I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep: God promises that he himself will look after his people from now on.

And I will make them lie down does not imply that God will force them to lie down. This clause is better rendered “and I will find them a place to rest” (Good News Translation) or “I will let them lie down in safety” (New International Reader’s Version).

Says the Lord GOD: See Ezek 34.8. This solemn formal declaration of God’s message confirms his promise here.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .