Ezekiel 34:31

And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, [are] men, [and] I [am] your God, saith the Lord GOD.

And ye {H859} my flock {H6629}, the flock {H6629} of my pasture {H4830}, are men {H120}, and I am your God {H430}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

'You, my sheep, the sheep in my pasture, are human beings; and I am your God,' says Adonai ELOHIM."

‘You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

And ye my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Context

Ezekiel 34 is a pivotal chapter in which God confronts the corrupt leaders of Israel, who are metaphorically described as "shepherds" who have neglected and exploited His "flock" (the people of Israel). God declares His intention to intervene personally as the true and good Shepherd. He promises to gather His scattered sheep, heal the sick, strengthen the weak, and ultimately establish a covenant of peace. Verse 31 serves as the concluding affirmation of this divine promise, solidifying the unique relationship between God and His restored people.

Meaning and Key Themes

Ezekiel 34:31 succinctly encapsulates the essence of God's relationship with His chosen people, emphasizing several core truths:

  • God's Ownership and Pastoral Care: The phrase "my flock, the flock of my pasture" powerfully reiterates God's intimate and proprietary relationship with His people. It speaks to His deep commitment to their well-being, portraying Him as the benevolent provider and protector who actively cares for His sheep. This imagery is a cornerstone of biblical understanding of God's faithfulness, echoing the beloved declaration in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd."
  • The Identity of the Flock: The crucial clarification, "[are] men," is significant. While using the powerful metaphor of sheep, God reminds us that His flock consists of human beings. This highlights their inherent dignity as those created in His image and underscores the personal, covenantal relationship God desires with intelligent, responsible beings, not mere animals.
  • Covenant Relationship: The declaration "I [am] your God" is a foundational statement of the covenant established between God and Israel. It signifies an exclusive, enduring, and reciprocal bond, promising His constant presence, provision, and protection. This affirmation of divine identity and ownership is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises.

Linguistic Insight

The title "the Lord GOD" (KJV) translates the Hebrew phrase Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה). Adonai signifies "Master" or "Lord," emphasizing God's sovereign authority and control. Yahweh (often rendered as LORD in all caps in the KJV) is God's personal covenant name, revealing His self-existent, unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises. The combination powerfully underscores both His absolute dominion and His steadfast commitment to His covenant people.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 34:31 offers profound comfort and a clear sense of identity:

  • Comfort in God's Personal Care: We are reminded that God views us as His cherished flock. He knows us individually, provides for our needs, and guides us through life's challenges. In moments of doubt or struggle, we can take solace in His unwavering pastoral care.
  • Identity as God's People: This verse affirms that we are not anonymous but are uniquely identified as God's own. This calls us to live lives that reflect His character and honor our special relationship with the Creator, recognizing that we are known and loved by Him.
  • Trust in the True Shepherd: The broader context of Ezekiel 34 points forward to the coming of the ultimate good Shepherd. Christians recognize this prophecy as fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. We are called to listen to His voice, follow His lead, and find our security in His eternal care.
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 100:3

    Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

  • John 10:16

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

  • Ezekiel 36:38

    As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 78:52

    But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

  • Psalms 80:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.

  • John 10:11

    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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