Ezekiel 34:25
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָרַתִּ֤י
And I will make
H3772
וְכָרַתִּ֤י
And I will make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 14
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרִ֣ית
with them a covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֣ית
with them a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
3 of 14
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
שָׁל֔וֹם
of peace
H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם
of peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
4 of 14
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֥י
to cease
H7673
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֥י
to cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
5 of 14
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
חַיָּֽה
beasts
H2416
חַיָּֽה
beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
6 of 14
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
רָעָ֖ה
and will cause the evil
H7451
רָעָ֖ה
and will cause the evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
7 of 14
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְיָשְׁב֤וּ
and they shall dwell
H3427
וְיָשְׁב֤וּ
and they shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
H4057
בַמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
לָבֶ֔טַח
safely
H983
לָבֶ֔טַח
safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
Cross References
Ezekiel 37:26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.Leviticus 26:6And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.Isaiah 35:9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:Psalms 4:8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.Ezekiel 34:28And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Job 5:22At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Jeremiah 33:16In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.Zechariah 6:13Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel faced constant threats—wild animals, enemy nations, drought, disease. The wilderness and woods symbolized danger zones requiring avoidance. God promises transformation: places of danger become places of safety. The post-exilic return brought partial fulfillment, but complete fulfillment awaits the new creation. Jesus brought peace with God through His cross (Ephesians 2:14-17), and His return will bring cosmic peace. The covenant of peace ensures ultimate security for God's people—nothing can separate them from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's covenant of peace address both spiritual and eventual physical restoration?
- What does safety in dangerous places teach about security in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods." The "covenant of peace" refers to the New Covenant established through Christ's blood (Hebrews 13:20). The imagery of safety from wild beasts represents comprehensive security—physical and spiritual. In fallen creation, danger abounds; in restored creation, peace reigns. This anticipates the new heavens and earth where the wolf dwells with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6-9). Christ's atonement reconciles not just God and humanity but ultimately all creation.