Ezekiel 34:4

KJV

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

KJV (with Strong's)

The diseased {H2470} have ye not strengthened {H2388}, neither have ye healed {H7495} that which was sick {H2470}, neither have ye bound up {H2280} that which was broken {H7665}, neither have ye brought again {H7725} that which was driven away {H5080}, neither have ye sought {H1245} that which was lost {H6}; but with force {H2394} and with cruelty {H6531} have ye ruled {H7287} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

You don't strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bandage the broken, bring back the outcasts or seek the lost; on the contrary, you tyrannize them with crushing force.

Berean Standard Bible

You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

American Standard Version

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 34:4 delivers a powerful divine indictment against the corrupt leaders of Israel, metaphorically portrayed as negligent shepherds. It meticulously details their comprehensive failure to provide essential care for God's flock—the vulnerable, sick, broken, scattered, and lost members of the community. Far from nurturing and protecting, these leaders are condemned for actively ruling with oppressive force and cruelty, prioritizing their own gain over the spiritual and physical well-being of the people entrusted to their charge. This verse serves as a stark accusation, setting the stage for God's subsequent promise to intervene and shepherd His people Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal component of Ezekiel's profound prophecy in [Ezekiel chapter 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Prophecy Against the Shepherds"), which commences with a direct divine indictment against the "shepherds of Israel" (v. 2). The preceding verses establish the leaders' self-serving nature, highlighting how they consumed the fat and clothed themselves with the wool, but failed to feed the flock. Verse 4 then provides a detailed, comprehensive list of their specific failures in pastoral care, serving as a comprehensive charge sheet against their dereliction of duty. This detailed condemnation forms the necessary backdrop for the subsequent verses (e.g., [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11-16 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God's Promise to Shepherd His People")), where God dramatically promises to take on the role of the true Shepherd, rescuing, gathering, and caring for His sheep, directly contrasting the egregious failures outlined in [Ezekiel 34:4](/ezekiel/34-4 "Ezekiel 34:4 - Condemnation of Negligent Shepherds"). The chapter culminates in the promise of a Davidic shepherd, foreshadowing the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during the traumatic period of the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a time of immense national upheaval and despair for Judah. The "shepherds" refer to the entire spectrum of Israel's leadership—kings, priests, prophets, and elders—who were divinely appointed to guide and care for the nation. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the metaphor of a king or leader as a shepherd was deeply ingrained and widely understood, signifying protection, provision, and benevolent guidance for the people. This imagery would have resonated powerfully with Ezekiel's audience. The failure of these leaders was seen as a direct cause of the nation's spiritual decay, social injustice, and eventual exile, as they had led the people astray and failed to uphold righteousness, mirroring the corrupt leadership condemned in other prophetic books like [Jeremiah chapter 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Prophecy Against False Shepherds").
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 34:4](/ezekiel/34-4 "Ezekiel 34:4 - Condemnation of Negligent Shepherds") contributes significantly to several foundational themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Responsibility of Leadership**, emphasizing that those in authority are divinely appointed stewards of God's people and are held strictly accountable for their care, not their exploitation. The detailed list of failures highlights the profound importance of **Compassionate Pastoral Care** for the vulnerable, sick, and marginalized, a core attribute of God's character. Secondly, the verse vividly portrays the devastating consequences of **Abusive and Self-Serving Rule**, where power is wielded for personal gain rather than the common good, leading directly to the scattering, suffering, and spiritual decline of the flock. Finally, this verse implicitly yet powerfully sets the stage for the overarching theme of **God's Divine Intervention and True Shepherdship**, as the catastrophic failures of human leaders necessitate God's direct, redemptive action to restore, gather, and care for His people, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah as the Good Shepherd.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **strengthened (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** A primitive root meaning "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer." In this context, it signifies the failure to provide stability, support, and encouragement to those who were weak, struggling, or vulnerable, both physically and spiritually. The leaders allowed the feeble to remain unfortified.
* **sought (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** A primitive root meaning "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for)." This term denotes an active, diligent, and earnest search, implying a proactive pursuit to find and restore what is missing or lost. The leaders showed no such initiative, allowing the lost to remain astray and unrecovered.
* **ruled (Hebrew, _râdâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off; (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take." While it can denote legitimate governance, in this context, coupled with "force and cruelty," it highlights a tyrannical, oppressive, and exploitative exercise of authority, rather than nurturing or protective leadership. They dominated the flock instead of serving it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick":** This opening clause highlights the leaders' profound failure to address the physical, spiritual, and moral infirmities within the flock. They neglected to provide the necessary support, stability, or restorative care to those weakened by illness or spiritual malaise, allowing them to languish.
* **"neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken":** This refers to the leaders' dereliction in mending, comforting, or providing solace to those who were injured, traumatized, or spiritually crushed. They failed to offer healing and restoration to the deeply wounded members of the community, leaving them in their broken state.
* **"neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost":** This dual indictment emphasizes the leaders' complete lack of effort in recovering those who had strayed, been scattered by adversity, or were in danger of being permanently alienated. They did not actively pursue or restore the wandering and missing members of the flock, allowing them to remain separated and vulnerable.
* **"but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them":** This final, damning clause provides a stark and tragic contrast to their negligence. Instead of compassionate and restorative care, their leadership was characterized by harshness, oppression, and a tyrannical exercise of power, demonstrating a complete inversion of their divinely appointed role as shepherds. They exploited the flock for personal gain rather than serving its needs.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 34:4 employs several potent literary devices to amplify its message of condemnation against Israel's negligent leaders. The most striking is **Anaphora**, the deliberate repetition of the negative phrase "neither have ye..." at the beginning of successive clauses. This creates a powerful, rhythmic, and cumulative effect, underscoring the comprehensive and relentless nature of the leaders' failures. The entire verse is built upon an extended **Metaphor**, where the leaders of Israel are vividly depicted as "shepherds" and the people as the "flock." This metaphor inherently establishes the expected duties of care, protection, provision, and guidance, which are then starkly contrasted with the actual abusive and neglectful behavior. The verse also employs a strong **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, setting the divinely expected actions of a good shepherd (strengthening, healing, binding, bringing back, seeking) against the actual, destructive actions of these corrupt leaders (ruling with force and cruelty). This sharp juxtaposition dramatically amplifies the severity of their dereliction of duty and the injustice of their rule.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 34:4 stands as a profound theological statement concerning the nature of true leadership and God's unwavering heart for His people. It unequivocally reveals that God holds leaders accountable for the holistic well-being of those under their care, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized. The detailed litany of failures—neglecting the diseased, sick, broken, driven away, and lost—are not merely administrative oversights but profound moral, ethical, and spiritual betrayals. This verse powerfully underscores a divine expectation for compassionate, restorative, and proactive leadership that actively seeks to heal, gather, and protect, rather than exploit or oppress. It highlights the inherent dignity and immense value God places on every member of His flock, particularly those in distress, and foreshadows the desperate need for a perfect Shepherd to fulfill these unmet needs, a theme that resonates throughout biblical prophecy.

