Ezekiel 34:13
And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
Original Language Analysis
וְהוֹצֵאתִ֣ים
And I will bring them out
H3318
וְהוֹצֵאתִ֣ים
And I will bring them out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעַמִּ֗ים
from the people
H5971
הָעַמִּ֗ים
from the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִ֖ים
and will bring
H935
וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִ֖ים
and will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּרְעִיתִים֙
and feed
H7462
וּרְעִיתִים֙
and feed
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
10 of 17
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
הָרֵ֣י
them upon the mountains
H2022
הָרֵ֣י
them upon the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
12 of 17
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בָּאֲפִיקִ֕ים
by the rivers
H650
בָּאֲפִיקִ֕ים
by the rivers
Strong's:
H650
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero
וּבְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וּבְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Ezekiel 11:17Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.Psalms 106:47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.Jeremiah 32:37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:Amos 9:14And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.Ezekiel 36:24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.Jeremiah 30:3For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.Ezekiel 39:27When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;Ezekiel 20:41I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.Jeremiah 23:8But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.Jeremiah 31:8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
Historical Context
The promise (586 BC) addressed exiles mourning dispersion. Cyrus's decree (539 BC) began fulfillment, allowing Jewish return. However, most remained scattered, and even returnees faced hardship. Complete fulfillment came through Christ gathering elect from every nation into spiritual Israel (the church). The physical geography (mountains of Israel, rivers, inhabited places) foreshadows spiritual realities: abundant provision in Christ, security in God's kingdom, eternal fellowship in new creation. What God promised Israel He fulfills expansively in the church.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to gather and feed encourage believers experiencing spiritual exile?
- What is the relationship between physical restoration promises and spiritual realities in Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country." God promises comprehensive restoration: regathering from exile, return to homeland, abundant provision. The threefold promise emphasizes divine initiative. This had partial fulfillment in post-exilic return but awaits complete fulfillment in Christ's gathering elect from all nations. The Reformed view sees spiritual fulfillment: God gathering His people into the church, feeding them with Word and sacrament, providing eternal security.