Ezekiel 34:25 · Bible study
Ezekiel 34:25 Commentary: Covenant of Peace and the Good Shepherd
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of Ezekiel 34:25 on the covenant of peace, the removal of evil beasts, and secure dwelling under the Messiah's reign.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God promises a lasting covenant of shalom, removing all threats so His people live in complete security under the messianic Shepherd.
- Key words: covenant of peace (berit shalom), evil beasts, dwell securely, sleep (in safety).
- Main debate: Literal peace in the restored land of Israel, or figurative spiritual peace through Christ’s reign.
- Theological theme: God’s faithfulness to restore and protect His flock through the promised Shepherd-King.
- Best use: A foundation for teaching on God’s provision of peace, security in Christ, and the reversal of creation’s curses.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I will make with them a covenant of peace and rid the land of wild animals, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“‘I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land. They will dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
KJV King James Version 1769
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And I have made for them a covenant of peace, And caused evil beasts to cease out of the land, And they have dwelt in a wilderness confidently, And they have slept in forests.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell in safety in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And I will make a covenant of peace with them, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they that dwell in the wilderness shall sleep secure in the forests.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y estableceré con ellos pacto de paz, y haré cesar de la tierra las malas bestias; y habitarán en el desierto seguramente, y dormirán en los bosques.
E farei com elas um pacto de paz, e farei cessar os maus animais da terra; e habitarão no deserto em segurança, e dormirão nos bosques.
Je traiterai avec elles une alliance de paix, et je ferai disparaître du pays les animaux sauvages; elles habiteront en sécurité dans le désert, et dormiront au milieu des forêts.
Und ich will einen Bund des Friedens mit ihnen machen und alle bösen Tiere aus dem Land ausrotten, daß sie in der Wüste sicher wohnen und in den Wäldern schlafen sollen.
En Ik zal een verbond des vredes met hen maken, en zal het boos gedierte uit het land doen ophouden; en zij zullen zeker wonen in de woestijn, en slapen in de wouden.
E fermerò con esse un patto di pace; farò sparire le male bestie dal paese, e le mie pecore dimoreranno al sicuro nel deserto e dormiranno nelle foreste.
I uczynię z nimi przymierze pokoju, a wygubię zły zwierz z ziemi; i będą na puszczy bezpiecznie mieszkać, a w lasach sypiać będą;
И заключу с ними завет мира и удалю с земли лютых зверей, так что безопасно будут жить в степи и спать в лесах.
「我必與他們 立 平安 的約，使惡 獸 從 境內 斷絕，他們就必安 居 在曠野，躺臥 在林中。
And I will make with them an agreement of peace, and will put an end to evil beasts through all the land: and they will be living safely in the waste land, sleeping in the woods.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the 'covenant of peace' in Ezekiel 34:25 is God's promise of comprehensive security for His flock, rooted in the earlier covenant formula of Leviticus 26:6. The covenant is cut (the Hebrew phrasing, as Clarke notes, is emphatic: 'I will cut with them the peace covenant'), implying a sacrificial basis for peace. Most connect this promise to the messianic reign of 'my servant David' in verses 23, 24. The 'evil beasts' are understood in two ways: some (Cambridge Bible, Gill) see them figuratively as hostile nations or false shepherds who oppress the flock; others (Gill also, and the literal reading) see actual wild animals removed when the land is restored. The phrase 'dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods' pictures a reversal of danger, the most vulnerable places become safe havens under God's protection. Wesley sums it up: the covenant 'contains, and shall bring peace, that is all good.'
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal Restoration View: Connects to Leviticus 26:6 and the historical return from Babylon; the land literally safe from wild animals and enemies.
- Figurative / Messianic View: Evil beasts represent hostile forces (nations, false teachers) removed by the Messiah; the peace is spiritual and eschatological.
- Both / Multi-fulfillment View: Partial fulfillment in the return, ultimate fulfillment in the new creation under Christ’s reign.
