Ezekiel 36:38

38 As a holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts: so shall the waste cities be full of flocks of men: and they shall 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.
FOOTNOTES:

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

Ezekiel 36:38 In-Context

36 And the nations, that shall be left round about you, shall know that I the Lord have built up what was destroyed, and planted what was desolate, that I the Lord have spoken and done it.
37 Thus saith the Lord God: Moreover in this shall the house of Israel find me, that I will do it for them: I will multiply them as a flock of men,
38 As a holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts: so shall the waste cities be full of flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.
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