Ezekiel 34:19
Ezekiel 34:19 in Multiple Translations
Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’
And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
And as for my sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
And as for my sheep, their food is the grass which has been stamped on by your feet, and their drink the water which has been made dirty by your feet.
Why does my flock have to feed on what your feet have trampled down, and drink the water that your feet have muddied?
And my sheepe eate that which yee haue troden with your feete, and drinke that which ye haue troubled with your feete.
And My flock the trodden thing of your feet consumeth, And the trampled thing of your feet drinketh?
As for my sheep, they eat that which you have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which you have fouled with your feet.’
And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
And my sheep were fed with that which you had trodden with your feet: and they drank what your feet had troubled.
It is as though you [RHQ] are forcing my flock to eat the grass that you have trampled and to drink the water that you have caused to become muddy!
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 34:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 34:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/צֹאנִ֑/י
מִרְמַ֤ס
רַגְלֵי/כֶם֙
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
וּ/מִרְפַּ֥שׂ
רַגְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
תִּשְׁתֶּֽינָה
וְ/צֹאנִ֑/י
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Conj | N-cs | Suff
מִרְמַ֤ס
mirmâç
H4823
trampling
N-ms
רַגְלֵי/כֶם֙
regel
H7272
foot
N-fd | Suff
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
râʻâh
H7462
House of Shepherds
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
וּ/מִרְפַּ֥שׂ
mirpâs
H4833
mud
Conj | N-ms
רַגְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
regel
H7272
foot
N-fd | Suff
תִּשְׁתֶּֽינָה
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 34:19
וְ/צֹאנִ֑/י
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Conj | N-cs | Suff
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
מִרְמַ֤ס
mirmâç
H4823
"trampling"
N-ms
Mirmas refers to the act of trampling or a trampling place, often used to describe being trodden down. It is used in various Bible verses to convey oppression or subjugation.
Definition: 1) trampling place, trampling 1a) trampling place 1b) trampling
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: tread (down) -ing, (to be) trodden (down) under foot. See also: Isaiah 5:5; Isaiah 28:18; Isaiah 7:25.
רַגְלֵי/כֶם֙
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
תִּרְעֶ֔ינָה
râʻâh
H7462
"House of Shepherds"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Definition: Ra'ah = "pasturing" perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. See also: Genesis 4:2; Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1.
וּ/מִרְפַּ֥שׂ
mirpâs
H4833
"mud"
Conj | N-ms
Refers to muddy or dirty water. It can also mean something that is polluted or foul. This word is used in the Bible to describe things that are unclean.
Definition: befouled, thing befouled
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: that which...have fouled. See also: Ezekiel 34:19.
רַגְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
תִּשְׁתֶּֽינָה
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 34:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Good Shepherd
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?
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,Ezekiel 34:19 Summary
This verse is saying that God is upset because some of His people are being hurt by the selfish actions of others. It's like when someone is mean to someone else and makes their life harder, and God doesn't want that to happen (see Isaiah 1:17). God wants us to be kind and care for each other, especially those who are struggling, just like Jesus taught us in Matthew 25:40. We should try to be mindful of how our actions affect others and make sure we're not hurting anyone, so we can all live in peace and harmony, as seen in Galatians 6:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the flock to feed on what the feet of others have trampled?
This refers to how the selfish actions of some can harm and deprive others, much like how the strong sheep in Ezekiel 34:18 trample the pasture, leaving the weak with little to eat, as seen in Ezekiel 34:20 where God judges between the fat and lean sheep.
Why does God ask why His flock must drink what the feet of others have muddied?
God is highlighting the injustice of how the strong are causing suffering for the weak, much like in Isaiah 1:17 where God calls for the oppressed to be defended, and in this case, the flock is suffering because of the actions of those who are supposed to care for them.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us of our responsibility to care for one another, especially those who are weaker or more vulnerable, as seen in Galatians 6:2 where we are called to bear one another's burdens, and in James 1:27 where pure religion is defined as caring for the orphans and widows.
What is the main point God is trying to convey in this verse?
God is emphasizing His concern for the well-being of all His flock, and He is holding accountable those who would harm or neglect the weaker ones, as seen in Matthew 25:40 where Jesus says that whatever we do to the least of His brothers, we do to Him.
Reflection Questions
- How can I ensure that my actions are not harming or depriving others, especially those who are weaker or more vulnerable?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of the impact my behavior has on those around me, and make changes to be more considerate and caring?
- What are some practical ways I can help care for those who are struggling or in need, and how can I be more like Jesus in my interactions with others?
- How can I be more aware of the 'trampled' and 'muddied' areas in my own life, and seek God's help to restore and redeem them?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 34:19
And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet,.... They are forced to do it, not being able to come at any thing else; being as sheep without a shepherd, or worse: and they
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 34:19
Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:19
Ezekiel 34:19 And [as for] my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.Ver. 19. And as for my flock, they eat.] The poor, misled, and muzzled people are glad to eat such as they can catch. They are fed with traditions, legendary fables, indulgences, vowed pilgrimages, penances, &c. If Luther had not come in our way, say they, we could have persuaded the people to have eaten grass.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 34:19
17-22. The divine Shepherd will not permit the strong, proud rams and the fat he goats (the priests, the prophets, and the rulers) to drive away or take advantage of their weaker companions.