* [Jeremiah 23:1-2](/jeremiah/23-1-2 "Jeremiah 23:1-2 - Woe to the Shepherds Who Destroy")
* [Zechariah 11:15-17](/zechariah/11-15-17 "Zechariah 11:15-17 - The Worthless Shepherd")
* [1 Peter 5:2-3](/1_peter/5-2-3 "1 Peter 5:2-3 - Shepherding the Flock of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 34:4 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for all forms of leadership, whether within the church, government, community organizations, or even in our families. It challenges us to critically examine whether our influence is consistently used for selfless service and genuine care or if it subtly veers towards personal gain, control, or indifference. For those in positions of authority, it is a sobering reminder that true, God-honoring leadership is defined not by the exercise of raw power or administrative efficiency, but by active compassion, diligent pursuit of the lost, and tender restoration of the broken. For every believer, this verse calls us to embody the heart of a true shepherd in our own spheres of influence, actively seeking out and ministering to the vulnerable, the hurting, and the marginalized around us. It prompts us to honestly ask ourselves: Are we strengthening the weak, healing the sick, binding up the broken, bringing back the strayed, and seeking the lost in our own communities, thereby reflecting God's own compassionate character?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I, or leaders I observe, be failing to "strengthen the diseased" or "heal the sick" in our spheres of influence today?**
* **How can I actively "seek that which was lost" or "bring again that which was driven away" in my personal relationships, church, or broader community?**
* **What does it truly mean to rule "with force and with cruelty" in a modern context, and how can I diligently guard against such tendencies in myself or others?**
* **How does this verse profoundly challenge my current understanding of what true, God-honoring leadership looks like in practice?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "shepherd" metaphor in Ezekiel 34?**

Answer: The "shepherd" metaphor is profoundly significant, drawing on a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of kings and leaders as shepherds of their people. It represents the divinely appointed role of protection, provision, guidance, and compassionate care for the flock. In [Ezekiel chapter 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - The Prophecy Against the Shepherds"), God masterfully uses this metaphor to highlight the severe dereliction of duty by Israel's human leaders, who, instead of nurturing the flock, exploited and scattered it. This sets up the dramatic and redemptive contrast with God's promise to become the true, good Shepherd Himself, fulfilling all the responsibilities that human leaders failed to uphold, and ultimately pointing to the Messiah.

**How does Ezekiel 34:4 relate to the broader theme of justice in the Old Testament?**

Answer: [Ezekiel 34:4](/ezekiel/34-4 "Ezekiel 34:4 - Condemnation of Negligent Shepherds") is a powerful and poignant expression of Old Testament justice, which is deeply concerned with the welfare of the vulnerable and the accountability of those in power. The verse condemns the leaders not only for their passive neglect of the weak, sick, and lost but also for their active injustice through oppressive rule. This aligns perfectly with prophetic calls for social justice found throughout the Old Testament, where God consistently champions the cause of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, and holds leaders responsible for upholding righteousness and equity (e.g., [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters")). It demonstrates that divine justice is not merely about legal rectitude but fundamentally about compassionate care and equitable treatment for all members of society, especially those who are most vulnerable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 34:4, with its stark and damning portrayal of failed human leadership, powerfully anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ as the true, ultimate, and perfect Shepherd. The very failures of Israel's "shepherds"—their neglect of the diseased, sick, broken, driven away, and lost, coupled with their oppressive rule—underscore the desperate, profound need for a divine intervention. Jesus perfectly fulfills the role of the Good Shepherd, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23-24 "Ezekiel 34:23-24 - God's Promise of One Shepherd, David"). He declares Himself the [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), actively seeking the lost ([Luke 15:4-7](/luke/15-4-7 "Luke 15:4-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep")), healing the sick and brokenhearted ([Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Heals Many")), and gathering those who were scattered ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). Unlike the self-serving rulers who ruled with "force and cruelty," Christ leads with gentle, sacrificial authority and boundless love, demonstrating the perfect, compassionate care that God always intended for His flock. His entire ministry is the complete antithesis of the failures condemned in [Ezekiel 34:4](/ezekiel/34-4 "Ezekiel 34:4 - Condemnation of Negligent Shepherds"), providing ultimate healing, restoration, and eternal security for His sheep.

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

Matthew 18:12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Matthew 18:13

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Ezekiel 34:16

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 10:6

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Zechariah 11:15

¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

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.