" from corrupt and predatory leaders deepen my faith and strengthen my trust in His ultimate, unfailing protection and justice?**
* **What practical and prayerful steps can I personally take to support and encourage righteous, Christ-like leadership, and how can I wisely and lovingly discern and challenge unrighteous leadership within my community or church?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that God will "require my flock at their hand"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies that God will hold the corrupt "shepherds" (Israel's unfaithful leaders) strictly and personally accountable for their stewardship of His people, whom He refers to as "my flock." The Hebrew word `dârash` (H1875), translated as "require," carries a strong connotation of demanding, investigating, and seeking a reckoning or restitution. It implies that God will meticulously examine their actions and demand an account for the harm, neglect, and exploitation they inflicted upon His people. This underscores the profound principle that all those in positions of power, authority, or influence are ultimately answerable to God for how they treat and care for those entrusted to their charge. It is a declaration of divine justice and an assurance that their abuses will not go unpunished.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 34:10, with its powerful condemnation of false shepherds and the solemn promise of divine intervention, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Lord GOD's resolute declaration, "I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them," serves as a profound foreshadowing of the coming of the true and faithful Shepherd. While the Old Testament prophets often spoke of God Himself shepherding His people (as beautifully elaborated in [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11-16 "God Will Shepherd His Flock")), this promise culminates in the rich Messianic expectation of a righteous King from the line of David who would genuinely care for God's people (as prophesied in [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23-24 "David My Servant, the One Shepherd")). Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") in John 10, declaring that He lays down His very life for the sheep, a stark and sacrificial contrast to the hirelings who abandon or exploit the flock. He is the one who actively gathers the scattered, heals the sick, seeks the lost, and protects His flock from all predatory forces, ensuring they are no longer "meat" for others but are nourished by His own life-giving sacrifice and divine truth (as described in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "The Abundant Life")). Through His atoning death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus delivers His flock from the ultimate devourers—sin, death, and the power of the enemy—and leads them into eternal pasture, thereby demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His people's salvation and eternal well-being (cf. [Hebrews 13:20](/hebrews/13-20 "The Great Shepherd of the Sheep")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 10:3

Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

Ezekiel 34:2

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Jeremiah 21:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

Ezekiel 13:8

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.

Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psalms 72:12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.

Psalms 72:14

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.