Ezekiel 34:8

[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because [there was] no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;

As I live {H2416}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, surely because my flock {H6629} became a prey {H957}, and my flock {H6629} became meat {H402} to every beast {H2416} of the field {H7704}, because there was no shepherd {H7462}, neither did my shepherds {H7462} search {H1875} for my flock {H6629}, but the shepherds {H7462} fed {H7462} themselves, and fed {H7462} not my flock {H6629};

"As I live," Adonai ELOHIM swears, "because my sheep have become prey, my sheep have become food for every wild animal, since there was no shepherd, since my shepherds didn't look for my sheep, and instead my shepherds fed themselves but not my sheep,"

‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead,

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;

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 34:8 (KJV)

Ezekiel 34:8 is a powerful declaration from God, delivered through the prophet Ezekiel, condemning the corrupt and negligent leaders of Israel. This verse, opened with a solemn divine oath, lays bare the core failure of those entrusted with the care of God's people.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, a period when the people of Israel were scattered and suffering due to their disobedience and, significantly, the failure of their spiritual and political leaders. Chapter 34 of Ezekiel is a direct indictment of these "shepherds" (kings, priests, and other influential figures) who, instead of protecting and nourishing God's "flock" (Israel), exploited them. God here pronounces judgment against these negligent leaders, setting the stage for His promise to become the true Shepherd of His people. This prophetic message offers both condemnation and a glimpse of future restoration under a righteous leader.

Key Themes

  • Divine Accountability: The verse begins with "As I live, saith the Lord GOD," a profound divine oath emphasizing the absolute certainty and gravity of God's words. It underscores that God holds leaders directly accountable for the welfare of those under their charge.
  • Neglect and Exploitation: The primary accusation is that the shepherds failed to protect and care for the flock. Instead of searching for the lost or tending to the vulnerable, they allowed the flock to "become a prey, and ... meat to every beast of the field," symbolizing the suffering inflicted by hostile nations or internal destructive forces.
  • Self-Serving Leadership: The most damning charge is that "the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock." This highlights the sin of self-interest and greed, where leaders prioritized personal gain and comfort over the well-being and spiritual nourishment of the people they were meant to serve. This stands in stark contrast to the selfless care expected of true shepherds.
  • God's Ownership of His Flock: The repeated phrase "my flock" emphasizes that the people of Israel belong to God, not to their human leaders. This divine ownership is the basis for God's indignation and His eventual intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "As I live" (Hebrew: Chai ani - חַי אָנִי), is a strong oath used by God to underscore the absolute truth and certainty of His declaration. It means, "By my very life." The term "shepherds" (Hebrew: ro'im - רֹעִים) in this context refers broadly to all those in positions of authority—whether political rulers, religious leaders, or elders—who were responsible for guiding and protecting the nation. The imagery of sheep and shepherds was common in ancient Near Eastern cultures to describe the relationship between rulers and their subjects.

Related Scriptures

This condemnation of false shepherds finds echoes throughout Scripture. The failure of these leaders led to Israel being "scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them" (Ezekiel 34:6). This neglect stands in stark contrast to the character of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who lays down His life for the sheep. The prophet Zechariah also speaks of "worthless shepherds" who do not care for the flock (Zechariah 11:17). New Testament passages like 1 Peter 5:2 admonish spiritual leaders to "feed the flock of God... not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind," directly contrasting with the self-serving shepherds of Ezekiel's day.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 34:8 remains profoundly relevant today. It serves as a powerful reminder for all leaders—in churches, governments, businesses, and families—that their primary responsibility is to serve and protect those entrusted to their care, not to enrich themselves or pursue personal ambition. For followers, this verse encourages discernment, urging them to recognize and reject leaders who are self-serving rather than genuinely caring. Ultimately, it points to God's deep concern for His people and His promise to intervene when human leadership fails, assuring that He will ultimately be the one who cares for His flock (Ezekiel 34:11).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Peter 2:13

    And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

  • Ezekiel 34:18

    [Seemeth it] a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

  • Ezekiel 34:31

    And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, [are] men, [and] I [am] your God, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 34:10

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

  • Acts 20:33

    I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:15

    ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

  • Ezekiel 34:5

    And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.