Ezekiel 34:18-19

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 34:18

Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture ,.... This is directed to the rams and he goats, to the people of power and wealth, or who had the key of knowledge and instruction; who, by their conduct, showed as if it was not enough for them to eat and drink the best of things themselves, to enjoy their wealth and riches, and keep their posts of honour and profit, and the revenues of them, in church and state: but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 34:19

And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet ,.... They are forced to do it, not being able to come at any thing else; being as sheep without a shepherd, or worse: and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet ; which, as it cannot be agreeable and relishing, so neither wholesome; as the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees; the traditions of the elders; the false doctrines of false teachers, whose words eat as do a canker. The Targum of the whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 34:18

Have eaten up the good pasture - Arrogate to yourselves all the promises of God, and will hardly permit the simple believer to claim or possess any token of God's favor. Ye must foul the residue with your feet? - Ye abuse God's mercies; you consume much upon yourselves, and ye spoil more, on which the poor would have been glad to feed. There are some who would rather give food to their sporting dogs than to the poor around them, who are ready to starve, and who would be glad of the... 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 34:18

Seemeth it: or, supply "Is it". you: i.e. ye goats. The verse goes on to describe the evil work of the goats in fouling the pastures of the sheep. There is a solemn application of this to the churches and congregations in the present day, your : i.e. the goats. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 34:18

18, 19. Not content with appropriating to their own use the goods of others, they from mere wantonness spoiled what they did not use, so as to be of no use to the owners. deep waters—that is, "limpid," as deep waters are generally clear. GROTIUS explains the image as referring to the usuries with which the rich ground the poor (Ezekiel 22:12; Isaiah 24:2). read more

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