Ezekiel 34:22

Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

Therefore will I save {H3467} my flock {H6629}, and they shall no more be a prey {H957}; and I will judge {H8199} between cattle {H7716} and cattle {H7716}.

therefore I will save my flock; they will no longer be prey; and I will judge between sheep and other sheep.

I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another.

therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

Ezekiel 34:22 (KJV) stands as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His people, Israel, promising deliverance and divine justice after the failures of their human leaders.

Context

This verse is part of a significant chapter in the Book of Ezekiel, where the prophet condemns the corrupt "shepherds" (leaders) of Israel who neglected and exploited God's "flock" (the people). Instead of feeding and protecting them, these leaders scattered the sheep, leaving them vulnerable and preyed upon. Chapters leading up to this often detail Judah's sin and impending judgment. In Ezekiel 34:11-16, God Himself pledges to intervene, gather His scattered sheep, and shepherd them personally. Verse 22 continues this theme, emphasizing the security and peace that will result from His direct intervention.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereign Salvation and Protection: The declaration "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey" highlights God's active role as deliverer. He promises to rescue His people from external threats and internal exploitation, ensuring their safety. This echoes the protection offered by a true shepherd to his sheep, a theme found throughout Scripture, such as in Psalm 23:1.
  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The phrase "and I will judge between cattle and cattle" reveals God's intent to bring justice not only against external oppressors but also within the community itself. This judgment specifically addresses the strong, oppressive "rams and he goats" mentioned in Ezekiel 34:17-21, who had abused the weaker members of the flock. God's judgment ensures fairness and restores order among His people.
  • The True Shepherd: This passage implicitly points forward to the ultimate Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's promise to care for His flock. As the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, He lays down His life for the sheep and gathers them into one fold.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "cattle and cattle" translates the Hebrew word tzone (צֹאן), which broadly refers to small livestock like sheep and goats. In this context, it emphasizes the internal division within the flock itself, where some "sheep" (the powerful and abusive) were harming other "sheep" (the weak and vulnerable). God's promise to "judge between" them signifies His discerning and righteous intervention to separate the oppressors from the oppressed within His own community.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 34:22 offers great comfort and a call to reflection. It assures us of God's personal care and protection, reminding us that He is actively involved in our lives and in the life of the church. We are His flock, and He promises to keep us from being prey. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful reminder for leaders within the church to shepherd God's people with integrity and compassion, knowing that God Himself will ultimately judge how His flock is treated. It also encourages us to seek justice and care for the vulnerable within our own communities, reflecting God's heart for His people.

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.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 23:2

    Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 23:3

    And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

  • Ezekiel 34:10

    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.

  • Zechariah 11:7

    And I will feed the flock of slaughter, [even] you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.

  • Zechariah 11:9

    Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.
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