Ezekiel 34:1
Ezekiel 34:1 in Multiple Translations
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
A message from the Lord came to me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,
And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,
The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Yahweh gave me another message. He said,
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 34:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 34:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֥י
דְבַר
יְהוָ֖ה
אֵלַ֥/י
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 34:1
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
דְבַר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֵלַ֥/י
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 34:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Prophecy against Israel’s Shepherds
1Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? 3You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.Ezekiel 34:1 Summary
[Ezekiel 34:1 tells us that God spoke directly to the prophet Ezekiel, giving him a message to share with the people of Israel. This shows us that God wants to communicate with us and guide us, just like He did with Ezekiel. In simple terms, God is saying, 'I have a message for you, and I want you to listen and obey.' This is similar to what we see in Exodus 20:1-2, where God speaks to the Israelites and gives them His commandments. By listening to God's word, we can learn to trust and follow Him, just like Ezekiel did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'the word of the LORD came to me' in Ezekiel 34:1?
This phrase indicates that Ezekiel is receiving a direct message from God, similar to other prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, as seen in Isaiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 1:4, where they also received the word of the Lord to proclaim to the people.
Why is it important that Ezekiel is addressed as 'son of man'?
The term 'son of man' is a title used by God to address Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a messenger of God, as seen in Ezekiel 2:1 and Daniel 8:17, where it is used to convey a sense of humility and obedience to God's will.
What is the context of Ezekiel 34:1 in relation to the rest of the chapter?
Ezekiel 34:1 sets the stage for God's message of judgment against the shepherds of Israel, who have failed to care for their flock, as seen in Ezekiel 34:2-3, where God condemns their selfish actions and neglect of the people.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's relationship with His people?
Ezekiel 34:1 highlights God's desire to communicate with and guide His people, as seen in Exodus 20:1-2 and Deuteronomy 5:4-5, where God speaks directly to the Israelites, emphasizing His love and concern for their well-being.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to receive a word from the Lord, and how can we be open to hearing God's voice in our own lives?
- How does Ezekiel's role as a prophet relate to our own calling to share God's message with others, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Timothy 4:2?
- What are some ways we can apply the principle of humility and obedience, as demonstrated by Ezekiel's response to God's call, to our own lives and relationships?
- How can we balance our own needs and desires with the responsibility to care for and serve others, as seen in Ezekiel 34:2-3 and Matthew 25:31-46?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:1
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Having in Ezekiel 33:1-33 laid down repentance as the necessary preliminary to happier times for the people, he now promises the removal of the false
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1
Ezekiel 34:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ver. 1. And the word.] See Ezekiel 18:1.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1
CHAPTER XXXIV The prophet is commanded to declare the dreadful judgments of God against the covetous shepherds of Israel, who feed themselves, and not their flocks; by which emblem the priests and Levites are intended, who in Ezekiel's time were very corrupt, and the chief cause of Israel's apostasy and ruin, 1-10. From this gloomy subject the prophet passes to the blessedness of the true Israel of God under the reign of DAVID, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ being named after this prince by a figure exceedingly frequent in the sacred oracles, of putting the type for the antitype, 11-31. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXIV
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 34:1
The prophet has yet to pronounce a judgment upon unfaithful rulers, whose punishment will further the good of those whom they have misguided.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:1
1-10. The shepherds of the people, instead of feeding the flock, were feeding upon the flock, eating the fat (LXX., milk), and living in ease and luxury, while “my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:5, LXX.) were