Bible Strands
Ezekiel 36:38
Like the numerous flocks for sacrifices at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so the ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord GOD addresses the house of Israel through Ezekiel immediately after promising to multiply their population like a flock.
The words — The Hebrew צֹאן (tzon) means sheep or flocks, and קָדָשִׁים (qodashim) denotes holy or consecrated offerings, anchoring the metaphor in temple sacrifice.
The thread — The image of Jerusalem overflowing with sacrificial flocks parallels Solomon’s dedication offerings (1 Kings 8:63) and the post-Pentecost gathering of believers in the city (Acts 2:5).
Why it lands — The text declares that demographic restoration will serve as visible proof of divine action, requiring the reader to acknowledge the LORD as the sole cause of the transformation.
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
As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 8:63 And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.
- John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
- Acts 2:5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
- Exodus 23:17 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.
- Exodus 34:23 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.
- 2 Chronicles 7:8 So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days.
- 2 Chronicles 30:21 The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 35:7 From his own flocks and herds Josiah contributed 30,000 lambs and goats plus 3,000 bulls for the Passover offerings for all the people who were present.
- Jeremiah 30:19 Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled.