Ezekiel 36:38

38 So the ruined cities will be filled with a flock of people, just as the flock of sheep for sacrifice is filled^[a] in Jerusalem during its appointed festivals. Then they will know that I am the Lord."

Ezekiel 36:38 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 36:38

As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn
feasts
Like flocks of sheep, which were consecrated and set apart for holy uses, for sacrifices; even like the flocks of sheep, which were brought to Jerusalem to be offered in sacrifice at the three solemn festivals in the year; especially at the passover, when the Jews came from all parts of the country to slay and eat their passover; and every family had a lamb, which in all must be a great number: we read of thirty thousand lambs and three thousand bullocks given at one time for this service by King Josiah, besides what was given by the princes, ( 2 Chronicles 35:7-9 ) . The Targum is,

``as the holy people, as a people that is cleansed, and comes to Jerusalem at the feasts of the passover:''

or, "as the flock of the Holy Ones" ^F17; either of the holy God, Father, Son, and Spirit; or of holy men, who are made holy or sanctified by the Spirit of God: so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men;
or with men that are like sheep for meekness, harmlessness, patience, cleanness, society, and usefulness; and not with such as are comparable to unclean beasts, or beasts of prey; so it denotes both the quantity of persons that shall inhabit Judea, and dwelt both in the cities and churches there, and the quality of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Myvdq Nauk) "sicut oves sanctorum", Vatablus, Gussetius, Starckius.

Ezekiel 36:38 In-Context

36 Then the nations that remain around you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken and I will do [it].

37 "This is what the Lord God says: I will respond to the house of Israel and do this for them: I will multiply them in number like a flock.

38 So the ruined cities will be filled with a flock of people, just as the flock of sheep for sacrifice is filled in Jerusalem during its appointed festivals. Then they will know that I am the Lord."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit the flock of consecrated things, as the flock