Ezekiel 34:30

KJV

Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God [am] with them, and [that] they, [even] the house of Israel, [are] my people, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus shall they know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} their God {H430} am with them, and that they, even the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, are my people {H5971}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will know that I, ADONAI their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Isra'el, are my people,' says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are My people,’ declares the Lord GOD.

American Standard Version

And they shall know that I, Jehovah, their God am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 34:30 serves as a climactic declaration of divine faithfulness and restoration, assuring the house of Israel that through God's redemptive actions, they will experientially know His abiding presence and reaffirm their identity as His cherished people. This verse solidifies the covenant bond, promising a future where the Lord God, having acted as their true Shepherd, will dwell among them, establishing an unbreakable relationship after a period of judgment and scattering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal section in Ezekiel 34, which begins with a scathing indictment against the corrupt and self-serving "shepherds" (leaders) of Israel who have neglected and exploited God's flock. In stark contrast, the Lord God Himself promises to intervene directly, acting as the true and good Shepherd. He pledges to seek out His scattered sheep, rescue them, feed them in good pasture, and bring them security and rest (e.g., [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God as the True Shepherd")). The subsequent verses detail God's judgment between the "fat and lean sheep" (the oppressive and the oppressed) and His intention to raise up a righteous Davidic shepherd, His servant David, to rule over them (e.g., [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23 "Ezekiel 34:23-24 - The Promise of a Davidic Shepherd")). Verse 30, therefore, acts as a foundational statement, affirming the restored relationship and identity that will characterize this new era of divine shepherding and peace, setting the stage for the "covenant of peace" described in [Ezekiel 34:25](/ezekiel/34-25 "Ezekiel 34:25 - The Covenant of Peace").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period of profound national trauma for Israel. The people had lost their land, temple, and monarchy, leading to questions about God's faithfulness and their identity as His chosen people. The "shepherd" imagery was deeply resonant in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where kings and leaders were often depicted as shepherds of their people. However, Israel's leaders had failed miserably, leading to the nation's downfall. This context amplifies the significance of God's promise to become their Shepherd, directly addressing the failures of human leadership and offering divine intervention as the only true hope for restoration. The promise of God being "with them" and Israel being "my people" directly counters the despair and perceived abandonment of the exile, reaffirming the enduring covenant despite their disobedience.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 34:30 powerfully encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Presence** is central, emphasizing God's active, intimate, and protective involvement with His people, a promise that echoes from the wilderness wanderings (e.g., [Exodus 33:14](/exodus/33-14 "Exodus 33:14 - God's Presence Goes With Them")) to the New Covenant. Secondly, it highlights **Covenant Relationship and Identity**, reaffirming Israel's unique status as God's chosen "people" despite their unfaithfulness and the judgment of exile. This echoes the original covenant declaration in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession"). Thirdly, the phrase "Thus shall they know" points to **Experiential Knowledge of God**, implying that Israel's understanding of God's character and faithfulness will be forged through His powerful acts of redemption and restoration, a knowledge far deeper than mere intellectual assent. Finally, the verse contributes to the overarching theme of **Restoration and New Covenant**, portraying a future where the broken relationship is healed, and God's people live securely under His direct, benevolent rule, free from oppression, as promised throughout [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - God as the True Shepherd").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This is not merely intellectual apprehension but a deep, experiential, and relational understanding. In biblical usage, "knowing" God often implies a personal, intimate relationship, born out of shared experience and covenant faithfulness. Here, it signifies that Israel will come to recognize and affirm God's truth and character through His powerful, redemptive actions on their behalf, solidifying their understanding of His commitment and power. It implies a recognition of His true identity as their Shepherd and God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, God's personal covenant name. It signifies His self-existence, eternal nature, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The use of YHWH here emphasizes that it is the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who is making this declaration and will bring it to pass. It underscores His unique relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from all other deities.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** This term refers to a community or nation, specifically a congregated unit. In this context, it powerfully reaffirms Israel's collective identity as God's chosen and cherished possession. Despite their scattering and the loss of their national structures, God reasserts their status as His unique "people," emphasizing His continued claim over them and His intention to restore them as a unified entity under His care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus shall they know":** This opening phrase indicates that the knowledge Israel gains will be a direct result of God's preceding actions—His intervention as the true Shepherd, His judgment of the unfaithful, and His promises of restoration. This knowledge is not theoretical but an experiential realization, a profound recognition of God's character and faithfulness demonstrated through His deeds.
* **"that I the LORD their God [am] with them":** This is the core declaration of divine presence and intimacy. "I the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes God's personal, covenantal identity. "their God" (Elohim) highlights His unique relationship with Israel. The phrase "[am] with them" signifies His active, protective, and abiding presence, promising His nearness, care, and involvement in their lives, reversing the sense of abandonment felt during the exile.
* **"and [that] they, [even] the house of Israel, [are] my people":** This clause reaffirms Israel's identity and covenant status. "The house of Israel" refers to the entire nation, emphasizing their collective identity. "my people" is a foundational covenant phrase, asserting God's ownership and special relationship with them. It underscores that despite their failures and scattering, God has not disowned them; their identity as His chosen people remains secure.
* **"saith the Lord GOD":** This concluding formula, a **Divine Oracle**, authenticates the entire declaration as a direct, authoritative word from God Himself. "The Lord GOD" (Adonai YHWH) combines the title of sovereign Master with the covenant name, reinforcing God's supreme authority and His unwavering commitment to fulfill His prophetic word.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 34:30 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Oracle**, marked by the concluding phrase "saith the Lord GOD," which lends absolute authority and certainty to the preceding declaration. This formula emphasizes that the promise is not a human conjecture but a direct, infallible word from the sovereign Creator. There is also significant **Covenant Language** embedded in the phrases "I the LORD their God [am] with them" and "they...are my people." These echoes of foundational covenant declarations (e.g., "I will be your God, and you will be my people") powerfully reaffirm the enduring, intimate relationship between God and Israel, despite their past unfaithfulness. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** implicitly with the preceding narrative of the unfaithful shepherds. While human leaders failed to be "with" the people and care for them, God Himself promises His unfailing presence, thereby highlighting His perfect shepherding in opposition to their negligence. Finally, the experiential nature of "know" suggests an element of **Realization**, where understanding is forged through lived experience of God's redemptive acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 34:30 is a profound statement of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, a truth that resonates throughout Scripture. It underscores the foundational biblical theme of God's desire to dwell with His people and for them to know Him intimately. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, forged through His active presence and redemptive acts. It speaks to God's faithfulness even in the face of human failure, promising restoration and a renewed identity rooted in His unchangeable character. The declaration "I the LORD their God [am] with them" is a precursor to the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity, a promise that finds its fullest expression in the person of Jesus Christ and the New Heavens and New Earth.

