Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. New Living Translation So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. English Standard Version So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; Berean Standard Bible They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. King James Bible And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. New King James Version So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. New American Standard Bible They scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every animal of the field and scattered. NASB 1995 “They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. NASB 1977 “And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. Legacy Standard Bible They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. Amplified Bible They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field. Christian Standard Bible They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. Holman Christian Standard Bible They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. American Standard Version And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. Contemporary English Version They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. English Revised Version And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. GOD'S WORD® Translation So they were scattered because there was no shepherd. When they were scattered, they became food for every wild animal. Good News Translation Because the sheep had no shepherd, they were scattered, and wild animals killed and ate them. International Standard Version "Since they have no shepherd, they have been scattered around and have become prey for all sorts of wild animals. How scattered they are! NET Bible They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast. New Heart English Bible They were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. Webster's Bible Translation And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became food to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. World English Bible They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they are scattered from want of a shepherd, "" And are for food to every beast of the field, "" Indeed, they are scattered. Young's Literal Translation And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, And are for food to every beast of the field, Yea, they are scattered. Smith's Literal Translation And they will be scattered from Without a shepherd: and they will be for consuming to all the beasts of the field, and they will be scattered. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. Catholic Public Domain Version And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd. And they became devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, and they were dispersed. New American Bible So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. They were scattered New Revised Standard Version So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and scattered, they became food for all the wild animals. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd my sheep were scattered because they had no shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts of the field. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And my sheep were scattered without a Shepherd, and they were food for every animal of the wilderness OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So were they scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. Brenton Septuagint Translation And my sheep were scattered, because there were no shepherds: and they became meat to all the wild beasts of the field. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Prophecy Against Israel's Shepherds…4You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. 6My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’… Cross References Jeremiah 23:1-4 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ... Zechariah 11:16-17 For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!” Matthew 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. John 10:11-16 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ... Isaiah 56:9-12 Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. / Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: ... Jeremiah 50:6 My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. Matthew 18:12-14 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. Luke 15:4-7 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ... 1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Zechariah 10:2 For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Jeremiah 10:21 For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. Mark 6:34 When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things. Micah 3:1-3 Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? / You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” Acts 20:28-29 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. Treasury of Scripture And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. they were Ezekiel 34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. Ezekiel 33:21,28 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten… 1 Kings 22:17,17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace… because there is no shepherd. Ezekiel 34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Zechariah 10:2,3 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd… and they became Ezekiel 34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. Jeremiah 12:9-12 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour… Jump to Previous Animals Beast Beasts Direction Field Food Keeper Lack Meat Scattered Shepherd Wandering Want WildJump to Next Animals Beast Beasts Direction Field Food Keeper Lack Meat Scattered Shepherd Wandering Want WildEzekiel 34 1. A reproof of the shepherds7. God's judgment against them 11. His providence over his flock 20. The kingdom of Christ They were scattered for lack of a shepherd This phrase highlights the absence of leadership and guidance among the people of Israel. In biblical context, shepherds often symbolize leaders or kings, as seen in passages like Psalm 23 and John 10:11, where God and Jesus are depicted as shepherds. The scattering of the people reflects the consequences of poor leadership, as seen in the historical context of Israel's exile. The shepherds, or leaders, failed to care for the flock, leading to their dispersion. This imagery is also prophetic, pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who would gather and care for His people, as prophesied in Ezekiel 34:23. and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. Shepherds Symbolic of leaders or rulers responsible for guiding and protecting the people of Israel. 3. Israelites The people of God who were scattered due to the failure of their leaders. 4. Wild Beasts Representing the dangers and adversaries that prey upon the unprotected and scattered people. 