Isaiah 56:11

9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

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
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:
KJV
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
WEB
Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
ASV
Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
DARBY
and the dogs are greedy, they know not to be satisfied, and these are shepherds that know not how to discern: they all turn to their own way, every one for his gain, even to the last of them:
BLB
And these dogs [are] strong of appetite; they do not know satisfaction; and they [are] shepherds not knowing discernment; they all turn to their own way, each man for his own gain from his quarter.
ÅB
de er grådige hunder, de blir aldri mette. De er hyrder som ikke forstår å gi akt; alle sammen har de vendt seg til sin egen vei, hver til sin egen vinning, fra den første til den siste.
OTB
Hundene er glupske, de blir aldri mette. De er hyrder som mangler forståelse; de har alle vendt seg til sin egen vei, hver søker sin egen vinning.
B1930
de er grådige hunder, de blir aldri mette. De er hyrder som ikke forstår å gi akt; alle sammen har de vendt sig til sin egen vei, hver til sin egen vinning, fra den første til den siste.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 34:2–3

    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?

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 13:19

    And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

    Read in context
  • John 8:43

    Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

    Read in context
  • Micah 3:11

    The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

    Read in context
  • Micah 3:5–6

    Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 11:15–17

    And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

    Read in context
  • Titus 1:7

    For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

    Read in context
  • Revelation 22:15

    For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

    Read in context