translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: EZK

label: NET translator note

text: The term shepherd is applied to kings in the ancient Near East. In the OT the Lord is often addressed as shepherd of Israel ( Gen 49:24 ; Ps 8:1 ). The imagery of shepherds as Israel’s leaders is also employed ( Jer 23:1-2 ).


text: The term translated “harshness” is used to describe the oppression the Israelites suffered as slaves in Egypt ( Exod 1:13 ).


text: As a case of dittography, the MT repeats “and they were scattered” at the end of the verse.


text: Heb “I will cause them to cease from feeding sheep.”


text: Heb “good.”


text: Heb “outside.”


text: The phrase “live securely” occurs in Ezek 28:26; 38:8, 11, 14; 39:26 as an expression of freedom from fear. It is a promised blessing resulting from obedience (see Lev 26:5-6 ).


text: Heb “showers of blessing.” Abundant rain, which in turn produces fruit and crops (v. 27 ), is a covenantal blessing for obedience ( Lev 26:4 ).


label: NET textual note

text: The MT reads לְשֵׁם ( lÿshem , “for a name”), meaning perhaps a renowned planting (place). The translation takes this to be a metathesis of שָׁלֹם ( shalom ) as was read by the LXX.


text: Heb “those gathered” for famine.


text: Heb , “the sheep of my pasture, you are human.” See 36:37-38 for a similar expression. The possessive pronoun “my” is supplied in the translation to balance “I am your God” in the next clause.