Ezekiel 34:25
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
Study Note
Study Note
God promises a 'covenant of peace' (berit shalom) that will restore safety to the land by removing dangerous beasts — both literal predators and, symbolically, oppressive rulers. The imagery of dwelling safely in the wilderness and sleeping in the woods evokes a complete reversal of the exile's dangers, where vulnerability and fear had been constant. This passage is part of Ezekiel's great shepherd discourse (chapters 34-37), which contrasts Israel's failed leaders with the Lord as the true Shepherd and the coming Davidic prince. The language of peaceful coexistence is echoed in Isaiah 11:6-9 and Hosea 2:18, forming a prophetic tradition of creation's restoration under messianic rule.
Other Translations
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell securely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
And I have made for them a covenant of peace, And caused evil beasts to cease out of the land, And they have dwelt in a wilderness confidently, And they have slept in forests.
And I will make with them an agreement of peace, and will put an end to evil beasts through all the land: and they will be living safely in the waste land, sleeping in the woods.
Cross References
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant …
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but …
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge …
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf …
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall …
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the …
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and …
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall …
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I …