Ezekiel 34:4

Ezekiel 34:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

King James Version KJV

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

American Standard Version ASV

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them.

Bible in Basic English BBE

You have not made the diseased ones strong or made well that which was ill; you have not put bands on the broken or got back that which had been sent away or made search for the wandering ones; and the strong you have been ruling cruelly.

Free Bible Version FBV

You haven't taken care of the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought home the strays, or looked for the lost. On the contrary, you ruled them using violence and cruelty.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The weake haue ye not strengthened: the sicke haue ye not healed, neither haue ye bounde vp the broken, nor brought againe that which was driuen away, neither haue yee sought that which was lost, but with crueltie, and with rigour haue yee ruled them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

The weak ye have not strengthened, And the sick one ye have not healed, And the broken ye have not bound up, And the driven away have not brought back, And the lost ye have not sought, And with might ye have ruled them and with rigour.

World English Bible WEB

You haven’t strengthened the diseased. You haven’t healed that which was sick. You haven’t bound up that which was broken. You haven’t brought back that which was driven away. You haven’t sought that which was lost, but you have ruled over them with force and with rigor.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The diseased ye have not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The weak you have not strengthened, and that which was sick you have not healed, that which was broken you have not bound up, and that which was driven away you have not brought again, neither have you sought that which was lost: but you ruled over them with rigour, and with a high hand.

Translation for Translators T4T

You have not enabled those who are weak to become strong. You have not healed those who were sick. You have not bandaged those who were wounded/injured. You have not brought back those who went astray. You have not searched for those who became lost. You have ruled your people harshly and cruelly.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 34:4

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 34:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אֶֽת הַ/נַּחְלוֹת֩ לֹ֨א חִזַּקְתֶּ֜ם וְ/אֶת הַ/חוֹלָ֣ה לֹֽא רִפֵּאתֶ֗ם וְ/לַ/נִּשְׁבֶּ֨רֶת֙ לֹ֣א חֲבַשְׁתֶּ֔ם וְ/אֶת הַ/נִּדַּ֨חַת֙ לֹ֣א הֲשֵׁבֹתֶ֔ם וְ/אֶת הָ/אֹבֶ֖דֶת לֹ֣א בִקַּשְׁתֶּ֑ם וּ/בְ/חָזְקָ֛ה רְדִיתֶ֥ם אֹתָ֖/ם וּ/בְ/פָֽרֶךְ

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הַ/נַּחְלוֹת֩ châlâh H2470 be weak Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c

לֹ֨א lôʼ H3808 not Part

חִזַּקְתֶּ֜ם châzaq H2388 to strengthen V-Piel-Perf-2mp

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

הַ/חוֹלָ֣ה châlâh H2470 be weak Art | V-Qal

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

רִפֵּאתֶ֗ם râphâʼ H7495 to heal V-Piel-Perf-2mp

וְ/לַ/נִּשְׁבֶּ֨רֶת֙ shâbar H7665 to break Conj | Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

חֲבַשְׁתֶּ֔ם châbash H2280 to saddle/tie V-Qal-Perf-2mp

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

הַ/נִּדַּ֨חַת֙ nâdach H5080 to banish Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

הֲשֵׁבֹתֶ֔ם shûwb H7725 to return V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

הָ/אֹבֶ֖דֶת ʼâbad H6 to perish Art | V-Qal

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

בִקַּשְׁתֶּ֑ם bâqash H1245 to seek V-Piel-Perf-2mp

וּ/בְ/חָזְקָ֛ה chozqâh H2394 force Conj | Prep | N-fs

רְדִיתֶ֥ם râdâh H7287 to rule V-Qal-Perf-2mp

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff

וּ/בְ/פָֽרֶךְ perek H6531 severity Conj | Prep | N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 34:4

אֶֽת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/נַּחְלוֹת֩ châlâh H2470 "be weak" Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c

To beg or entreat means to ask or pray for something, often with a sense of weakness or sickness, like when someone is grieving or in pain.

