Bible Strands
Ezekiel 34:23
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks this declaration to the exiled house of Israel during the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel, immediately after promising to rescue the flock from predatory leaders and judge between the sheep.
The words — The Hebrew root רֹעֶה (ro'eh) denotes a shepherd, while וַ/הֲקִמֹתִ֨י (va./ha.ki.mo.Ti) from H6965 literally means "and I will raise up," establishing the divine initiative behind the appointment.
The thread — This promise of a single shepherd identified as David reappears in Ezekiel 37:24 as a future king, echoes Jeremiah 30:9's pledge of David as king, and aligns with Isaiah 40:11's description of tender shepherd care.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that divine deliverance depends on a appointed human agent who will actively feed and govern the people, shifting responsibility from failed leaders to a centralized, obedient ruler.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.
- Jeremiah 30:9 Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
- Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- Hosea 3:5 Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.
- John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.
- Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.
- Jeremiah 23:4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.
- 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”