Ezekiel 34:8

Authorized King James Version

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

Word-by-Word Analysis

חַיַּ֤ת

H2416

As I live

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֜נִי

H589

נְאֻ֣ם׀

H5002

saith

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י

H136

the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה

H3069

GOD

god

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַ֣עַן

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

הֱיֽוֹת

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

צֹאנִ֖י

H6629

and my flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#11

לָבַ֡ז

H957

became a prey

plunder

#12

וַתִּֽהְיֶינָה֩

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

צֹאנִ֖י

H6629

and my flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#14

לְאָכְלָ֜ה

H402

became meat

food

#15

לְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#16

חַיַּ֤ת

H2416

As I live

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#17

הַשָּׂדֶה֙

H7704

of the field

a field (as flat)

#18

מֵאֵ֣ין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#19

רָעֽוּ׃

H7462

because there was no shepherd

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

#20

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#21

דָרְשׁ֥וּ

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

#22

רָעֽוּ׃

H7462

because there was no shepherd

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

#23

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

צֹאנִ֖י

H6629

and my flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#25

רָעֽוּ׃

H7462

because there was no shepherd

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

#26

רָעֽוּ׃

H7462

because there was no shepherd

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

#27

אוֹתָ֔ם

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#28

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#29

צֹאנִ֖י

H6629

and my flock

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

#30

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#31

רָעֽוּ׃

H7462

because there was no shepherd

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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