Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
Original Language Analysis
רֹעֶ֨ה
As a shepherd
H7462
רֹעֶ֨ה
As a shepherd
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
2 of 22
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הֱיוֹת֤וֹ
H1961
הֱיוֹת֤וֹ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְתוֹךְ
that he is among
H8432
בְתוֹךְ
that he is among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
6 of 22
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
צֹאנִ֑י
his sheep
H6629
צֹאנִ֑י
his sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
7 of 22
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
נִפְרָשׁ֔וֹת
that are scattered
H6567
נִפְרָשׁ֔וֹת
that are scattered
Strong's:
H6567
Word #:
8 of 22
to separate, literally (to disperse) or figuratively (to specify); also (by implication) to wound
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֲבַקֵּ֣ר
so will I seek out
H1239
אֲבַקֵּ֣ר
so will I seek out
Strong's:
H1239
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e., (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צֹאנִ֑י
his sheep
H6629
צֹאנִ֑י
his sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
12 of 22
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְהִצַּלְתִּ֣י
and will deliver
H5337
וְהִצַּלְתִּ֣י
and will deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
13 of 22
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶתְהֶ֗ם
H853
אֶתְהֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּקוֹמֹת֙
them out of all places
H4725
הַמְּקוֹמֹת֙
them out of all places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָפֹ֣צוּ
where they have been scattered
H6327
נָפֹ֣צוּ
where they have been scattered
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
18 of 22
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
20 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Ezekiel 30:3For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.Jeremiah 31:10Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.Zephaniah 1:15That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Historical Context
The Babylonian exile (586 BC) scattered Judah across Mesopotamia—the "cloudy and dark day" of divine judgment. God promises to reverse this scattering, partially fulfilled through Cyrus's decree (539 BC) allowing return. However, most Jews remained in dispersion, and even the return was incomplete. Full fulfillment awaits Christ's gathering of the elect from every nation (Matthew 24:31). The passage bridges Old Testament restoration promises and New Testament elect gathering, demonstrating covenant continuity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to seek scattered sheep comfort believers in times of spiritual darkness?
- What is the relationship between Old Testament restoration from exile and New Testament elect gathering?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." God promises to gather scattered Israel from exile. The phrase "cloudy and dark day" describes judgment and dispersion. But God doesn't leave His people scattered—He actively seeks and restores them. This anticipates both the return from Babylon and the ultimate gathering of elect from all nations. The Reformed doctrine of effectual calling appears: God doesn't merely make salvation possible but actively draws His chosen ones.