Ezekiel 34:18
Ezekiel 34:18 in Multiple Translations
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
Does it seem a small thing to you to have taken your food on good grass-land while the rest of your grass-land is stamped down under your feet? and that after drinking from clear waters you make the rest of the waters dirty with your feet?
Aren't you satisfied with feeding in good pasture? Do you have to trample down the rest of the pasture with your feet? Aren't you satisfied to drink the clear water? Do you have to muddy the rest of it with your feet?
Seemeth it a small thing vnto you to haue eaten vp the good pasture, but yee must treade downe with your feete the residue of your pasture? and to haue drunke of the deepe waters, but yee must trouble the residue with your feete?
Is it a little thing for you — the good pasture ye enjoy, And the remnant of your pasture ye tread down with your feet, And a depth of waters ye do drink, And the remainder with your feet ye trample,
Does it seem a small thing to you to have fed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? And to have drunk of the clear waters, but must you foul the residue with your feet?
Seemeth it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drank of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
Was it not enough for you to feed upon good pastures? but you must also tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures: and when you drank the dearest water, you troubled the rest with your feet.
It is bad that [RHQ] some of you keep the best pastures for yourselves. It is even worse that [RHQ] you trample the good grass with your feet. You yourselves drink the clear water [RHQ]. But with your feet you cause the other water to become muddy [RHQ].
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 34:18
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Ezekiel 34:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 34:18
Study Notes — Ezekiel 34:18
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 34:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 34:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 34:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
- Sermons on Ezekiel 34:18
Context — The Good Shepherd
18Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
19Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’ 20Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 23:13 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. |
| 2 | Luke 11:52 | Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” |
| 3 | Numbers 16:13 | Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? |
| 4 | Isaiah 7:13 | Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? |
| 5 | Ezekiel 34:2–3 | “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? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 7:19 | And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, You have also spoken about the future of the house of Your servant. Is this Your custom with man, O Lord GOD? |
| 7 | Numbers 16:9 | Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them? |
| 8 | Ezekiel 32:2 | “Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’ |
| 9 | Ezekiel 16:47 | And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 16:20 | You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? |
Ezekiel 34:18 Summary
Ezekiel 34:18 is asking if it's enough for us to just enjoy the good things God gives us, or if we also need to ruin or corrupt them. It's like God is saying, 'Can't you just be happy with what I've given you?' (as in Psalm 23:2). This verse reminds us to be content with what God provides and to consider how our actions might affect others, just as Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). By trusting in God's goodness and provision, we can learn to be satisfied with the 'good pasture' and 'clear waters' He gives us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'feed on the good pasture' in Ezekiel 34:18?
In this context, 'feeding on the good pasture' refers to enjoying the blessings and provisions of God, as seen in Psalm 23:2 where it says 'He makes me lie down in green pastures.'
Why does God ask if it is not enough to drink the clear waters?
God is emphasizing that His people should be content with the spiritual nourishment He provides, rather than seeking to corrupt or muddy it, much like the warning in Revelation 22:11 to not tamper with the purity of God's Word.
Is Ezekiel 34:18 talking about physical or spiritual things?
While the language used is literal, the spiritual application is what's most important, as Jesus teaches in John 6:35 that He is the bread of life and Living Water, satisfying our spiritual hunger and thirst.
How does this verse relate to our treatment of others?
This verse implies that our actions can affect others, just as the sheep's trampling and muddying affect the rest of the flock, reminding us to consider others as taught in Philippians 2:3-4, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways am I 'trampling the rest of the pasture' or 'muddying the clear waters' in my own life, and how can I change this?
- How can I be content with the 'good pasture' and 'clear waters' God has provided for me, and not seek to corrupt them?
- What are some ways I can make sure my actions are not harming or affecting others negatively, just like the sheep in the pasture?
- How does remembering that God is my Shepherd, as in Psalm 23, help me to trust in His provision and care for me?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 34:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 34:18
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:18
Sermons on Ezekiel 34:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 31-35 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of churches putting on entertaining programs to draw crowds instead of focusing on sound doctrine. He emphasizes that people with it |
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As for Me by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher references historical figures like Patrick Henry and Joshua from the Old Testament to emphasize the importance of making a firm decision to serve God. |
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It's Harvest Time by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of harvest time and how it relates to the current generation. He emphasizes that God knew the unique challenges this generation wo |
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Grain Offering - Leviticus 2 by Jacob Prasch | In this sermon, the speaker discusses his visit to the Airport Vineyard Church in Toronto and expresses his shock at the extreme and unscriptural practices he witnessed there. He e |
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(Basics) 59. Hypocrisy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the parable of the ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Externally, all ten virgins appeared the same, wearing white dresses and going |
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Reality Through the Cross by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of reality in the kingdom of God. He explains that simply preaching the word or having knowledge of the Bible is not enough. J |
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Parables of Jesus - 04 the Danger of Legalism by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the two sons from Matthew's Gospel. He emphasizes the importance of judging ourselves rather than others, as God will ultimate |