* [Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise of God's Law in Their Hearts")
* [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 34:30 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that our identity and security are not based on human leaders or our own performance, but on God's unchanging character and His faithful covenant promises. Just as God promised to be "with" the house of Israel and affirm them as "His people," so too does He promise His perpetual presence with us through the Holy Spirit. In a world where leaders often fail and circumstances can shake our sense of belonging, this verse anchors us in the divine truth that God is intimately involved in our lives, actively caring for us as our true Shepherd. We are His people, called by His name, and His presence is our ultimate comfort and strength, enabling us to face any challenge with confidence in His love and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise "I the LORD their God [am] with them" bring you comfort in times of uncertainty or loneliness?**
* **In what ways have you experientially "known" God's presence and faithfulness in your own life?**
* **How does understanding your identity as "my people" (God's people) influence your daily walk and decisions?**
* **What are practical ways you can live out the truth of God's presence and your identity as His own, even when human systems or leaders fail?**

### FAQ
**What does "know" mean in Ezekiel 34:30?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "know" (yâdaʻ) in Ezekiel 34:30 signifies more than just intellectual understanding. It implies a deep, intimate, and experiential knowledge. It means that the house of Israel will come to recognize and affirm God's character, power, and faithfulness through His direct actions on their behalf, particularly His intervention as their true Shepherd and their restoration from exile. This knowledge is born out of seeing His promises fulfilled and experiencing His presence and care, leading to a profound, relational recognition of who He truly is and their identity as His people. It's a knowledge gained through lived experience, not just abstract learning.

**How does this verse relate to God's promises in the New Testament?**

Answer: Ezekiel 34:30 serves as a powerful foreshadowing of God's ultimate desire to dwell with His people, a theme that finds its complete fulfillment in the New Testament. The promise "I the LORD their God [am] with them" is echoed in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, whose name Immanuel means "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")). Furthermore, Jesus' promise to His disciples, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission and Jesus' Presence")), directly reflects this divine commitment. The New Testament also expands the concept of "my people" to include all who believe in Christ, forming the Church, the new Israel of God ([Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "Galatians 6:16 - The Israel of God"); [1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Ultimately, this verse points to the New Covenant where God's Spirit indwells believers ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")) and the final vision of God dwelling with humanity in the New Heavens and New Earth ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 34:30 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the promised true Shepherd and the embodiment of God's presence among His people. The declaration "I the LORD their God [am] with them" is perfectly realized in the incarnation, where God literally became flesh and "dwelt among us" in the person of Jesus ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus is the good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, gathering them from their scattered state and leading them to abundant life, fulfilling the very promises made in [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God as the True Shepherd")). Through His atoning work on the cross, He establishes the New Covenant, where the "house of Israel" is expanded to include all who believe, both Jew and Gentile, forming the Church, the new "people of God" ([Romans 9:6-8](/romans/9-6 "Romans 9:6-8 - Not All Israel Is Israel"); [Ephesians 2:19-20](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-20 - Fellow Citizens with God's People")). The experiential knowledge ("Thus shall they know") of God's presence and their identity as His people is now made possible through the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to abide with believers forever ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, Ezekiel 34:30 is not merely a historical promise to ancient Israel, but a prophetic glimpse into the Christ-centered reality of God's intimate, redemptive presence with His Church, His new covenant people, until His glorious return and the eternal dwelling of God with humanity ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity")).

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

Ezekiel 37:27

My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Ezekiel 34:24

And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken [it].

Psalms 46:11

The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Psalms 46:7

The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Ezekiel 14:11

That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ezekiel 16:62

And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: