Ezekiel 34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 34

The iniquities and calamities of God's Israel had been largely and pathetically lamented before, in this book. Now in this chapter the shepherds of Israel, their rulers both in church and state, are called to an account, as having been very much accessory to the sin and ruin of Israel, by their neglecting to do the duty of their place. Here is, I. A high charge exhibited against them for their negligence, their unskillfulness, and unfaithfulness in the management of public affairs, Ezek.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 34:1-6

The prophecy of this chapter is not dated, nor any of those that follow it, till Ezek. 40:1-49 It is most probable that it was delivered after the completing of Jerusalem's destruction, when it would be very seasonable to enquire into the causes of it. I. The prophet is ordered to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel?the princes and magistrates, the priests and Levites, the great Sanhedrim or council of state, or whoever they were that had the direction of public affairs in a higher or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 34:7-16

Upon reading the foregoing articles of impeachment drawn up, in God's name, against the shepherds of Israel, we cannot but look upon the shepherds with a just indignation, and upon the flock with a tender compassion. God, by the prophet, here expresses both in a high degree; and the shepherds are called upon (Ezek. 34:7, 9) to hear the word of the Lord, to hear this word. Let them hear how little he regards them, who made much of themselves, and how much he regards the flock, which they made... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17-31

The prophet has no more to say to the shepherds, but he has now a message to deliver to the flock. God had ordered him to speak tenderly to them, and to assure them of the mercy he had in store for them. But here he is ordered to make a difference between some and others of them, to separate between the precious and the vile and then to give them a promise of the Messiah, by whom this distinction should be effectually made, partly at his first coming (for for judgment he came into this world,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 34 In the former chapter the prophet prophesies against the people of the Jews, both those of the captivity, and those who were not; and here against the shepherds of Israel. This he is bid to do, Ezekiel 34:1 , whose cruelty to the flock, negligence and unfaithfulness are exposed, Ezekiel 34:3 , for which reasons they are threatened to be deprived of their office, Ezekiel 34:7 , and the Lord promises to take the care of the flock upon himself, to seek out his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:1

The word of the Lord came unto me ,.... The date of this prophecy is not given; however, it seems to have been delivered after the destruction of Jerusalem; the causes of which are mentioned, the sins of the people and their governors, which the prophet is directed to expose: saying : as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:2

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel ,.... Or, "concerning" F16 על רועי "de pastoribus", V. L. Grotius; "super pastores", Pagninus, Montanus. them; the governors of them, as the Targum and Jarchi; their political governors, their kings, princes, and civil magistrates of every order and degree; so Kimchi interprets it of kings; and it was common with the eastern nations, and with the Greeks, to call kings shepherds; and one and the same word; in the Greek language,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:3

Ye eat the fat ,.... The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, render it, "the milk"; the words for fat and milk differ only in the points; and this was not unlawful, for who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? 1 Corinthians 9:7 , provided it was done with moderation, that they ate some, but not all; but these rulers milked their subjects too much, oppressed them with heavy taxes, and got their substance into their own hands. The Targum is, "ye eat... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:4

The diseased have ye not strengthened ,.... Such, in the civil polity, who were poor, and in necessitous circumstances, were not relieved; such who were injured and oppressed by others were not vindicated; and such as were forced to flee to other countries, or were carried captive, no care was taken, or methods used, to ransom them, and, bring them back; all which may be meant by this and the following metaphors, taken from the evil things that befall a flock of sheep: and such who were weak... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:5

And they were scattered because there is no shepherd ,.... No good one; there were shepherds, but they were idol shepherds, good for nothing, and it was all one as if there were none: so, in Christ's time, there were the Scribes and Pharisees; yet, since these did not feed the people with wholesome doctrine, they are said to be as sheep without a shepherd, and scattered abroad, as here from the fold, and from one another; dispersed here and there, seeking food, and none, which moved his... read more

Group of Brands