Definition: : weak/disabled 1) to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry 1a) (Qal) to be weak, be sick 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to be or become weak, feel weak 1b2) to become sick, become ill 1c) (Niphal) 1c1) to make oneself sick 1c2) to be made sick 1c3) to be tired 1d) (Pual) to be made weak, become weak 1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself sick 1f) (Hiphil) 1f1) to make sore 1f2) to make sick 1f3) to show signs of sickness, become sick 1f4) to grieve 1g) (Hophal) 1g1) to be made sick 1g2) to be wounded

Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, [idiom] pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit ([idiom] supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded. See also: Genesis 48:1; Psalms 119:58; Psalms 35:13.

לֹ֨א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

חִזַּקְתֶּ֜ם châzaq H2388 "to strengthen" V-Piel-Perf-2mp

To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with

Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/חוֹלָ֣ה châlâh H2470 "be weak" Art | V-Qal

To beg or entreat means to ask or pray for something, often with a sense of weakness or sickness, like when someone is grieving or in pain.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

רִפֵּאתֶ֗ם râphâʼ H7495 "to heal" V-Piel-Perf-2mp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to heal or mend, often referring to God's power to cure physical or emotional hurts, as seen in Psalm 103:3.

Definition: 1) to heal, make healthful 1a) (Qal) to heal 1a1) of God 1a2) healer, physician (of men) 1a3) of hurts of nations involving restored favour (fig) 1a4) of individual distresses (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be healed 1b1) literal (of persons) 1b2) of water, pottery 1b3) of national hurts (fig) 1b4) of personal distress (fig) 1c) (Piel) to heal 1c1) literal 1c2) of national defects or hurts (fig) 1d) (Hithpael) in order to get healed (infinitive)

Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, [idiom] thoroughly, make whole. See H7503 (רָפָה). See also: Genesis 20:17; Psalms 107:20; Psalms 6:3.

וְ/לַ/נִּשְׁבֶּ֨רֶת֙ shâbar H7665 "to break" Conj | Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-c

This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.

Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)

Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

חֲבַשְׁתֶּ֔ם châbash H2280 "to saddle/tie" V-Qal-Perf-2mp

This verb means to tie or bind something firmly, like a turban or a saddle. It is also used figuratively to mean stopping or ruling something. In 1 Kings 20:12, it describes the binding of a wound.

Definition: 1) to tie, bind, bind on, bind up, saddle, restrain, bandage, govern 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind, bind on 1a2) to bind up 1b) (Piel) to bind, restrain 1c) (Pual) to be bound up

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about. See also: Genesis 22:3; Job 34:17; Psalms 147:3.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/נִּדַּ֨חַת֙ nâdach H5080 "to banish" Art | V-Niphal-Inf-c

To banish or drive away, used in various contexts, such as expelling someone from a community, as seen in the story of David and Absalom.

Definition: 1) to impel, thrust, drive away, banish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to impel 1a2) to thrust away, banish 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be impelled 1b2) to be thrust out, be banished 1b2a) banished, outcast (participle) 1b3) to be driven away 1b4) to be thrust away, thrust aside 1c) (Pual) to be thrust into 1c1) thrust (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to thrust, move, impel 1d2) to thrust out, banish 1d3) to thrust away, thrust aside 1e) (Hophal) to be chased, be hunted 1e1) chased, hunted (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 51 OT verses. KJV: banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw. See also: Deuteronomy 4:19; Isaiah 27:13; Psalms 5:11.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

הֲשֵׁבֹתֶ֔ם shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Hiphil-Perf-2mp

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָ/אֹבֶ֖דֶת ʼâbad H6 "to perish" Art | V-Qal

To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.

Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

בִקַּשְׁתֶּ֑ם bâqash H1245 "to seek" V-Piel-Perf-2mp

This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.

Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought

Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.

וּ/בְ/חָזְקָ֛ה chozqâh H2394 "force" Conj | Prep | N-fs

This word means force or violence, like in Isaiah 58:4 where it describes a bad kind of strength. It's used to describe someone who uses their power in a hurtful way.

Definition: force, might, strength, violence

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: force, mightily, repair, sharply. See also: Judges 4:3; 2 Kings 12:13; Jonah 3:8.

