Ezekiel 34:8

6 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:

‘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,

9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!’

10 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

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
‘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,
KJV
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;
WEB
“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, and my shepherds didn’t search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn’t feed my sheep,
ASV
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;
DARBY
[As] I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, verily because my sheep have been a prey, and my sheep have been meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds searched not for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock,
BLB
‘[As] I live—a declaration of the Lord YHWH—surely because My flock became as prey, and My flock became as food for every beast of the field, for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search [for] My flock, and the shepherds shepherded themselves, and My flock they did not feed.
ÅB
Så sant jeg lever, sier Herren, Israels Gud, sannelig, siden min flokk er blitt til rov, og den er blitt til føde for alle markens ville dyr, fordi den var uten hyrde, og mine hyrder ikke spurte etter min flokk, men hyrdene røktet seg selv og ikke røktet min flokk -
OTB
Så sant jeg lever, sier den suverene Herren, fordi min flokk har blitt plyndret og mat for alle de ville dyrene, og fordi mine hyrder ikke lette etter min flokk, men tok seg av seg selv i stedet for min flokk,
B1930
Så sant jeg lever, sier Herren, Israels Gud, sannelig, siden min hjord er blitt til rov, og den er blitt til føde for alle markens ville dyr, fordi den var uten hyrde, og mine hyrder ikke spurte efter min hjord, men hyrdene røktet sig selv og ikke røktet min hjord -

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Peter 2:13

    The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:18

    Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 9:15

    But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:12

    These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:2–3

    “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:10

    This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:31

    ‘You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:5–6

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

    Read in context