King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Greedy dogs, never satisfied - such are the shepherds, unable to understand; they all turn to their own way, each one intent on his own gain:
Berean Standard Bible:
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:
American Standard Version:
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Yea, they are greedy{H5794}{H5315} dogs{H3611} which can{H3045} never have{H3045} enough{H7654}, and they are shepherds{H7462} that cannot understand{H995}: they all look{H6437} to their own way{H1870}, every one{H376} for his gain{H1215}, from his quarter{H7097}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ezekiel 34:2
- 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?
Ezekiel 34:3
- Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock.
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?
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.
Isaiah 1:3
- The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
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;
Revelation 22:15
- For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
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Commentary for Isaiah 56:11
Isaiah 56:11 is a verse from the Book of Isaiah, which is part of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible and the Jewish Tanakh. The verse serves as a harsh critique of the leaders of Israel during the prophet Isaiah's time, who were likely active during the 8th century BCE. These leaders are metaphorically described as "greedy dogs" and "shepherds [that] cannot understand," suggesting they are more interested in personal gain than in fulfilling their duties to care for and lead the people of Israel with integrity.
The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of Israel's moral and spiritual decline. Despite the covenant relationship that Israel had with God, the leaders had become corrupt, failing to uphold justice and righteousness. They were supposed to act as shepherds, guiding their flock (the people) with wisdom and care, but instead, they were self-serving, looking out only for their own interests and profits.
The themes of greed, ignorance, and a lack of accountability are central to this verse. The "greedy dogs" are never satisfied with what they have, always desiring more, while the "shepherds" are incapable or unwilling to comprehend the true needs of their people. This critique underscores a common prophetic theme in the Bible: the call for justice and the condemnation of those who exploit their positions of power for personal benefit at the expense of the vulnerable and the community as a whole.
In essence, Isaiah 56:11 condemns the moral bankruptcy of Israel's leaders and warns of the consequences of their actions, which contribute to the societal decay and ultimately lead to divine judgment. The verse calls for a return to the ethical and spiritual standards set by God, emphasizing that true leadership is marked by service, understanding, and a commitment to the well-being of others.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5794
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַז
Transliteration: ʻaz
Pronunciation: az
Description: from עָזַז; strong, vehement, harsh; fierce, [phrase] greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H3611
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּלֶב
Transliteration: keleb
Pronunciation: keh'-leb
Description: from an unused root means. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute; dog. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H7654
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׇׂבְעָה
Transliteration: sobʻâh
Pronunciation: sob-aw'
Description: feminine of שֹׂבַע; satiety; (to have) enough, [idiom] till...be full, (un-) satiable, satisfy, [idiom] sufficiently. - Strong's Number: H7462
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעָה
Transliteration: râʻâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend); [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. - Strong's Number: H995
There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּין
Transliteration: bîyn
Pronunciation: bene
Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). - Strong's Number: H6437
There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנָה
Transliteration: pânâh
Pronunciation: paw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H1215
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּצַע
Transliteration: betsaʻ
Pronunciation: beh'-tsah
Description: from בָּצַע; plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust); covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit. - Strong's Number: H7097
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָצֶה
Transliteration: qâtseh
Pronunciation: kaw-tseh'
Description: or (negative only) קֵצֶה; from קָצָה; (used in a great variety of applications and idioms; compare קֵץ); an extremity; [idiom] after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, (in-) finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, [idiom] some, ut(-ter-) most (part).