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Jewish interpretation of Ezekiel 37:24, please

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
I would appreciate how a Jew well trained in the scriptures interprets Ezekiel 37:24 which says: (King James Version) - "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."
No arguments here, just would like some sort of authoritative answer from a person well versed possibly in Judaism, or Jewish thought and interpretation. Thank you. My question is: how would David be servant over the Jews?
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
I’m not Jewish, although I had a Jewish stepfather for many years, and learned a few things from him.

But I will offer my thoughts, for what they’re worth, which is nothing, because only the Lord can truly answer your question for you.


Here goes:


John 5:39. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”


The scriptures referred to by the Lord are the Jewish scriptures, since that’s all there were at that time. Those include Ezekiel 37:24.

If the scriptures testify of the Lord, then how can that be?

Perhaps, the spiritual meaning is what testifies, not the literal.

David was the 2nd king of the Jews.

What if David represents the Lord here?

What if the Lord MUST be made OUR 2nd king? (By “our”, I mean each of us, individually, as well as collectively as the bride of Jesus)

Saul was the 1st king of the Jews.


I will leave it to you to figure out what Saul represents.


Peace.
This is not an argument, just a comment that I'm going to make. I'm asking Jewish people in particular what they think it means. If they think it means the Messiah, I don't know. Interesting point about Saul, but I don't know. I went to synagogue regularly and quite frankly never heard of any of Ezekiel's prophecies anyway, so since I was reading this recently, I wonder how a Jew might see the prophecy about David. I know how I see it, but I'm wondering how someone who does not believe in Jesus as Messiah sees it. Thanks, though.
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
This is not an argument, just a comment that I'm going to make. I'm asking Jewish people in particular what they think it means. If they think it means the Messiah, I don't know. Interesting point about Saul, but I don't know. I went to synagogue regularly and quite frankly never heard of any of Ezekiel's prophecies anyway, so since I was reading this recently, I wonder how a Jew might see the prophecy about David. I know how I see it, but I'm wondering how someone who does not believe in Jesus as Messiah sees it. Thanks, though.

ah, great point you have

part of the reason I didn’t want to comment on the word ‘servant’

i now see what you are looking for more clearly

it is quite an amazing story, the more one delves into it

i hope you are enjoying it

i am thankful to you for this thread
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
ah, great point you have

part of the reason I didn’t want to comment on the word ‘servant’

i now see what you are looking for more clearly

it is quite an amazing story, the more one delves into it

i hope you are enjoying it

i am thankful to you for this thread
It truly is an amazing account. Yes, the fabulocity :) of the account and prophecies and their interpretation (in the right manner) never cease to amaze me. Glad I explained it a little more to you.
 

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
It truly is an amazing account. Yes, the fabulocity :) of the account and prophecies and their interpretation (in the right manner) never cease to amaze me. Glad I explained it a little more to you.

so am I

and I’m thrilled to see that you share in the wonder and amazement

it is hard to find people who get immense joy from the Bible, and especially not with the OT
 

Shaul

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
If read in context this is clearly an end time prophecy. The chapter first describes the return of the lost tribes and the reuniting of all the tribes as precursors. It then makes the statement that David will be king over the reunified nation. Since these things clearly haven’t happened yet this is a future prophecy. The Jewish sages have variations of who is meant by David. Some say it is not the historical king David himself but uses David as referring to one of his descendants. Others say it will be David himself resurrected. Scripture could be interpreted to support both positions.

Truth be told the identity of this future king is less important than the results of that time having arrived.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
so am I

and I’m thrilled to see that you share in the wonder and amazement

it is hard to find people who get immense joy from the Bible, and especially not with the OT
Every time I read it I learn more. It's wonderful, good speaking with you.
 

