Ezekiel 34:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He also delivers a prophecy against the leaders of the Israelites, assuring them that a singular shepherd will be entrusted to guide them, a promise that was realized during Zerubbabel’s time. Yet, the unrepentant Jews maintain that this event has not yet occurred; however, as I mentioned, it was indeed fulfilled in the era of Zerubbabel. Additionally, it is foretold regarding Zerubbabel that he alone would govern the Jewish people. This can likewise be interpreted as referring to our Lord Jesus Christ.

They referred to Christ as the Son of David because they regarded it as a prestigious title. The prophets often similarly addressed kings whom they desired to honor and uplift.

I will appoint a single shepherd over them... My servant David. It is clear that this refers to Christ. The esteemed prophet Ezekiel spoke of this while the revered David had long since died and was laid to rest. Yet, God the Father conveyed this promise as something that had been fulfilled in the past, rather than already completed; for promises pertain to what is to come, not to what has already happened.

Ezekiel, serving as a prophetic figure for Christ through the lens of David, reveals that Christ, having taken on humanity from David’s lineage, embodies this servant role as the Son of God. In his prophecy, he speaks on behalf of God the Father: “And I will set one shepherd over them to shepherd them, My servant David; he shall shepherd them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David shall be a prince among them. I, the Lord, have spoken it” (Ezekiel 34:23-24).

I will raise up a shepherd for them, My servant David, referring to Zerubbabel. However, this prophecy finds its ultimate realization in our Lord. He stands as the authentic Shepherd of the congregation drawn from the Gentiles, known as David the servant since He humbled Himself and took on the nature of a servant, being of the line of David.

He will appoint one Shepherd, who proclaims in the Gospel, ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:14), His servant David, embodying the essence of a servant (Philippians 2), which signifies David: mighty in strength. He will tend to them, and the Lord will be their God—this may refer to either the Son and the Father or the Shepherd, who assumed human form; but indeed, the Lord and God, as the Word that existed with God from the beginning (John 1:1-2). When the sheep are endowed with understanding, this David will no longer be referred to simply as a shepherd, but as a prince among them, of whom it is said, He stands in the midst of you, whom you do not know (John 1:26).

And I will appoint for them a singular shepherd, my servant David, who shall deliver me, provide for me, and he shall be their shepherd. In this context, as mentioned in Ezekiel 34:15, it is stated that their shepherd will be David, referred to as His servant. So, who could this be? It is unmistakably the Lord Christ, who was born from the lineage of David in the flesh. Thus, while He embodies servanthood in His human form, this is in terms of His essence rather than His status. For those who believe in Him are not merely servants but children of God; how much more is He, through whom the servants have attained freedom, not a servant but the Son.

It is significant that the psalm is titled to David (Ps. 97:1) as it foretells the mysteries pertaining to Christ, who is represented by David, in line with the interpretation offered by the prophet Ezekiel, or more precisely, by the Holy Spirit speaking through him. The Lord declares, "And I will raise up unto you a shepherd, my servant David." Since David had passed away many generations earlier, the prophet refers to Christ as David, both in terms of His lineage and in his role as Sovereign. Furthermore, the title of servant is used to signify His humble acceptance of the servant's form.