Ezekiel 34:6

KJV

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after them].

KJV (with Strong's)

My sheep {H6629} wandered {H7686} through all the mountains {H2022}, and upon every high {H7311} hill {H1389}: yea, my flock {H6629} was scattered {H6327} upon all the face {H6440} of the earth {H776}, and none did search {H1875} or seek {H1245} after them.

Complete Jewish Bible

My sheep wandered around aimlessly on every mountain and hill; yes, my sheep were scattered all over the land, with no one to search for them or look after them.

Berean Standard Bible

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.’

American Standard Version

My 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 34:6 vividly portrays the desolate condition of God's people, Israel, during a period of profound spiritual and national disarray. Through the powerful metaphor of scattered sheep, the verse condemns the negligent leadership of Israel's "shepherds" (kings, priests, and elders) who failed to care for the flock, resulting in widespread wandering, vulnerability, and abandonment across the land. This lament sets the stage for God's subsequent declaration of His own intention to act as the true and faithful Shepherd of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 34 opens with a scathing indictment against the "shepherds of Israel" (Ezekiel 34:2), who are explicitly identified as the nation's leaders. The preceding chapters in Ezekiel have detailed God's judgment against Jerusalem and the surrounding nations, emphasizing the consequences of Israel's idolatry and rebellion. Chapter 34 shifts focus to the internal failure of leadership, contrasting their self-serving behavior with their divine mandate to care for God's flock. Verse 6 serves as a climactic description of the disastrous outcome of this negligence, directly preceding God's declaration that He Himself will "search for My sheep and seek them out" [Ezekiel 34:11](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11 - God's Promise to Seek His Sheep"). This chapter is pivotal, moving from condemnation to a promise of divine intervention and restoration, culminating in the prophecy of a new covenant and a true Shepherd, David, who will feed them [Ezekiel 34:23-24](/ezekiel/34-23 "Ezekiel 34:23-24 - The Davidic Shepherd").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period when many Judeans had been forcibly removed from their homeland. This physical scattering was a direct consequence of the nation's sin and the failure of its leaders to guide them in righteousness. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the shepherd was a common metaphor for kings and leaders, symbolizing their responsibility to protect, guide, and provide for their people. The imagery of sheep wandering "through all the mountains, and upon every high hill" [Ezekiel 34:6](/ezekiel/34-6 "Ezekiel 34:6 - The Scattered Flock") would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society familiar with the dangers faced by unsupervised flocks—predators, lack of pasture, and getting lost in rugged terrain. The "face of the earth" refers to the entire land of Israel and beyond, signifying the complete dispersion of the people due to invasion and exile, leaving them vulnerable and without proper spiritual or political direction.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 34:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Negligent Leadership**, highlighting the devastating consequences when those in authority prioritize self-gain over the well-being of their charges. The leaders' failure to "search or seek" [Ezekiel 34:6](/ezekiel/34-6 "Ezekiel 34:6 - The Scattered Flock") stands in stark contrast to God's own active pursuit of His people later in the chapter. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Enduring Sovereignty and Ownership**, as He repeatedly refers to the scattered people as "My sheep" and "My flock," asserting His covenant relationship despite their dire state. This divine ownership provides the basis for His promised intervention. Finally, the verse vividly portrays **Spiritual and Physical Scattering**, illustrating the disorientation, vulnerability, and exposure to danger that results from a lack of faithful guidance, leading to both physical dispersion (exile) and spiritual straying (idolatry and sin), a recurring motif throughout the prophetic literature, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Prophecy Against False Shepherds").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sheep (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** This collective noun refers to a flock of sheep or goats, but here it is used figuratively for the people of Israel. It emphasizes their dependence, vulnerability, and the expectation of being led and cared for by a shepherd. The use of "My sheep" underscores God's personal ownership and intimate relationship with His people, even in their scattered state.
* **Wandered (Hebrew, _shâgâh'_):** A primitive root meaning to stray, go astray, err, or be led astray. It implies a lack of direction, a deviation from the right path, and often carries a moral connotation of sinning through ignorance or being deceived. In this context, it highlights the spiritual and physical disorientation of Israel due to the absence of proper guidance.
* **Search (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** A primitive root meaning to tread or frequent, but more commonly, to follow (for pursuit or search), to seek or ask, and specifically to worship. Here, it denotes an active, diligent effort to find and care for something. The statement "none did search" emphasizes the complete dereliction of duty by the false shepherds, who made no effort to recover or tend to the lost.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill:"** This clause paints a vivid picture of extreme disorientation and vulnerability. The imagery of "mountains" and "high hills" suggests rugged, dangerous, and exposed terrain, where sheep are easily lost, susceptible to predators, and far from their pasture or fold. It metaphorically represents the spiritual and moral straying of Israel, venturing into places of danger and idolatry, without the protective guidance of their leaders.
* **"yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth,"** This expands on the previous image, emphasizing the widespread and complete dispersion of the people. "Scattered" implies a violent breaking apart or dispersal, highlighting the fragmentation of the community. "All the face of the earth" signifies the global reach of their dispersion, encompassing both the physical reality of exile and the spiritual reality of their disunity and lack of a central, guiding authority.
* **"and none did search or seek [after them]."** This final phrase delivers the damning indictment against the shepherds. It highlights their utter negligence and lack of pastoral care. The absence of any effort to "search or seek" underscores the leaders' apathy and self-interest, contrasting sharply with the expected role of a true shepherd who diligently pursues lost sheep. This abandonment leaves the flock utterly vulnerable and without hope of recovery from human effort.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 34:6 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily using the extended metaphor of "sheep" to represent the people of Israel and "shepherds" to represent their leaders. This device effectively conveys the vulnerability and dependence of the people, and the grave responsibility of those in authority. The imagery of wandering "through all the mountains, and upon every high hill" and being "scattered upon all the face of the earth" employs powerful **Hyperbole** and **Imagery** to emphasize the extreme extent of Israel's dispersion and disorientation, both physically (exile) and spiritually (straying from God). The phrase "none did search or seek [after them]" is an example of **Litotes** (understatement for emphasis), subtly highlighting the profound and shocking absence of care by those who should have provided it, thereby amplifying the leaders' culpability. The repetition of "My sheep" and "My flock" throughout the chapter, including this verse, serves as a form of **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, reinforcing God's enduring claim and concern for His people despite their condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 34:6 lays bare the tragic consequences of failed human leadership within God's covenant community, setting the stage for one of the most profound theological truths in the Old Testament: God Himself will intervene to shepherd His people. The verse underscores the divine expectation for leaders to be faithful stewards, reflecting God's own character of care and provision. When human shepherds fail, God's justice demands accountability, but His mercy also compels Him to act directly. This passage highlights the theme of divine initiative in redemption, where God steps in to accomplish what human agents have utterly failed to do, promising to gather, feed, and protect His scattered flock. It also foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect, divine Shepherd.

