Ezekiel 20:36-38
20:36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the sovereign Lord.
20:37 I will make you pass under 1 the shepherd’s staff, 2 and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
20:38 I will eliminate from among you the rebels and those who revolt 3 against me. I will bring them out from the land where they have been residing, but they will not come to the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
1 tn This is the same Hebrew verb used to describe the passing of the children through the fire.
2 sn The metaphor may be based in Lev 27:32 (see also Jer 33:13; Matt 25:32-33). A shepherd would count his sheep as they passed beneath his staff.
3 tn See the note at 2:3.