And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

EZEKIEL 34:13KJV
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Ezekiel 34:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 34:13 mean?

Ezekiel 34:13 describes God’s promise to gather the scattered people of Israel from among other nations, bring them back to their homeland, and care for them in all the inhabited areas of Israel. The verse uses the image of feeding sheep on Israel’s mountains and by its rivers to show God’s intention to provide for and restore His people.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the Israelites who are in exile, assuring them that their time of being scattered among other nations will end. The context is a message of hope after judgment, where God promises to act as a shepherd who personally gathers and tends to His flock, reversing their displacement and neglect.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 34:13

  • "Out" (יָצָא, yatsa): This word means to bring out or lead out, emphasizing God’s active role in rescuing the people from among other nations.
  • "Gather" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to collect or assemble, highlighting the idea of bringing together those who have been scattered.
  • "Feed" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word means to shepherd or tend, not just to provide food but to care for and guide, reinforcing the shepherd imagery that runs through this chapter.
  • "Mountains" (הַר, har): The mountains of Israel are often symbolic of the land itself and places of blessing, showing that God’s care will be in the very heart of their homeland.

Why Ezekiel 34:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s promise is not just about physical return but also about restoration and ongoing care, using the shepherd image to show personal involvement.
  • The verse connects to the wider chapter, where God criticizes Israel’s leaders for failing as shepherds and promises to take on that role Himself.
  • It helps correct the misunderstanding that exile was permanent or that God had abandoned His people; instead, God’s plan includes gathering, restoring, and nurturing them.

Where else these words appear

“rivers” Hebrew H650 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
  • Ezekiel 32:6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.

“places” Hebrew H4186 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 10:30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
  • Leviticus 23:31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

“gather” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“feed” Hebrew H7462 · used in 144 verses

  • Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
  • Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
  • Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.