Ezekiel 34:28

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.

And they shall no more be a prey {H957} to the heathen {H1471}, neither shall the beast {H2416} of the land {H776} devour {H398} them; but they shall dwell {H3427} safely {H983}, and none shall make them afraid {H2729}.

No longer will they be prey for the Goyim, nor will the wild animals devour them; but they will live securely, with no one to make them afraid.

They will no longer be prey for the nations, and the beasts of the earth will not consume them. They will dwell securely, and no one will frighten them.

And they shall no more be a prey to the nations, neither shall the beasts of the earth devour them; but they shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid.

Ezekiel 34:28 is a powerful prophecy of restoration and security for God's people, delivered through the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. It promises an end to the suffering and oppression that Israel had experienced due to their unfaithful leaders and their own disobedience.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Ezekiel was written during a period of deep national crisis for Judah, specifically during the Babylonian captivity (c. 593-571 BC). Chapter 34 is a pivotal message, where God condemns the corrupt "shepherds" (leaders) of Israel who had neglected and exploited the flock (the people). In contrast, God declares Himself to be the true and faithful Shepherd who will gather, feed, and protect His scattered sheep. Verse 28 is part of this larger promise of divine intervention, a future time when Israel would be safe from external enemies and internal threats, living in peace and security under God's direct care or through His chosen servant, the Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Protection: The verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to protect His people. They will "no more be a prey to the heathen," signifying protection from foreign powers and conquerors, and "neither shall the beast of the land devour them," symbolizing safety from internal dangers, wild forces, or perhaps oppressive rulers. This assures complete security from all forms of harm.
  • Security and Peace: The core promise is that they "shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid." This speaks to a profound sense of well-being, freedom from anxiety, and a stable, peaceful existence—a stark contrast to their current state of fear and dispersion.
  • Covenant Fulfillment: This promise is intrinsically linked to God's covenant with His people, pointing towards a new era of blessing and faithfulness. It echoes the promise of a covenant of peace mentioned earlier in the chapter, ensuring lasting tranquility.
  • Messianic Hope: While immediately applicable to the restoration of Israel, this prophecy also points to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Through Him, believers find true spiritual security and peace that transcends worldly fears, echoing the ultimate promise of no more tears or fear in the new creation (Revelation 21:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prey" is baz (בַּז), which means plunder or spoil, emphasizing that they would no longer be victims of exploitation. The term "heathen" (goyim - גּוֹיִם) refers to the Gentile nations, often portrayed as hostile oppressors. "Beast of the land" (chayyat ha'aretz - חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ) literally means wild animals, but in prophetic literature, it can also symbolize destructive forces or oppressive human powers. The phrase "dwell safely" (v'yashvu lavetach - וְיָשְׁבוּ לָבֶטַח) conveys a deep sense of security, confidence, and freedom from threat.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 34:28 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging nature as a loving and protective Shepherd. Even in a world filled with uncertainties, fear, and various "beasts" (challenges, anxieties, spiritual attacks), we can find comfort and security in His divine providence. This verse encourages us to place our trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He desires for His people to live in safety and peace, free from fear. It offers hope for both present spiritual security and the ultimate future where God will establish His kingdom of perfect peace, echoing the promise of peace in God's future kingdom.

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.

  • Jeremiah 46:27

    But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make [him] afraid.

  • Jeremiah 30:10

    ¶ Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make [him] afraid.

  • Ezekiel 39:26

    After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made [them] afraid.

  • Ezekiel 34:8

    [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

  • Ezekiel 36:15

    Neither will I cause [men] to hear in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou bear the reproach of the people any more, neither shalt thou cause thy nations to fall any more, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 34:29

    And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

  • Ezekiel 36:4

    Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that [are] round about;

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