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.

EZEKIEL 34:17KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 34:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 34:17 mean?

Ezekiel 34:17 says that God will judge between different members of His flock, making distinctions even among those who seem similar, like between rams and goats. This verse shows that God pays close attention to the actions and attitudes of individuals within His people, not just to the group as a whole.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, comparing them to a flock of sheep. The context is a warning that God will not just hold leaders accountable, but will also judge between individuals in the community. The mention of "rams and he goats" highlights that even among those who belong to God's flock, some may act in ways that harm others, and God will address those differences.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 34:17

  • "flock" (צֹאן, tson): This word means a group of sheep or goats. Here, it refers to the people of Israel as a community under God's care.
  • "judge" (שָׁפַט, shafat): This verb means to decide or pass judgment. The use here emphasizes that God is actively discerning and making decisions about individuals, not just groups.
  • "cattle" (בְּהֵמָה, behemah): Used twice for emphasis, this word can mean large domesticated animals, but in this context, it refers to different types within the flock, showing that God notices distinctions even among those who seem alike.
  • "rams" (אַיִל, ayil) and "goats" (עַתּוּד, attud): These words point to different kinds of animals within the flock, symbolizing different types of people or behaviors among God's people.

Why Ezekiel 34:17 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that God only judges leaders or obvious wrongdoers; it shows that God also holds every individual accountable for their actions within the community.
  • Ezekiel 34:17 emphasizes that being part of God's people does not guarantee approval—God looks at the behavior and heart of each person.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where God criticizes both the shepherds (leaders) and the sheep (people), showing that justice and fairness are central to God's care for His people.

Where else these words appear

“you” Hebrew H859 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Genesis 24:23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
  • Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

“goats” Hebrew H6260 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
  • Numbers 7:59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Psalms 66:15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

“cattle” Hebrew H7716 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
  • Exodus 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
  • 1 Samuel 14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.