5. Babylonian Exile The historical context in which the Israelites were taken captive and scattered, highlighting their vulnerability. Teaching Points The Responsibility of LeadershipLeaders are accountable for the spiritual and physical well-being of those they lead. Neglect leads to vulnerability and scattering. The Need for Divine Shepherding Human leaders often fail, but God provides the ultimate shepherd in Jesus Christ, who cares for and gathers His flock. Vulnerability Without Guidance Without proper guidance and protection, people are susceptible to spiritual and moral dangers, akin to sheep among wild beasts. God's Compassion and Restoration Despite human failure, God’s plan includes restoration and care for His people, emphasizing His faithfulness. Call to Faithful Service Believers are called to serve and protect one another, reflecting the heart of the Good Shepherd in their communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 34:5?2. How does Ezekiel 34:5 illustrate the consequences of lacking godly leadership? 3. What responsibilities do leaders have to prevent scattering, as seen in Ezekiel 34:5? 4. How can we apply Ezekiel 34:5 to modern church leadership roles? 5. Which New Testament passages echo the themes found in Ezekiel 34:5? 6. How can believers ensure they are not "scattered" in their spiritual walk? 7. What does Ezekiel 34:5 reveal about God's view on leadership and responsibility? 8. How does Ezekiel 34:5 challenge our understanding of spiritual guidance? 9. What historical context influenced the message in Ezekiel 34:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 34? 11. What does 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' mean? 12. Ezekiel 34 - Are there any inconsistencies with other prophetic books about how judgment is executed and who is held accountable? 13. What does "Sheep Without a Shepherd" mean? 14. Jeremiah 23:1-2: How can God condemn 'shepherds' who mislead the flock while, historically, many oppressive leaders seem to go unpunished? What Does Ezekiel 34:5 Mean They were scattered“They were scattered…” (Ezekiel 34:5) paints a vivid picture of sheep drifting in every direction. The people of Israel had been dispersed—physically through exile and spiritually through wayward hearts. • Similar moments appear in Zechariah 13:7, where the flock is scattered when the shepherd is struck, and in Matthew 9:36, where Jesus sees crowds “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” • Scattering speaks of isolation, loss of identity, and the breakdown of covenant community life. Each individual is left to fend for himself, far from the safety of the fold God intended. for lack of a shepherd The root problem is leadership failure. God declares earlier in the chapter that Israel’s “shepherds” were feeding themselves instead of the flock (Ezekiel 34:2-4). • Numbers 27:17 voices Moses’ concern that Israel not be “like sheep without a shepherd.” • 1 Kings 22:17 and Jeremiah 23:1-2 echo judgment on uncaring leaders, while John 10:11-13 contrasts hirelings with the Good Shepherd who lays down His life. Without godly guidance, people drift from truth, protection, and provision. This verse exposes not merely unfortunate circumstances, but leadership that abdicated its God-given responsibility. and when they were scattered The repetition highlights consequence. Once scattering begins, it tends to deepen: distance fuels confusion, and confusion fuels further wandering. • Deuteronomy 28:64 warned that persistent disobedience would result in worldwide dispersion. • Ezekiel 34:6 shows the flock roaming “over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them.” • Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4 underscores the Shepherd’s heart to pursue every stray—something Israel’s human leaders had failed to do. they became food for all the wild beasts Vulnerable sheep attract predators. “Wild beasts” symbolize every oppressive power—foreign nations, idols, false teachers—that prey on God’s people. • Psalm 79:2 speaks of enemies feeding “the flesh of Your servants to the birds of the air.” • Acts 20:29 warns that “savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” • 1 Peter 5:8 describes the devil as a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” When shepherds neglect their post, evil crouches at the door, and the scattered become easy prey. summary Ezekiel 34:5 reveals a tragic chain reaction: absent shepherds lead to scattered sheep; scattered sheep invite predators. God’s people suffered because their leaders failed to guard, guide, and gather. Yet the passage also sets the stage for hope: later in the chapter the Lord Himself promises, “I will search for My sheep and seek them out” (34:11). The Good Shepherd still steps in where human shepherds fall short, restoring the scattered and protecting them from every wild beast. (5) They were scattered, because. . . .--The calamities of the people are attributed to the fault of the rulers, not because the people themselves were free from sin--the contrary has already been abundantly asserted in this book--but because the people's sins were largely due to the evil example, the idolatries, the oppressions, and the disobedience of their rulers.Verse 5. - And they were scattered. The words are an echo of 1 Kings 22:17, and are, in their turn, echoed by Matthew 9:36. The words that follow paint the sufferings of the exiles who left their homes and were scattered among the heathen in the days of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. Of these the kings took no heed, and shut themselves up in the luxurious seclusion of their palace.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They were scatteredוַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה (wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered for lack of מִבְּלִ֣י (mib·bə·lî) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as a shepherd, רֹעֶ֑ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with and when they were scattered, וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃ (wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered they became וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה (wat·tih·ye·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be food לְאָכְלָ֛ה (lə·’āḵ·lāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 402: Food, eating for all לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the wild הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land beasts. חַיַּ֥ת (ḥay·yaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life Links Ezekiel 34:5 NIVEzekiel 34:5 NLT Ezekiel 34:5 ESV Ezekiel 34:5 NASB Ezekiel 34:5 KJV Ezekiel 34:5 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 34:5 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 34:5 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 34:5 French Bible Ezekiel 34:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:5 They were scattered because there was no (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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