Ezekiel 34:17 NIV

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 34:17

And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God ,.... Having done with the shepherds, and the complaint against them, the Lord proceeds to take notice of the flock, or the people themselves, and the evils that were among them; for in the Lord's own flock, in the nation and church of Israel, as now in the visible congregated churches of Christ, there were two sorts of persons, some good, others bad; some that behaved well, and others ill; some were sheep, and others goats: behold, I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 34:17

And as for you, O my flock - After having spoken to the shepherds, he now addresses the flock. I judge between cattle and cattle - Between false and true professors; between them that have only the form and them that have the power of godliness; between the backslider in heart and the upright man. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17

Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle . It may be worth while to note, as modern English usage tends to limit the range of the word, that it is commonly used in the Old Testament of sheep rather than of kine ( Genesis 30:34-42 ; Genesis 31:8-12 ). In Genesis 30:32 we have the same Hebrew word as that which Ezekiel uses. Between the rams and the he-goats . The words, at first, seem to point to a division like that of Matthew 25:32 , and may, perhaps, have suggested it. Here,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17

The flock divided. When the flock is found it is not all treated alike. The rough, horned cattle are separated from the gentle, helpless sheep. Israel was not to be restored to prosperity as a nation without discrimination. God would judge between the different characters of exiles. Judgment of individuals is here referred to. I. GOD DEALS WITH INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS WITH NATIONS . As there are national sins, so there are national punishments, and also national... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17-22

Social oppressions. The wisest men detect only some of the evils that blemish a nation; they are blind to more secret delinquencies. The Almighty Ruler detects every hidden iniquity, nor will he spare any form of sin. I. OBSERVE THE CONTAGION OF WICKEDNESS . The first part of the chapter reveals God's judgment upon evil rulers now is brought to light the wrong-doing of men in private and unofficial stations. The sins of pride and violence soon filter down from magnates to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17-22

The sinfulness of selfishness. It was not only the shepherds, but some of the sheep, of" the rams and the he-goats," that were injuring and robbing the sheep. It was not only the kings and the princes, but the strong and wealthy among the people of Israel, that were disturbing and distressing the land. It is not only those "who have the rule over" the Churches of Christ, but some of the fellow-members, who have to be corrected, and whose conduct needs to be transformed. Ezekiel's vision... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 34:17-19

Ezekiel 34:17 ; Ezekiel 34:19 . As for you, O my flock The prophet, having finished what he had to say to the shepherds, now delivers God’s message to the flock. God had before ordered him to speak tenderly to them, and to assure them of the mercy which he had in store for them. But now 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 would be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:1-31

Rulers past and future (34:1-31)The leaders of Israel, whether of the northern kingdom or the southern, were supposed to be shepherds, but instead of caring for the people they exploited them. Their sole concern was for themselves (34:1-4). Because of their neglect of the flock, the sheep were attacked and scattered. Because of the corruption of its leaders, Israel was destroyed by hostile nations and its people taken captive into foreign countries (5-6).God will therefore punish the shepherds,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 34:17

cattle and cattle : i.e. between the sheep and the goats: rams being the sheep, while the he-goats are set in contrast. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 34:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:17-22

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 34:17-19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:1-31

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 34:17

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