Ezekiel 34:2-3 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 34:3

Ye eat the fat . The LXX . and the Vulgate, following a different reading, give milk , and, as "killing" comes in the next clause, this is probably preferable. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 34:2

Shepherds - Not priests or prophets, but rulers and kings (see the Jeremiah 2:8 note). The most ancient title for “ruler” is a monogram which occurs on the oldest monuments discovered in the cuneiform character. In the Assyrian language it became riu (compare Hebrew רעה râ‛âh =shepherd). In the traditions of Berosus we find that Alorus, the first king in the world, received from the Divinity the title of Shepherd. The title, as well as the monogram, was preserved to the latest times of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 34:2

Ezekiel 34:2. Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel The word shepherd, in the prophetical writings, comprehends both civil and ecclesiastical governors. See notes on Isaiah 56:11; Jeremiah 2:8. Other writers also use the same expression; princes being called shepherds of their people, as well as those who have the immediate care of their souls: see Psalms 78:71-72. Thus Homer calls Agamemnon, Ποιμεναλαων , the shepherd of the people. And as the threatenings here denounced extend to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 34:3-4

Ezekiel 34:3-4. Ye eat the fat Or, the milk, as the LXX. render it. The Hebrew words chalab, milk, and cheleb, fat, differ only in their points, so that the ancient versions take them promiscuously one for the other. These shepherds of the Lord’s flock, these civil and ecclesiastical rulers of the people, used their power over them, and exercised their offices, merely for their temporal advantage and emolument. “They exacted their tribute and taxes, their tithes and perquisites, with... 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 34:2

Son of man . See note on Ezekiel 2:1 . shepherds = rulers. the Lord GOD . Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See note on Ezekiel 2:4 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezekiel 34:3

kill = kill for sacrifice, and eating. Hebrew. zaback . App-48 . them that are fed = the fat ewe. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 34:2

Ezekiel 34:2. Against the shepherds of Israel— Hereby are meant the priests, the Levites, and teachers of the law; the kings, princes, magistrates, and judges; the prophet gives them here excellent instructions; shewing them, under the parable of the shepherds, what was their duty, and wherein they had fallen short. The metaphorical expressions are all plain, and easily applicable to the shepherds of the people above-mentioned. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 34:3

Ezekiel 34:3. The fat— The milk. Houbigant; with all the versions. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 34:2

2. Jeremiah 23:1; Zechariah 11:17 similarly make the removal of the false shepherds the preliminary to the interposition of Messiah the Good Shepherd in behalf of His people Israel. The "shepherds" are not prophets or priests, but rulers who sought in their government their own selfish ends, not the good of the people ruled. The term was appropriate, as David, the first king and the type of the true David (Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 34:24), was taken from being a shepherd (2 Samuel 5:2; Psalms... read more