Harel13

Am Yisrael Chai
Staff member
Premium Member
I would appreciate how a Jew well trained in the scriptures interprets Ezekiel 37:24 which says: (King James Version) - "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."
No arguments here, just would like some sort of authoritative answer from a person well versed possibly in Judaism, or Jewish thought and interpretation. Thank you. My question is: how would David be servant over the Jews?
Well, to begin with, we wouldn't normally use the KJV.
 

rosends

Well-Known Member
I would appreciate how a Jew well trained in the scriptures interprets Ezekiel 37:24 which says: (King James Version) - "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."
No arguments here, just would like some sort of authoritative answer from a person well versed possibly in Judaism, or Jewish thought and interpretation. Thank you. My question is: how would David be servant over the Jews?
There are two general understandings (and one slightly more esoteric one):
1. The future messianic king is called by the family to which he belongs, as a descendant of the Davidic dynasty
2. The future messiah will be called either "a David" (as a typology) or "David" (either as a given name or as a proper name appended to his name

3. This is a reference to the future resurrection of the actual David.

-------------
My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws.
 

Harel13

Am Yisrael Chai
Staff member
Premium Member
So what would a more proper translation of this verse look like? I'm guessing that's what you're implying.
One possibility:
"And My servant David shall be king over them, and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in Mine ordinances, and observe My statutes, and do them." (Mechon Mamre)
Another:
"My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws." (Sefaria)

As far as I can tell, the variances between the translations in this verse's case aren't critical, but we do make it a point to not use the Christian translations in any case. I mean, why would we?
 

Batya

Always Forward
One possibility:
"And My servant David shall be king over them, and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in Mine ordinances, and observe My statutes, and do them." (Mechon Mamre)
Another:
"My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws." (Sefaria)

As far as I can tell, the variances between the translations in this verse's case aren't critical, but we do make it a point to not use the Christian translations in any case. I mean, why would we?
Right, I understand. I just didn't know if there was a significant difference, as there are in some others, so thanks.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
ah, great point you have

part of the reason I didn’t want to comment on the word ‘servant’

i now see what you are looking for more clearly

it is quite an amazing story, the more one delves into it

i hope you are enjoying it

i am thankful to you for this thread
I am studying with the Witnesses a book based on Ezekiel's prophecy, and this scripture and application was being discussed, so I was wondering how a Jew would take it. But as I said, when I went to synagogue on a regular basis, I honestly thought Ezekiel was not Jewish. We never ever discussed him. It is to God that I am thankful. Thank you.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
There are two general understandings (and one slightly more esoteric one):
1. The future messianic king is called by the family to which he belongs, as a descendant of the Davidic dynasty
2. The future messiah will be called either "a David" (as a typology) or "David" (either as a given name or as a proper name appended to his name

3. This is a reference to the future resurrection of the actual David.

-------------
My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws.
That's what I was wondering. So you think it means David would be resurrected and be king, and the laws would be followed? Interesting to say the least.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
There are two general understandings (and one slightly more esoteric one):
1. The future messianic king is called by the family to which he belongs, as a descendant of the Davidic dynasty
2. The future messiah will be called either "a David" (as a typology) or "David" (either as a given name or as a proper name appended to his name

3. This is a reference to the future resurrection of the actual David.

-------------
My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws.
On the other hand, what an interesting thought that God's laws and rules would be faithfully followed under that rule of David. Literal David resurrected or not. :)
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
One possibility:
"And My servant David shall be king over them, and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in Mine ordinances, and observe My statutes, and do them." (Mechon Mamre)
Another:
"My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws." (Sefaria)

As far as I can tell, the variances between the translations in this verse's case aren't critical, but we do make it a point to not use the Christian translations in any case. I mean, why would we?
You view mechon mamre a good translation?
 

rosends

Well-Known Member
That's what I was wondering. So you think it means David would be resurrected and be king, and the laws would be followed? Interesting to say the least.
I don't recall saying that that option is what I think, but I do believe that laws continue to be followed and certain laws in the future will also be followed.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
I don't recall saying that that option is what I think, but I do believe that laws continue to be followed and certain laws in the future will also be followed.
That was a question asking you what you think. Thank you for answering. As I said, I went to synagogue for many years, never once heard anything about Ezekiel and his prophecies. I won't go any further with this now. Thank you.
 
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