BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 34› Verse 5

Ezekiel 34:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 34:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
Ezekiel 34:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
3Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep.
4The 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 back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them.
5And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
6My 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].
7Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:
8As 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;
← Ezekiel 34:4Ezekiel 34:6 →
← Full Chapter 34 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they were scattered because there is no shepherd, &c.] No good one; there were shepherds, but they were idol shepherds, good for nothing, and it was all one as if there were none: so, in Christ’s time, there were the Scribes and Pharisees; yet, since these did not feed the people with wholesome doctrine, they are said to be as sheep without a shepherd, and scattered abroad, as here from the fold, and from one another; dispersed here and there, seeking food, and none, which moved his compassion, (<400936>Matthew 9:36), in the political sense it may refer to their captivity, and their dispersion among the nations, having no king: So the Targum, “and they were scattered without a governor.”…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“scattered, because . . . no shepherd--that is, none worthy of the name, though there were some called shepherds (Kg1 22:17; Mat 9:36). Compare Mat 26:31, where the sheep were scattered when the true Shepherd was smitten. God calls them "My sheep"; for they were not, as the shepherds treated them, their patrimony whereby to "feed themselves." meat to all . . . beasts--They became a prey to the Syrians, Ammon, Moab, and Assyria.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“No shepherd - No vigilant, faithful shepherd. Became meat - Were made a prey of, and devoured by all their neighbours. Ezekiel 34:12”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they were: Eze 34:6, Eze 33:21, Eze 33:28; Kg1 22:17; Ch2 18:16; Jer 23:2, Jer 50:6, Jer 50:17; Zac 13:7; Mat 9:36 because there is no shepherd: or, without a shepherd, and so Eze 34:8; Zac 10:2, Zac 10:3 and they became: Eze 34:8; Isa 56:9; Jer 12:9-12; Joh 10:2; Act 20:29-31 Ezekiel 34:6”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 34 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification