Ezekiel 34:17
New International Version
“’As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.

New Living Translation
“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats.

English Standard Version
“As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats.

King James Bible
And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.

New King James Version
‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats.

New American Standard Bible
“As for you, My flock, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am going to judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats.

NASB 1995
“As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats.

NASB 1977
“And as for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats.

Legacy Standard Bible
“As for you, My flock, thus says Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats.

Amplified Bible
“And as for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats [between the righteous and the unrighteous].

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘As for you, my flock, the Lord GOD says this: Look, I am going to judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and goats.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Lord GOD says to you, My flock: I am going to judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and male goats.

American Standard Version
And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the he-goats.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD God said to his sheep, the people of Israel: I will carefully watch each one of you to decide which ones are the strong sheep and which ones are weak.

English Revised Version
And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, as well the rams as the he-goats.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'As for you, my sheep, this is what the Almighty LORD says: I will judge disputes between one sheep and another, between rams and male goats.

Good News Translation
"Now then, my flock, I, the Sovereign LORD, tell you that I will judge each of you and separate the good from the bad, the sheep from the goats.

International Standard Version
"Now as for you, my flock, this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Watch out! I'm going to judge between one sheep and another, and between the rams and the goats.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats.

NET Bible
"'As for you, my sheep, this is what the sovereign LORD says: Look, I am about to judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

New Heart English Bible
"'As for you, O my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: "Look, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the male goats.

Webster's Bible Translation
And as for you, O my flock, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he-goats.

World English Bible
“As for you, O my flock, the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the male goats.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you, My flock, thus said Lord YHWH: Behold, I am judging between sheep and sheep, "" Between rams and male goats.

Young's Literal Translation
And you, My flock, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am judging between sheep and sheep, Between rams and he-goats.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye, my sheep, thus said the Lord Jehovah; Behold me judging between sheep to sheep, to the rams and to the he goats.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as for you, O my flocks, thus saith the Lord God: Behold I judge between cattle and cattle, of rams and of he goats.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But as for you, O my flocks, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, among rams and among he-goats.

New American Bible
As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

New Revised Standard Version
As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And as for you, O my flock, thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will judge between ewe and ewe, and between ram and ram.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But to you, my sheep, thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: ‘Behold, I judge between a ewe and a ewe, and between a ram and a ram
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And as for you, O My flock, thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, even the rams and the he-goats.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And as for you, ye sheep, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will distinguish between sheep and sheep, between rams and he-goats.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Good Shepherd
16I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’ 17This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats. 18Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?…

Cross References
Matthew 25:31-33
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

Matthew 25:41-46
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. / For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ ...

John 10:14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, / just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. / 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.

John 10:26-28
But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. / My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. / I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

Revelation 22:12-15
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. / I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” / Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. ...

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Revelation 2:27
He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Romans 14:10-12
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 2:6-8
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” / To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. / But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.

Jeremiah 23:1-4
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...

Jeremiah 50:6-7
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. / All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

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.


Treasury of Scripture

And as for you, O my flock, thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.

I judge

Ezekiel 34:20-22
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle…

Ezekiel 20:37,38
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: …

Zechariah 10:3
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

cattle and cattle.

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Ezekiel 34
1. A reproof of the shepherds
7. God's judgment against them
11. His providence over his flock
20. The kingdom of Christ














As for you, My flock
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between God and His people. The term "flock" is a metaphor for the people of Israel, indicating care, guidance, and protection. In Hebrew, "flock" (צֹאן, tson) often refers to a group under the care of a shepherd, symbolizing God's role as a divine shepherd. This imagery is consistent throughout Scripture, highlighting God's nurturing and protective nature.

this is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God. The use of "Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh) combines the titles of master and the covenant name of God, emphasizing His supreme authority and faithfulness to His promises. It serves as a reminder that the message comes directly from the highest authority, demanding attention and obedience.

Behold
The word "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an imperative that calls for attention. It is often used in Scripture to introduce something significant or to draw attention to a divine revelation. This word serves as a signal to the audience that what follows is of great importance and requires careful consideration.

I will judge
The act of judging (שָׁפַט, shaphat) in this context refers to God's role as the ultimate arbiter of justice. It implies a process of discernment and decision-making based on righteousness. This judgment is not arbitrary but is rooted in God's perfect justice and moral order, reflecting His holiness and fairness.

between one sheep and another
This phrase indicates a process of differentiation and evaluation among the members of God's people. The imagery of sheep suggests a community under God's care, but it also implies that not all members are equal in their faithfulness or behavior. This differentiation is a call to self-examination and accountability within the community of believers.

and between rams and goats
The distinction between "rams" and "goats" further emphasizes the process of separation based on behavior and character. In biblical symbolism, rams often represent strength and leadership, while goats can symbolize stubbornness or waywardness. This imagery suggests a sorting based on spiritual qualities and adherence to God's ways, highlighting the importance of righteous living and obedience to God's commands.

(17) Between cattle and cattle.--In other words, between one and another of the flock. They are not all alike to be saved and blessed, but only those who turn in penitence and submission to God, their Shepherd. The same contrast is again expressed in Ezekiel 34:20; Ezekiel 34:22. It is not between "the cattle" on the one side, and "the rams and the he-goats" on the other, but between the cattle themselves, and also between the rams and he-goats themselves; all the evil, of whatever class, are to be rejected. Ezekiel 34:18-19 are addressed to those who will be rejected.

Verse 17. - Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle. It may be worth while to note, as modern English usage tends to limit the range of the word, that it is commonly used in the Old Testament of sheep rather than of kine (Genesis 30:34-42; Genesis 31:8-12). In Genesis 30:32 we have the same Hebrew word as that which Ezekiel uses. Between the rams and the he-goats. The words, at first, seem to point to a division like that of Matthew 25:32, and may, perhaps, have suggested it. Here, however, the contrast lies, not between the sheep and goats as such, but between the strong and the weak of each class. The "rams" are as much the object of the shepherd's discipline of judgment as the "he-goats." Both stand as the representative of the rapacious self-seeking classes who oppressed the poor and needy, and, not content with being the first to feed on the pastures and to drink of the waters, trampled on the former and defiled the latter. So in the next verse the contrast lies between the "fat cattle," whether sheep or goats, and the "lean."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֥ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says
אָמַ֖ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to you,
וְאַתֵּ֣נָה (wə·’at·tê·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person feminine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

My flock:
צֹאנִ֔י (ṣō·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

‘I will judge
שֹׁפֵט֙ (šō·p̄êṭ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

between
בֵּֽין־ (bên-)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

one sheep
שֶׂ֣ה (śeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

and another,
לָשֶׂ֔ה (lā·śeh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

between the rams
לָאֵילִ֖ים (lā·’ê·lîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 352: Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree

and the goats.
וְלָעַתּוּדִֽים׃ (wə·lā·‘at·tū·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6260: Prepared, full grown, of he-goats, leaders of the people


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:17 As for you O my flock thus (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 34:16
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