רְדִיתֶ֥ם râdâh H7287 "to rule" V-Qal-Perf-2mp

This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.

Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate

Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Chronicles 8:10; Psalms 49:15.

אֹתָ֖/ם ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

וּ/בְ/פָֽרֶךְ perek H6531 "severity" Conj | Prep | N-ms

This Hebrew word means severity or harshness, like cruelty or rigor. It describes something or someone that is strict or unyielding. In the Bible, it is used to convey a sense of intensity or sternness.

Definition: harshness, severity, cruelty

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: cruelty, rigour. See also: Exodus 1:13; Leviticus 25:46; Ezekiel 34:4.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 34:4

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Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 34:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 34:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 34:4
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4
Sermons on Ezekiel 34:4

Context — A Prophecy against Israel’s Shepherds

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.

4You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

5They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. 6My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 18:12–13	What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
2	Matthew 9:36	When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
3	Ezekiel 34:16	I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
4	Matthew 10:6	Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
5	Zechariah 11:15–16	And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.
6	1 Peter 5:2–3	Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
7	Exodus 1:13–14	They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.
8	Hebrews 12:12	Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
9	Revelation 17:5–6	And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
10	Jeremiah 8:22	Is there no balm in Gilead? Is no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?

Ezekiel 34:4 Summary

[Ezekiel 34:4 is talking about how some leaders, called shepherds, have not taken good care of the people they are supposed to be helping. They haven't made the weak people stronger, or helped the sick people get better, as we see in Matthew 9:35-36. Instead, they have been mean and hurtful to them, which is the opposite of what Jesus taught in Matthew 20:26-28. We can learn from this verse by remembering to always try to be kind and helpful to those around us, especially those who are struggling, just like Jesus showed us in Luke 10:25-37.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'strengthen the weak' in Ezekiel 34:4?

To strengthen the weak means to support and care for those who are vulnerable, as seen in Psalms 41:1, where the Psalmist writes about considering the poor. This is a key aspect of shepherding, as Jesus demonstrated in Matthew 25:31-46.

How does ruling with 'violence and cruelty' relate to the shepherds' responsibilities?

Ruling with violence and cruelty is the opposite of the gentle care that shepherds should provide, as described in Ezekiel 34:4. Instead of protecting and guiding their flock, these shepherds have used their power to harm and exploit them, much like the wicked shepherds in Zechariah 11:15-17.

What is the significance of 'binding up the injured' in this verse?

Binding up the injured refers to the act of healing and restoring those who have been hurt, as seen in Psalms 147:3, where God binds up the brokenhearted. This is a crucial part of a shepherd's role, as they should provide comfort and restoration to their flock, just as Jesus did in Luke 4:18-19.

How can we apply Ezekiel 34:4 to our own lives as leaders or caregivers?

We can apply this verse by recognizing the importance of caring for those who are vulnerable or struggling, and seeking to provide gentle guidance and support, as seen in Galatians 6:2, where we are called to bear one another's burdens.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can 'strengthen the weak' in my own community or relationships?
How can I ensure that I am not 'ruling with violence and cruelty' in my interactions with others, but instead providing gentle care and guidance?
What are some 'injuries' or areas of hurt that I can help 'bind up' in the lives of those around me?
How can I prioritize the well-being and care of those who are vulnerable or struggling, just as a good shepherd would?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 34:4

The diseased have ye not strengthened,.... Such, in the civil polity, who were poor, and in necessitous circumstances, were not relieved; such who were injured and oppressed by others were not

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:4

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4

The weak and languishing, ( such there are in the church and state,) with your hand, countenance, and counsel; so these metaphorical shepherds should as the other strengthen their sheep, with carrying them into good and quiet pastures. The sheep in our pastures are subject to many sicknesses, the sheep in church and state to more, and shepherds in both should be as physicians to heal them; but here these did not so. Sometimes violent and ravenous beasts break their bones, sometimes the stronger and fatter sheep bruise or break them, these should the shepherds bind up; violent oppressors in the state and in the church broke many of them, but these shepherds bound them not up. Sheep are often driven out of the pasture, frighted, hunted, and pursued by dogs, or other mischievous creatures; these the shepherd should find out, and bring back: in church and state there were many such, frighted and driven by fierce men like dogs running upon them, but the Jewish rulers took no care to inquire for them, or to bring them back to their own. country. Sheep wander and lose themselves, shepherds should seek such and bring them home; many political sheep among the Jews wandered from their country, their king, religion, and God, and these careless rulers never sought them, but ruled them with hard hand, that held fast all that should look like royal power and privilege, and rigorously executed all their grievous laws and edicts. With cruelty, such as the Egyptians used toward the Jews, ,14; instead of acting like shepherds, these tyrants in the Jewish polity acted like merciless butchers in church and state.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4

Ezekiel 34:4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.Ver. 4. The diseased have ye not strengthened.] Five sorts of sheep are here reckoned up that needed the shepherd’ s best care and cure, but nothing was done; or, if anything, it was overdone, for with force and cruelty they ruled over them. See 1 Peter 5:3.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4

Verse 4. The diseased have ye not strengthened] No person is fit for the office of a shepherd, who does not well understand the diseases to which sheep are incident, and the mode of cure. And is any man fit for the pastoral office, or to be a shepherd of souls, who is not well acquainted with the disease of sin in all its varieties, and the remedy for this disease, and the proper mode of administering it, in those various cases? He who does not know Jesus Christ as his own Saviour, never can recommend him to others. He who is not saved, will not save. Neither have ye healed that which was sick] The prophet first speaks of the general disease; next, of the different kinds of spiritual infirmity. Neither have ye bound up that which was broken] If a sheep have broken a leg, a proper shepherd knows how to set the bones, and splint and bind it till the bones knit and become strong. And the skilful spiritual pastor knows, if one of the flock be overtaken in a fault, how to restore such. Those sudden falls, where there was not a strong propensity to sin, are, to the soul, as a broken bone to the body. Neither have ye brought again] A proper shepherd loves his sheep: he feels interested for their welfare; he acquaints himself with them all, so that he knows and can distinguish each. He knows also their number, and frequently counts to see that none is missing; if one be lost or strayed, he goes immediately and seeks it; and as he is constantly on the watch, it cannot have strayed far before he is apprised of its absence from the flock; and the less it has strayed, the sooner it is found and brought back to the fold. The shepherds of Israel knew nothing about their flock; they might have been diseased, infirm, bruised, maimed, their limbs broken, strayed, and lost; for they watched not over them. When they got fat sheep and wool for their table and their clothing, they regarded nothing else; as they considered the flock given them for their own use, and scarcely ever supposed that they were to give any thing in return for the milk and the wool. But with force and with cruelty] Exacting tithes and dues by the strong arm of the law, with the most ungodly feeling; and with a cruelty of disposition that proved it was the fat and the wool they sought, and not the safety or comfort of the flock.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 34:4

4. Five classes are here mentioned, in Ezekiel 34:16 only four, the “diseased” being wanting, and “strengthen” used here of the diseased is said there of the sick. The “broken” is the hurt or bruised; the “lost” that which has wandered away of itself, in distinction from that “driven away” by violence.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:4

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

Sermons on Ezekiel 34:4

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	New Years' Address, January 1853 by J.C. Philpot	J.C. Philpot delivers a powerful sermon reflecting on the state of the church amidst worldly progress and material prosperity, questioning the lack of vital godliness and grace des
	(1 Peter - Part 34): Casting All Your Cares Upon Him by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the presence of various challenges and hardships in the world, such as illness, accidents, loss of jobs, betrayals, separations, bereavements
	The Best Is Yet to Come by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, Peter emphasizes the theme of glory and the wonderful future that awaits Christians. He highlights the importance of serving and being faithful in one's role within
	The Voice of God's Love by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of revelation and how it relates to our understanding of the human condition. He acknowledges that we already know that the creati
	Ecumenical Movement by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being conscious of Christ's presence in our lives. He encourages the congregation to become Christ-conscious and church-lo