What is clear: God Himself secures a covenant of peace for His flock, removing all threats and granting them profound safety under the good Shepherd.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant of peace | God initiates a covenant that brings comprehensive peace and security to His people. | Some see it as the literal restoration of Israel to the land after exile; others as the new covenant in Christ bringing spiritual reconciliation. |
| Evil beasts | Whatever threatens the flock will be removed by God’s power. | Literal interpretation: wild animals that plague the land (e.g., lions, bears) will no longer harm. Figurative interpretation: hostile nations, false shepherds, or demonic powers. |
| Secure dwelling in wilderness and woods | The most dangerous places become safe because God protects His people. | Literally: the land of Israel so transformed that even uninhabited areas are safe. Spiritually: believers find peace in Christ no matter how hostile the environment. |
| Identity of 'them' | God’s flock, the people of God. | Dispensationalist traditions: ethnic Israel in the millennium. Covenant traditions: the church as the spiritual Israel, or both in different phases. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Ezekiel 34 is set during the Babylonian exile, when Israel's leaders, the 'shepherds', had failed and scattered the flock. The chapter begins with a stern indictment (v. 2, 10), then shifts to God's promise to personally shepherd His people (v. 11, 16), and finally unveils a future Davidic shepherd (v. 23, 24). Verse 25 is the first blessing after that king is established.
The 'covenant of peace' echoes Leviticus 26:6 (supplied cross-reference): 'I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove evil animals out of the land.' That earlier covenant promised safety for obedience; Ezekiel reapplies it as a pure gift of grace after judgment. The 'evil beasts' recall the curse of Leviticus 26:22, where God sends wild animals as punishment. Here the curse is reversed.
In the ancient Near East, wilderness (midbar) and woods (ya'ar) were places of danger, home to lions, bears, and bandits. The promise that the flock can 'dwell securely' and even sleep in such places is astonishing. It signals a total transformation of the land’s ecology and security. Historically, this was partially fulfilled when the Jews returned from Babylon and resettled the land, as Gill notes. But the full context, one shepherd, God as their God, removal of oppression, points beyond the return to the messianic kingdom.
The 'covenant of peace' is also connected to the 'everlasting covenant' of Isaiah 55:3 and the promise that Jerusalem would be a place of safety (Jeremiah 23:6). Peace (shalom) here means more than absence of war; it includes wholeness, prosperity, and right relationship with God.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants for Ezekiel 34:25. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the verse reads consistently in the Masoretic Text and the ancient versions (Septuagint, Syriac, Targum). There is a variant reading in the Septuagint (and Arabic, per Gill) that says 'I will make with David a covenant of peace,' shifting the focus to the Davidic figure, but this is not supported by the majority Hebrew tradition.
Reception History
Ezekiel 34:25 has been read throughout church history as a messianic promise of peace. Early Christian writers saw its fulfillment in Christ, the Good Shepherd, who makes peace through His blood (Colossians 1:20). The covenant of peace was linked to the 'everlasting covenant' of Isaiah 55:3 and the peace of the new creation. Jewish commentators like Kimchi (as cited by Poole) interpreted it as referring to the days of the Messiah, when wild animals would cease to harm. The verse has been used in liturgy for Advent and Christmastide, as well as in funerals to express the hope of ultimate rest in God’s presence. Hymns and songs about the Shepherd’s care often echo its imagery, though no specific work is traced here. The promise that God’s people will 'sleep in the woods' has comforted believers facing persecution or danger, reminding them that no earthly threat can sever them from God’s peace.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God makes a covenant of peace. This is God’s unilateral promise, not a negotiation. It rests on the work of the coming Shepherd-King. Peace is a gift, not an achievement.
- God removes the threats. Evil beasts, whether literal animals, hostile nations, or false teachers, are taken away. Under the Good Shepherd, nothing can harm the flock and survive.
- God’s people dwell in complete safety. They sleep in the most vulnerable places, wilderness and woods, without fear. This is the confidence that comes from God’s presence and protection.
Five-point outline
- The Promise Initiated: God cuts a covenant of peace. It is binding, sacrificial, and permanent.
- The Obstacle Removed: Evil beasts are made to cease. Every enemy of God’s people is dealt with.
- The Sphere of Safety: Wilderness and woods, places of danger, become dwelling places. No place is too remote for God’s care.
- The Experience of Shalom: They ‘dwell securely’ and ‘sleep.’ Not just survive, but rest. Peace is tangible and daily.
