“Then I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd.
Parallel translations
- WEB I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- KJV And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- BSB I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- ESV And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
- NKJV I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.
- NLT And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God promises one shepherd, 'my servant David,' to feed and tend the flock. This is the Messianic hope of a coming Davidic king.
Overview
Since David himself was long dead, this promises a coming descendant of David who fulfills the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7). The singular 'one shepherd' contrasts with the many failed shepherds and points to the Messiah. The New Testament identifies Him as Jesus, the Son of David and Good Shepherd, who unites God's people under one tender, righteous rule (John 10:11-16; Acts 13:23).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Ezek 37:24–25My servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my ordinances, and observe my statutes, and do them.
- Jer 30:9but they will serve Yahweh their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.
- Hos 3:5Afterward the children of Israel shall return, and seek Yahweh their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to Yahweh and to his blessings in the last days.
- Isa 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
- John 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
- Eccl 12:11The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
- Jer 23:4–6I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking,” says Yahweh.
- Isa 55:3–4Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
- 1 Pet 5:4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
- Rev 22:16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.”
- Heb 13:20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
- Mic 5:2–5But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
- 1 Pet 2:25For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- Isa 11:1A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
- Zech 13:7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says Yahweh of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
Resources, by level
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 34:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.