Ezekiel 34:8
New International Version
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock,

New Living Translation
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve.

English Standard Version
As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep,

Berean Standard Bible
‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead,

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”—

New American Standard Bible
“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “certainly, because My flock has become plunder, and My flock has become food for all the animals of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock,

NASB 1995
“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock;

NASB 1977
“As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock;

Legacy Standard Bible
“As I live,” declares Lord Yahweh, “surely because My flock has become plunder, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not seek for My flock, but rather the shepherds shepherded themselves and did not shepherd My flock;

Amplified Bible
“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “certainly because My flock has become prey, My flock has even become food for every predator of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock;

Christian Standard Bible
As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As I live"—the declaration of the Lord GOD—"because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock,

American Standard Version
As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep;

English Revised Version
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became meat to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, because there is no shepherd, my sheep have become prey. My sheep have become food for every wild animal. My shepherds haven't searched for my sheep. They have taken care of only themselves, not my sheep.

Good News Translation
As surely as I am the living God, you had better listen to me. My sheep have been attacked by wild animals that killed and ate them because there was no shepherd. My shepherds did not try to find the sheep. They were taking care of themselves and not the sheep.

International Standard Version
As certainly as I'm alive and living, my sheep have truly become victims, food for all of the wild animals because there are no shepherds. My shepherds did not go searching for my flock. Instead, the shepherds fed themselves, and my flock they would not feed!'

Majority Standard Bible
?As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead,

NET Bible
As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, my sheep have become prey and have become food for all the wild beasts. There was no shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but fed themselves and did not feed my sheep,

New Heart English Bible
'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn't feed my sheep';

Webster's Bible Translation
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food 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;

World English Bible
“As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds didn’t search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn’t feed my sheep,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[As] I live—a declaration of Lord YHWH, "" If not, because of My flock being for a prey, "" Indeed, My flock is for food to every beast of the field, "" Because there is no shepherd, "" And My shepherds have not sought My flock, "" And the shepherds feed themselves, "" And they have not fed My flock.

Young's Literal Translation
I live -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, If not, because of My flock being for a prey, Yea, My flock is for food to every beast of the field, Because there is no shepherd, And My shepherds have not sought My flock, And the shepherds do feed themselves, And My flock they have not fed.

Smith's Literal Translation
I live, says the Lord Jehovah, if not my sheep were for plunder and my sheep will be for consuming to all the beasts of the field from no shepherd; and the shepherds sought not my sheep, and the shepherds will feed themselves, and my sheep they fed not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As I live, saith the Lord God, forasmuch as my flocks have been made a spoil, and my sheep are become a prey to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd: for my shepherds did not seek after my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flocks:

Catholic Public Domain Version
As I live, says the Lord God, since my flocks have become a prey, and my sheep have been devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, since there was no shepherd, for my shepherds did not seek my flock, but instead the shepherds fed themselves, and they did not feed my flocks:

New American Bible
As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—because my sheep became plunder, because my sheep became food for wild beasts, for lack of a shepherd, because my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep,

New Revised Standard Version
As I live, says the Lord GOD, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As I live, says the LORD God, because my flock became a prey and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd; neither did the shepherds feed my flocks, but the shepherds fed themselves and have not fed my flock;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
As I am alive, says THE LORD OF LORDS, because my sheep were for prey and my sheep were food for every animal of the wilderness which is without a Shepherd, and the Shepherds did not feed my sheep, but the Shepherds fed themselves and they did not feed my sheep
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely forasmuch as My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My sheep;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became meat to all the wild beasts of the field, because there were no shepherds, and the shepherds sought not out my sheep, and the shepherds fed themselves, but fed not my sheep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Prophecy Against Israel's Shepherds
7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead, 9therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!’…

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. ...

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. ...

Zechariah 11:4-17
This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter, / whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them. / For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” ...

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.

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: ...

Matthew 23:1-4
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: / “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ...

Jeremiah 50:6-7
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. / All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

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.

Acts 20:28-30
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. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

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.”

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

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.

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!’ ...