- The Result: They know that Yahweh is their God (v. 27, 30). Peace leads to worship and recognition.
Illustration hooks
- Home security: A family installs a top-of-the-line security system, but still can’t sleep. God’s peace means sleeping without fear, even with the doors unlocked.
- War zone to playground: A neighborhood once known for violence becomes a safe place where children play outside. That reversal is what this promise pictures, land transformed.
- Camping in the wild: The feeling of vulnerability when camping in bear country. The covenant of peace means even there, we can sleep knowing the Shepherd keeps watch.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God promise physical safety to believers today? How does this passage apply when harm still comes?
- What are the ‘evil beasts’ in my life, circumstances, people, or spiritual forces that threaten my peace?
- How do I experience this covenant of peace when I feel anxious or afraid?
Leading a Discussion
This passage pictures a stunning promise: God Himself makes a covenant of peace, removes every threat, and gives His people such safety that they can sleep where wild animals once roamed. As you discuss, consider how this promise fits with the whole story of Scripture, from the curse in Leviticus to the peace of the new creation.
Discussion questions
- Read Ezekiel 34:25 aloud. What catches your attention about the way God describes this peace?
- Compare this verse with Leviticus 26:6. How is Ezekiel’s promise similar? How is it different?
- The ‘covenant of peace’ comes right after God appoints ‘my servant David’ as shepherd (v. 23, 24). Who do you think this refers to, and why does it matter?
- Some interpreters see ‘evil beasts’ as literal animals, others as hostile nations or false teachers. Which reading makes the most sense to you, given the context of Ezekiel 34?
- What does it mean to ‘dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods’? What kind of safety is God promising?
- How does this promise of peace connect to Jesus’ words in John 10 about the Good Shepherd? What has He done to remove the ‘evil beasts’ that threaten us?
- In what area of your life do you most need to experience the ‘covenant of peace’ today? How can this passage give you confidence to trust God?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 26:6 | “‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. |
| Job 5:22 | You will laugh at destruction and famine, neither will you be afraid of the animals of the earth. |
| Psalms 4:8 | In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you alone, Yahweh, make me live in safety. |
| Isaiah 11:6 | The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. |
| Isaiah 11:9 | They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea. |
| Isaiah 35:9 | No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there. |
| Isaiah 55:3 | Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. |
| Jeremiah 23:6 | In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: Yahweh our righteousness. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the Hebrew phrase "cut a covenant of peace," which pictures a sacrificial animal divided to seal a peace agreement between God and humanity. He identifies the evil beasts as false, greedy pastors, explaining that Christ removes them from His church and destroys their power over God's people.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that where many worthless shepherds once failed, one good shepherd, David, will lead. The covenant of peace secures lasting safety by removing everything that would harm the flock, with "beasts" meaning hostile nations, not literal animals. Even the wildest places become safe for sleep.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And I will make with them a couenant of peace, and will cause the euil beastes to cease out of the land: and they shall dwel safely in the wildernesse, and sleepe in the woods.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads the covenant of peace as the eternal grace covenant made with Christ, now revealed to God's flock. He interprets the evil beasts both literally—wild animals that increased during the Babylonian exile—and figuratively, as wicked men and false teachers who will be removed or converted. This removal brings complete security so the flock can rest without fear in any place.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
covenant of peace . . . evil beasts . . . to cease . . . dwell safely —The original promise of the law ( Le 26:6 ) shall be realized for the first time fully under Messiah ( Isa 11:6-9 ; Isa 35:9 ; Hos 2:18 ).
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch insist that Ezekiel's "my servant David" is not a promise that the dead King David would rise again, but rather a prophecy of a future Davidic king. This coming shepherd will rule as prince under God, perfectly carrying out God's will and uniting the divided people of Israel and Judah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the selfish cruelty of the strong sheep who not only eat the best pasture and drink the deepest waters but also trample and foul what remains, leaving nothing for the weak. This pictures how powerful leaders abuse their position, so God himself steps in to rescue the scattered flock and promises to raise up Christ as the one true Shepherd who will feed them with peace.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley defines the covenant as a covenant of promises. These promises contain peace, which he interprets as shorthand for everything good. For Wesley, the covenant's essence is not conditions but a guarantee of comprehensive well-being.