Ezekiel 34:16 NIV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 34:16

Ezekiel 34:16. But I will destroy, &c.— Houbigant, after many of the versions, reads, I will preserve the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment: but the following verses, wherein a discrimination is made between the good and the bad, and the faults of the flock are reproved, seem to confirm our version. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 34:16

16. In contrast to the unfaithful shepherds (Ezekiel 34:4). The several duties neglected by them I will faithfully discharge. fat . . . strong—that is, those rendered wanton by prosperity (Deuteronomy 32:15; Jeremiah 5:28), who use their strength to oppress the weak. Compare Jeremiah 5:28- :, "the fat cattle" (Jeremiah 5:28- :). The image is from fat cattle that wax refractory. with judgment—that is, justice and equity, as contrasted with the "force" and "cruelty" with which the unfaithful... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 34:11-24

The Lord’s intervention for Israel 34:11-24"If any passage was at the heart of Ezekiel’s contribution to the ongoing promise [to Israel], it was Ezekiel 34:11-31 . . ." [Note: Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Toward an Old Testament Theology, p. 240.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezekiel 34:15-16

God Himself would feed His flock and lead the sheep to rest (cf. Ezekiel 34:3). He would seek the lost, return the scattered, heal the broken, and strengthen the sick (cf. Ezekiel 34:4; Ezekiel 34:6; Isaiah 61:1-2; Micah 2:12; Micah 4:6-8; Luke 4:16-21). He would also destroy the fat, strong shepherds who had failed Him by feeding these leaders judgment. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 34:1-31

The Good Shepherd of IsraelIn this chapter Israel is described as God’s flock. Its former kings were evil shepherds who sought their own selfish ends and were careless what became of the sheep. The flock had become the prey of wild beasts (the heathen nations). God would judge the evil shepherds and deliver the sheep from them. He would Himself be the Shepherd of His people, gathering the scattered and lost, caring for the sick and wounded, feeding the flock in security (Ezekiel 34:1-16). The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezekiel 34:16

(16) The fat and the strong.—While fatness is in general an emblem of prosperity, it is frequently used in Scripture, as here, for that prosperity which begets hardness of heart and forgetfulness of God. (See Deuteronomy 32:15; Acts 28:27, &c.)With judgment.—This does not mean, as the ambiguous sense of the English word might make it possible to suppose, with wisdom, but with righteousness and authority, as is plainly seen from the connection with the following verses. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ezekiel 34:1-31

Ezekiel 34:12 The keen sarcasms of Erasmus, the insolent buffoonery of Hutton, were lavished on the 'lovers of darkness' and of the cloister. In England Colet and More echoed with greater reserve the scorn and invective of their friends. As an outlet for religious enthusiasm, indeed, monasticism was practically dead. The friar, now that his fervour of devotion and his intellectual energy had passed away, had sunk into the mere beggar. The monks had become mere landowners. Most of their houses... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:1-31

THE MESSIANIC KINGDOMEzekiel 34:1-31The term "Messianic" as commonly applied to Old Testament prophecy bears two different senses, a wider and a narrower. In its wider use it is almost equivalent to the modern word "eschatological." It denotes that unquenchable hope of a glorious future for Israel and the world which is an all but omnipresent feature of the prophetic writings, and includes all predictions of the kingdom of God in its final and perfect manifestation. In its stricter sense it is... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezekiel 34:1-31

Ezekiel 34:1-19 . The shepherds of Israel were the kings and princes and all who had authority over them. The prophet Jeremiah had received a similar message Jeremiah 23:1-22 . These shepherds of Israel were responsible for the deplorable condition of the flock. Utterly selfish, they cared not for the sheep of His pasture; they feared not God nor did they have a heart for God’s people. The flock was scattered and spoiled. Such was the sad condition of the people Israel. And when the Lord Jesus... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ezekiel 34:16

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 {g} strong; I will feed them with {h} judgment.(g) Meaning such as lift up themselves above their brethren and think they have no need to be governed by me.(h) That is, by putting difference between the good and the bad, and so give to either as they deserve. read more