* [Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Woe to the Shepherds")
* [Zechariah 11:15-17](/zechariah/11-15 "Zechariah 11:15-17 - The Worthless Shepherd")
* [Psalm 23:1-3](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is My Shepherd")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 34:6 serves as a powerful mirror for both leaders and individuals in any generation. For those in positions of spiritual or temporal authority, it is a sobering reminder of the profound responsibility to genuinely care for the well-being of those entrusted to them, prioritizing their needs over personal gain or comfort. The consequences of negligence are dire, leading to disorientation, vulnerability, and scattering among the flock. For individuals, this verse resonates with the experience of feeling lost, abandoned, or spiritually adrift. It reminds us that our wandering is seen by God, and even when human systems fail, God's ownership ("My sheep," "My flock") remains. This recognition of our vulnerability and God's enduring claim on us should drive us to seek out true spiritual nourishment and guidance, ultimately turning to the one Shepherd who never fails. It also calls the church to embody the heart of God, actively seeking the lost and caring for the hurting, rather than exploiting or neglecting them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or leaders I know, be inadvertently acting as "false shepherds" by prioritizing personal gain or comfort over the true needs of others?**
* **When have I felt like a "scattered sheep," and how did God's presence or provision become evident in that time of disorientation?**
* **How can our local church or community better embody the diligent "search and seek" heart of God for those who are lost, hurting, or marginalized?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am being a responsible "sheep" by seeking out faithful guidance and remaining connected to the true Shepherd?**

### FAQ
**What does "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill" mean metaphorically?**

Answer: This vivid imagery metaphorically describes the spiritual and physical state of the people of Israel. "My sheep" refers to God's chosen people. Their "wandering through all the mountains, and upon every high hill" signifies their profound spiritual disorientation, straying from God's covenant path into idolatry and sin, often associated with pagan worship sites on high places. It also reflects their physical dispersion and vulnerability due to the Babylonian exile, where they were scattered across foreign lands without proper guidance or protection, much like lost sheep in dangerous terrain. The phrase highlights the complete failure of their human leaders to provide faithful direction and care, leaving the flock exposed and lost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 34:6, with its lament over the scattered and neglected flock, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's indictment of failed human shepherds sets the stage for the arrival of the Divine Shepherd, promised by God Himself in the very same chapter [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God's Promise to Shepherd His Flock"). Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the "Good Shepherd" in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd"), contrasting His selfless, sacrificial love with the mercenary nature of the "hired hand" who abandons the sheep. Unlike the negligent shepherds of Ezekiel's day who "did not search or seek" their lost flock, Jesus actively came to "seek and to save the lost" [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek the Lost"), demonstrating His commitment by laying down His life for His sheep [John 10:15](/john/10-15 "John 10:15 - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life"). His ministry was characterized by gathering the scattered, healing the sick, strengthening the weak, and bringing back those who had gone astray, perfectly fulfilling the divine promise to care for His flock. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus provides the ultimate pasture and security, ensuring that none of His sheep will perish [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"). He is the true Shepherd who gathers the scattered children of God [John 11:52](/john/11-52 "John 11:52 - Jesus Gathers the Scattered Children of God") and leads them to eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 142:4

¶ I looked on [my] right hand, and beheld, but [there was] no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Jeremiah 40:11

Likewise when all the Jews that [were] in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that [were] in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;

Jeremiah 40:12

Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

John 10:16

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

Ezekiel 7:16

¶ But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.

Hebrews 11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;