Ezekiel 34:20
New International Version
“’Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

New Living Translation
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep.

English Standard Version
“Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

King James Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.

New King James Version
‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says to them: “Behold, I, I Myself will also judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

NASB 1995
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them, “Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

NASB 1977
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them, “Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, thus says Lord Yahweh to them, “Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Amplified Bible
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them, “Behold, I Myself will judge between the [well-fed] fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says to them: See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

American Standard Version
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Contemporary English Version
So I, the LORD God, will separate you strong sheep from the weak.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them: Behold, I, even I, judge between the fat cattle and the lean cattle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
" 'So this is what the Almighty LORD says to them: I will judge disputes between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep.

Good News Translation
"So now, I, the Sovereign LORD, tell you that I will judge between you strong sheep and the weak sheep.

International Standard Version
"Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: 'Watch me! I'm going to judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep,

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

NET Bible
"'Therefore, this is what the sovereign LORD says to them: Look, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

New Heart English Bible
"'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: "Look, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD to them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.

World English Bible
“Therefore the Lord Yahweh says to them: ‘Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, thus said Lord YHWH to them: Behold, I—even I, have judged between fat sheep and lean sheep.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah to them: Lo, I -- even I, have judged between fat sheep and lean sheep.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, thus said the Lord Jehovah to them: Behold me I also judged between fat sheep and between lean sheep.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord God to you: Behold, I myself will judge between the fat cattle and the lean.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, thus says the Lord God to you: Behold, I myself am judging between the fat cattle and the lean.

New American Bible
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will judge between the fat and the lean.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD God to them: Behold, I myself will judge between the fat ewe and the lean ewe.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: behold I judge between a fat ewe and a sickly ewe
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and the lean cattle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will separate between the strong sheep and the weak sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Good Shepherd
19Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’ 20Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad,…

Cross References
Matthew 25:31-46
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. ...

John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...

Psalm 23:1-4
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...

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. ...

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.

Micah 2:12-13
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pasture—a noisy throng. / One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.

Zechariah 11:16-17
For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”

Luke 15:4-7
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...

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.’”

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Hebrews 13:20-21
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, / equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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 56:11-12
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: / “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore thus said the Lord GOD to them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.

Behold

Ezekiel 34:10,17
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them…

Psalm 22:12-16
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round…

Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: …

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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














Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them
The phrase begins with "Therefore," indicating a conclusion or a response to previous statements. In the context of Ezekiel 34, God is addressing the failures of Israel's leaders, the shepherds, who have neglected their duties. "The Lord GOD" is a translation of the Hebrew "Adonai Yahweh," emphasizing God's sovereign authority and covenant relationship with Israel. This introduction underscores the seriousness and divine authority behind the forthcoming judgment.

Behold, I Myself will judge
The word "Behold" is a call to attention, urging the audience to listen carefully to God's pronouncement. "I Myself" emphasizes God's personal involvement and direct action, highlighting His role as the ultimate judge. This is significant because it shows that God is not delegating this responsibility but is taking it upon Himself to ensure justice. The Hebrew root for "judge" is "shaphat," which implies not only legal judgment but also governance and the restoration of order.

between the fat sheep and the lean sheep
The imagery of "fat sheep and lean sheep" is metaphorical, representing the unjust and the oppressed within the community of Israel. The "fat sheep" symbolize those who have grown prosperous and powerful at the expense of others, often through exploitation and neglect of the vulnerable. In contrast, the "lean sheep" represent those who have been marginalized and deprived. This metaphor is rooted in the pastoral culture of ancient Israel, where sheep were a common part of daily life and economy. The distinction between the two groups underscores God's concern for justice and His intention to rectify the imbalance caused by the leaders' failures. Historically, this reflects the broader biblical theme of God's preferential care for the oppressed and His call for leaders to act with righteousness and compassion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore,
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

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

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

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

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

to them:
אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘Behold,
הִנְנִי־ (hin·nî-)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

I Myself
אָ֕נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will judge
וְשָֽׁפַטְתִּי֙ (wə·šā·p̄aṭ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common 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

the fat
בִרְיָ֔ה (ḇir·yāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1277: Fatted, plump

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

and the lean
רָזָֽה׃ (rā·zāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7330: Thin

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


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:20 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 34:19
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