Ezekiel 34:21

Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;

Because ye have thrust {H1920} with side {H6654} and with shoulder {H3802}, and pushed {H5055} all the diseased {H2470} with your horns {H7161}, till ye have scattered {H6327} them abroad {H2351};

Because you push them with your flanks and shoulders and butt all the weak ones with your horns, till you scatter them in every direction;

Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad,

Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;

Ezekiel 34:21 delivers a powerful indictment against the unfaithful leaders of Israel, using the metaphor of shepherds aggressively harming their own flock. It vividly portrays the cruelty and exploitation of the vulnerable by those in positions of authority.

Context

This verse is nestled within Ezekiel chapter 34, a pivotal passage where God confronts the "shepherds" (leaders) of Israel for their egregious neglect and abuse of His "flock" (the people). Instead of nurturing and protecting, these leaders are accused of feeding themselves, failing to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, or seek the lost (Ezekiel 34:4). Verse 21 specifically details their violent actions: "thrusting with side and with shoulder" and "pushing all the diseased with your horns," leading to the scattering of the most vulnerable members of the community. This behavior stands in stark contrast to God's own promise to be the True Shepherd who seeks out and cares for His sheep.

Key Themes

  • Abusive Leadership: The verse sharply condemns leaders who use their power not for protection and care, but for oppression and personal gain, treating their charges as objects to be exploited or pushed aside.
  • Oppression of the Vulnerable: The imagery of "pushing all the diseased with your horns" highlights the particular cruelty directed at the weakest, sickest, and most defenseless members of the flock. This underscores a profound lack of compassion and responsibility.
  • Divine Judgment on Injustice: God's declaration here is part of a larger pronouncement of judgment against those who perpetuate such injustice. He promises to intervene and hold these unrighteous shepherds accountable for their actions (Ezekiel 34:10).
  • The Need for Righteous Shepherdship: By exposing the failures of human leaders, the passage implicitly emphasizes the critical need for righteous and compassionate leadership, ultimately pointing to God Himself as the ideal Shepherd.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "thrust with side and with shoulder" and "pushed... with your horns" translate vivid Hebrew verbs. "Thrust" (dachaph) means to push or drive away, while "pushed" (nagach) specifically refers to butting or goring, like an animal using its horns aggressively. This strong animalistic imagery underscores the brutal and uncaring nature of the "shepherds." The term "diseased" (chalah) refers to those who are sick, weak, or infirm, emphasizing their extreme vulnerability to such attacks.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 34:21 remains highly relevant, serving as a timeless warning against any form of leadership—whether in government, business, or the church—that exploits or harms the vulnerable. It calls for accountability for those in positions of power and emphasizes the moral imperative to protect and care for the weak and marginalized. For believers, it reinforces the example of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, and challenges us to extend compassion and justice to all, especially those who are most in need.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 11:5

    Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed [be] the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

  • Zechariah 11:16

    For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, [which] shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

  • Zechariah 11:17

    Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

  • Ezekiel 34:3

    Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock.

  • Ezekiel 34:5

    And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

  • Luke 13:14

    And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back