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Ezekiel 34:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 34:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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;
Ezekiel 34:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
9therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:
10Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.
11For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
← Ezekiel 34:7Ezekiel 34:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“As I live, saith the Lord, &c.] It is an oath, and which he swore in his wrath, being provoked with the shepherds for their misadministration: surely, because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd; a prey to all the kingdoms of the people, being without a governor, as the Targum; or to false teachers, there being no spiritual pastors to take care of them: neither did my shepherds search for my flock; that was scattered, and carried captive, and became a prey to others; even those that were of God’s appointing, as the kings of Israel, their priests and prophets; for both their civil polity and ecclesiastical hierarchy were…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“prey: Eze 34:5, Eze 34:6, Eze 34:31 the shepherds: Eze 34:2, Eze 34:3, Eze 34:10, Eze 34:18; Act 20:33; Co1 9:15; Pe2 2:13; Jde 1:12 Ezekiel 34:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification