Ezekiel 34:6

4 You 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.

5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.

My 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.’

7 Therefore, 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,

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
My 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.’
KJV
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.
WEB
My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Yes, my sheep were scattered on all the surface of the earth. There was no one who searched or sought.”
ASV
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and there was none that did search or seek [after them].
DARBY
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill, and my sheep have been scattered upon all the face of the earth, and there was none that searched, or that sought for them.
BLB
My flock went astray through all the mountains, and on every high hill; and My flock was scattered over all the face of the earth, and there was not one searching or seeking [them].’
ÅB
Min flokk farer vill på alle fjell og på hver høy bakke, og over hele landet er min flokk spredt; det er ingen som spør, og ingen som leter etter den.
OTB
Min flokk vandret over alle fjellene og på hver høyde; de ble spredt over hele jorden, og ingen lette etter dem eller søkte dem.
B1930
Min hjord farer vill på alle fjell og på hver høi bakke, og over hele landet er min hjord spredt; det er ingen som spør, og ingen som leter efter den.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Peter 2:25

    For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 142:4

    Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 7:16

    The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.

    Read in context
  • John 10:16

    I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 40:11–12

    When all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, Edom, and all the other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them,

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 11:37–38

    They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 5:1

    “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 13:16

    Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.

    Read in context