Ezekiel 34:5

³ Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

⁴ The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

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.

⁷ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.
KJV: And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
WEB: They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered.
ASV: And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
DARBY: And they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
BLB: And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became as food for all the beasts of the field; indeed, they were scattered.

ÅB: Og slik ble de adspredt, fordi de ingen hyrde hadde; de ble til føde for alle markens ville dyr og ble adspredt.
OTB: Så de ble spredt på grunn av mangel på en hyrde, og når de ble spredt, ble de mat for alle de ville dyrene.
B1930: Og således blev de adspredt, fordi de ingen hyrde hadde; de blev til føde for alle markens ville dyr og blev adspredt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Matthew 9:36
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 18:16
Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
Read in context
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;
Read in context
Jeremiah 23:2
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Read in context
1 Kings 22:17
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.
Read in context
Isaiah 56:9
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
Read in context
Acts 20:29–31
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Read in context
Jeremiah 50:17
Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Read in context