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.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.


Treasury of Scripture

As I live, said 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;

prey

Ezekiel 34:5,6,31
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered…

the shepherds

Ezekiel 34:2,3,10
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? …

Acts 20:33
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

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Ezekiel 34
1. A reproof of the shepherds
7. God's judgment against them
11. His providence over his flock
20. The kingdom of Christ














As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD,
This phrase emphasizes the certainty and authority of God's declaration. It is a solemn oath, underscoring the seriousness of the message. Similar expressions are found throughout the Old Testament, such as in Numbers 14:21 and Isaiah 49:18, where God swears by His own life, highlighting His unchanging nature and the reliability of His promises.

because My flock lacks a shepherd
The imagery of a flock without a shepherd is a common biblical metaphor for people without guidance or leadership. In the historical context, this refers to the leaders of Israel who failed to care for the people. The shepherd motif is prevalent in Scripture, with God often depicted as the ultimate Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). This also foreshadows Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, providing the care and leadership that was lacking.

and has become prey and food for every wild beast,
This phrase illustrates the vulnerability and danger faced by the people of Israel due to the absence of proper leadership. Wild beasts symbolize the surrounding nations and external threats that took advantage of Israel's weakened state. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic warnings, such as in Jeremiah 50:17, where Israel is described as scattered sheep devoured by lions.

and because My shepherds did not search for My flock
The shepherds, representing the leaders and priests of Israel, are criticized for their negligence. They failed in their duty to seek out and care for the people, leading to their dispersion and suffering. This neglect is condemned in other prophetic writings, such as in Jeremiah 23:1-2, where God promises to punish the shepherds who destroy and scatter His flock.

but fed themselves instead,
This phrase highlights the selfishness and corruption of the leaders, who prioritized their own needs over the welfare of the people. This self-serving behavior is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, as seen in Isaiah 56:11, where the leaders are described as greedy dogs who never have enough. This contrasts with the selfless nature of Christ, who came to serve and give His life for the sheep (Mark 10:45).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks with authority and judgment.

2. The Flock
Represents the people of Israel, God's chosen people, who are in need of guidance and protection.

3. Shepherds
Symbolic of the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for the spiritual and physical well-being of the people.

4. Wild Beasts
Metaphorically represents the enemies and oppressors of Israel who take advantage of the people's vulnerability.

5. Ezekiel
The prophet through whom God delivers this message, serving as a watchman for the house of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Responsibility of Leadership
Leaders are accountable to God for the care and guidance of those entrusted to them. Neglect and self-interest lead to judgment.

God's Compassion for His People
Despite the failure of human leaders, God remains committed to His people and will intervene to protect and restore them.

The Danger of Neglect
When leaders fail to fulfill their duties, the people suffer and become vulnerable to external threats.

Christ as the Ultimate Shepherd
Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect Shepherd, providing an example for all leaders to follow.

Call to Faithful Service
Believers are called to serve others selflessly, reflecting God's love and care in their communities.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
‘As surely as I
אָ֜נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

live,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

declares
נְאֻ֣ם ׀ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יְהוִ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

because
יַ֣עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

My flock
צֹאנִ֣י ׀ (ṣō·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

lacks
מֵאֵ֣ין (mê·’ên)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

a shepherd
רֹעֶ֔ה (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 has become
הֱיֽוֹת־ (hĕ·yō·wṯ-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

prey
לָבַ֡ז (lā·ḇaz)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 957: Spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty

[and]
צֹאנִ֨י (ṣō·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

food
לְאָכְלָ֜ה (lə·’āḵ·lāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 402: Food, eating

for every
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

wild
הַשָּׂדֶה֙ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

beast,
חַיַּ֤ת (ḥay·yaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and because My shepherds
רֹעַ֖י (rō·‘ay)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

search
דָרְשׁ֥וּ (ḏā·rə·šū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

for My flock
צֹאנִ֑י (ṣō·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

but fed
וַיִּרְע֤וּ (way·yir·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

themselves
אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

[instead],
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:8 As I live says the Lord Yahweh (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 34:7
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