Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 1917And 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. Jump to Previous Cattle Flock Goats He-Goats Judge Judging Male Rams Sheep SovereignJump to Next Cattle Flock Goats He-Goats Judge Judging Male Rams Sheep SovereignEzekiel 34 1. A reproof of the shepherds7. 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 Behold I will judge between one sheep and another and between rams and goats Persons / Places / Events 1. The Lord GODThe sovereign ruler and judge, emphasizing His authority and justice. 2. Sheep Symbolic of God's people, often representing those who are faithful and obedient. 3. Rams Typically represent leaders or those in positions of authority within the flock. 4. Goats Often symbolize those who are rebellious or disobedient among God's people. 5. Judgment The event where God distinguishes between the faithful and the unfaithful within His people. Teaching Points God's Sovereign JudgmentGod is the ultimate judge who discerns the hearts and actions of His people. We must live with the awareness that our actions and attitudes are subject to His righteous judgment. Distinction Among Believers Not all who are part of the community of believers are faithful. We must examine our lives to ensure we are living in obedience and faithfulness to God. Role of Leaders Leaders within the church are held to a higher standard. They must shepherd the flock with integrity and care, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and neglect. Call to Self-Examination Believers are called to self-examination, ensuring that their lives reflect the character and commands of Christ, avoiding the traits of the "goats." Living Out Our Faith Our faith must be evident in our actions, particularly in how we treat others. We are called to serve and love, reflecting the heart of the Good Shepherd.(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 whatכֹּ֥ה (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 Links Ezekiel 34:17 NIVEzekiel 34:17 NLT Ezekiel 34:17 ESV Ezekiel 34:17 NASB Ezekiel 34:17 KJV Ezekiel 34:17 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 34:17 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 34:17 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 34:17 French Bible Ezekiel 34:17 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:17 As for you O my flock thus (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |