“I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse paints a picture of ultimate security, not just in safe homes, but even in the wildest, most dangerous places like the wilderness and deep woods. This radical safety is a sign that the "covenant of peace" God makes isn't just about a lack of conflict, but a complete transformation of the environment itself.
“I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is speaking through Ezekiel to condemn the greedy and corrupt shepherds of Israel who have exploited and harmed His people. He promises to remove these false shepherds and to personally care for His flock, acting as their true Shepherd. This verse is part of that promise, revealing the secure and peaceful future God intends for His people under His direct care.
God doesn't just offer a temporary fix; He establishes something enduring. What does a 'covenant of peace' truly mean?
When God speaks of a 'covenant of peace,' it's more than just an absence of conflict.
A Deeper Peace
This covenant is rooted in the idea of God's promises, bringing not just outward tranquility but 'all good,' as one commentator put it. It signifies reconciliation, a mending of the relationship between God and His people, and also between people themselves.
The Ultimate Peacemaker
This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace, through whom we receive glory to God in the highest and peace on earth. This covenant secures everlasting peace by removing all that would harm or disturb us, both internally and externally.
The promise includes removing threats. Who or what are these 'wild beasts,' and what does their removal signify?
The 'evil beasts' mentioned are not always literal animals. While the land may have been physically overrun by wild creatures after desolation, the context points to more.
Figurative Foes
These 'beasts' often represent the enemies and oppressors who have plagued God's people—like the Chaldeans, Edomites, or Philistines. They are the forces that threaten security and well-being. In a spiritual sense, they can also symbolize false teachers or wicked individuals who harm the flock.
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Christ's Victory
This promise assures us that Christ, our Good Shepherd, will ultimately cleanse His church and destroy the power of those who would harm us. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, signifying a future state where there is no one to hurt or destroy.
Imagine sleeping soundly in the wilderness or woods! What does this image of ultimate safety tell us about God's protection?
The promise culminates in a picture of absolute security: dwelling and sleeping safely even in the wilderness and woods – places typically fraught with danger.
Beyond Literal Safety
This isn't just about physical safety from predators. It represents a profound peace that allows for rest and vulnerability even in the most exposed or untamed environments. It signifies freedom from fear, where one can truly relax and be at peace.
Present and Future Reality
While this promise points to a future, perfect kingdom, it also offers a foretaste of the security we can experience now. When delivered from spiritual enemies and serving God without fear, we can find profound rest. This peace allows us to dwell securely, trusting in our Shepherd's protection.
Understand the original words
berith · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and His people, established by His grace, characterized by promises of protection, presence, and relationship.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A state of wholeness, harmony, welfare, and prosperity granted by God, signifying the reconciliation between God and man and the absence of conflict.
betach · Hebrew Adverb/Noun
A state of safety, freedom from fear, and confidence in God’s protection, often contrasted with the vulnerability of being exposed to enemies.
This prophecy speaks to the devastating reality of the Babylonian exile, where the land was left vulnerable and the people longed for security. Ezekiel's vision of peace, security, and the cessation of 'wild beasts' offers a powerful contrast to their present suffering and looks forward to a future restoration under God's renewed covenant.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many of its people. This event marks a significant loss of territory and sovereignty for the Israelites.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the First Temple, and exiles a significant portion of the population to Babylon. This devastating event leaves the land of Judah desolate and vulnerable.
c. 580-570 BC
Ezekiel's Ministry in Exile
Ezekiel, a priest exiled to Babylon, delivers prophecies of judgment and restoration to the remaining exiles. This verse is part of his message of hope amidst despair, promising future peace and security.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This conquest paves the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
This passage directly echoes Ezekiel's promise of peace, stating, 'I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.' It establishes the ancient foundation for this covenant of safety.
Isaiah 11:6-9This prophetic vision beautifully complements Ezekiel's imagery of peace by describing a future kingdom where even natural enemies coexist peacefully, like the wolf and the lamb, illustrating the profound disruption of fear and danger.
Hosea 2:18Hosea foretells a similar covenant of peace where God declares, 'I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field... and I will make them lie down securely.' This reinforces the theme of God's protective power over His people and the natural world.
Jeremiah 31:31-34While Ezekiel speaks of a 'covenant of peace,' Jeremiah details the 'new covenant' established not on outward peace alone, but on internal transformation and forgiveness, providing a deeper understanding of the spiritual underpinnings of this promised security.
Ezekiel 28:26This verse speaks of Israel dwelling 'securely' in their own land after God's judgment on their oppressors, which resonates with Ezekiel 34:25's promise of secure dwelling, highlighting the removal of threats as a key element of God's covenant.
pulpitEzekiel 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."
Verse 25. - I will make with them a servant of peace. The whole verse is an echo of Leviticus 26:6, in part also of Hosea 2:20 [English version, ver. 18]. The words are less definite as to the nature of the covenant than those of Jeremiah 31:31, but probably the same thought underlies both. Sins are pardon…
jfbEzekiel 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."
- covenant of peace … evil beasts … to cease … dwell safely—The original promise of the law (Le 26:6) shall be realized for the first time fully under Messiah (Isa 11:6-9; 35:9; Ho 2:18).
The verse paints a picture of ultimate security, not just in safe homes, but even in the wildest, most dangerous places like the wilderness and deep woods. This radical safety is a sign that the "covenant of peace" God makes isn't just about a lack of conflict, but a complete transformation of the environment itself.
God is speaking through Ezekiel to condemn the greedy and corrupt shepherds of Israel who have exploited and harmed His people. He promises to remove these false shepherds and to personally care for His flock, acting as their true Shepherd. This verse is part of that promise, revealing the secure and peaceful future God intends for His people under His direct care.
God is speaking through Ezekiel to condemn the greedy and corrupt shepherds of Israel who have exploited and harmed His people. He promises to remove these false shepherds and to personally care for His flock, acting as their true Shepherd. This verse is part of that promise, revealing the secure and peaceful future God intends for His people under His direct care.
"“I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods." — The verse paints a picture of ultimate security, not just in safe homes, but even in the wildest, most dangerous places like the wilderness and deep woods. This radical safety is a sign that the "cov…
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Last reviewed October 2026