I will make with them a covenant of peace: A covenant is an “agreement” (New Century Version; see the comments on 16.8), and in this case the Hebrew makes it clear that it is a one-sided agreement, made by a more powerful party for the benefit of the less powerful party. Translators will do well to try to reflect this (compare Contemporary English Version “I solemnly promise that they will live in peace”). The Hebrew word for peace (shalom) does not mean simply the absence of war, but the total security and well-being of the people. As well as physical well-being (for example, enough to eat and safe places to live), this peace involves harmony within the community and with God. Renderings that reflect this meaning well are “security” (Good News Translation), “peace and prosperity” (Revised English Bible), and “peace and safety” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Translators may express this clause as “I will solemnly promise them that they will live in peace and safety.” The rest of this verse and the next four verses list some of the aspects of this understanding of peace.

And banish wild beasts from the land means God will remove harmful wild animals from the land of Israel. New Living Translation says “and drive away the dangerous animals from the land,” Contemporary English Version has “I will chase away every wild animal,” and New International Reader’s Version translates “I will get rid of the wild animals in the land.”

So that they may dwell securely in the wilderness: God will get rid of the dangerous animals so that the sheep may dwell securely, that is, “live safely” (Good News Translation, New International Reader’s Version, New Century Version) and “not be afraid” (Contemporary English Version). The wilderness refers to the dry area to the south of Jerusalem where no one lived and where dangerous wild animals roamed (see 6.14). This clause may be rendered “so that they will be able to live safely in the areas where now there are no people.”

And sleep in the woods: When all the dangerous animals are gone, the sheep will be so safe that they can sleep in the woods, that is, “the forests” (Good News Translation, New International Reader’s Version), instead of the safety of a sheepfold. Many languages will render this clause as “and they will be able to sleep safely in the bush.” Although the picture of the sheep continues, it really refers to God’s people.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .