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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 34:5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/34-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/26_Ezk_34_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 34:5 - A Prophecy Against Israel's Shepherds" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/34-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/34-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/34-4.htm" title="Ezekiel 34:4">◄</a> Ezekiel 34:5 <a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm" title="Ezekiel 34:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they were scattered, because <i>there is</i> no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they were scattered because <i>there was</i> no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every animal of the field and scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So they were scattered because there was no shepherd. When they were scattered, they became food for every wild animal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Because the sheep had no shepherd, they were scattered, and wild animals killed and ate them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Since they have no shepherd, they have been scattered around and have become prey for all sorts of wild animals. How scattered they are! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became food to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They were scattered, because there was no shepherd. They became food to all the animals of the field, and were scattered. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, "" And are for food to every beast of the field, "" Indeed, they are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they are scattered from want of a shepherd, And are for food to every beast of the field, Yea, they are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will be scattered from Without a shepherd: and they will be for consuming to all the beasts of the field, and they will be scattered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd. And they became devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, and they were dispersed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. They were scattered<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and scattered, they became food for all the wild animals.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And my sheep were scattered because they had no shepherd; and they became food for all the wild beasts of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And my sheep were scattered without a Shepherd, and they were food for every animal of the wilderness<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So were they scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And my sheep were scattered, because there were no shepherds: and they became meat to all the wild beasts of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=9984" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/34.htm">A Prophecy Against Israel's Shepherds</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">They were scattered</a> <a href="/hebrew/1097.htm" title="1097: mib·bə·lî (Prep-m:: Adv) -- From balah; properly, failure, i.e. Nothing or destruction; usually without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.">for lack of</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: rō·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">a shepherd,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">and when they were scattered</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tih·ye·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they became</a> <a href="/hebrew/402.htm" title="402: lə·’āḵ·lāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Food, eating. Feminine of 'Ukal; food.">food</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">for all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: haś·śā·ḏeh (Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">the wild</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yaṯ (N-fsc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">beasts.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>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.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-4</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Zechariah 11:16-17</a></span><br />For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a></span><br />When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-16</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9-12</a></span><br />Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. / Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / 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: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a></span><br />My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-7</a></span><br />“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a></span><br />Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a></span><br />For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-34.htm">Mark 6:34</a></span><br />When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-1.htm">Micah 3:1-3</a></span><br />Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? / You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28-29</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.</p><p class="hdg">they were</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm">Ezekiel 34:6</a></b></br> 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 <i>after them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/33-21.htm">Ezekiel 33:21,28</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth <i>month</i>, in the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-17.htm">1 Kings 22:17,17</a></b></br> And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace… </p><p class="hdg">because there is no shepherd.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Ezekiel 34:8</a></b></br> <i>As</i> 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 <i>there was</i> no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2,3</a></b></br> For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because <i>there was</i> no shepherd… </p><p class="hdg">and they became</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Ezekiel 34:8</a></b></br> <i>As</i> 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 <i>there was</i> no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">Isaiah 56:9</a></b></br> All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, <i>yea</i>, all ye beasts in the forest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/12-9.htm">Jeremiah 12:9-12</a></b></br> Mine heritage <i>is</i> unto me <i>as</i> a speckled bird, the birds round about <i>are</i> against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/34-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-11.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-3.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-27.htm">Field</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-3.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-23.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-17.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-25.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-4.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-23.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-26.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Want</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-21.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-21.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Field</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-12.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-8.htm">Shepherd</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-12.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-32.htm">Want</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-25.htm">Wild</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/34-1.htm">A reproof of the shepherds</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/34-7.htm">God's judgment against them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">His providence over his flock</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/34-20.htm">The kingdom of Christ</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/34.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They were scattered for lack of a shepherd</b><br>This phrase highlights the absence of leadership and guidance among the people of Israel. In biblical context, shepherds often symbolize leaders or kings, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a> and <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>, where God and Jesus are depicted as shepherds. The scattering of the people reflects the consequences of poor leadership, as seen in the historical context of Israel's exile. The shepherds, or leaders, failed to care for the flock, leading to their dispersion. This imagery is also prophetic, pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who would gather and care for His people, as prophesied in <a href="/ezekiel/34-23.htm">Ezekiel 34:23</a>.<p><b>and when they were scattered</b><br>The scattering of the people signifies the dispersion and exile of Israel due to their disobedience and the failure of their leaders. Historically, this refers to events like the Babylonian exile, where the Israelites were taken from their land. Theologically, scattering is often associated with judgment, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-64.htm">Deuteronomy 28:64</a>. However, it also sets the stage for eventual restoration, as God promises to regather His people, a theme echoed in <a href="/ezekiel/36-24.htm">Ezekiel 36:24</a> and fulfilled in the New Testament through the gathering of believers in Christ.<p><b>they became food for all the wild beasts</b><br>This phrase symbolizes vulnerability and danger faced by the Israelites in exile. In ancient Near Eastern culture, wild beasts often represented chaos and threat, as seen in <a href="/daniel/7-3.htm">Daniel 7:3-7</a>. The lack of protection from a shepherd left the people exposed to external threats, both physical and spiritual. This imagery underscores the need for a true shepherd, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who protects His flock from spiritual predators, as described in <a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a>. The phrase also serves as a warning against false leaders who fail to protect and nurture their people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherds.htm">Shepherds</a></b><br>Symbolic of leaders or rulers responsible for guiding and protecting the people of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were scattered due to the failure of their leaders.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wild_beasts.htm">Wild Beasts</a></b><br>Representing the dangers and adversaries that prey upon the unprotected and scattered people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context in which the Israelites were taken captive and scattered, highlighting their vulnerability.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_leadership.htm">The Responsibility of Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders are accountable for the spiritual and physical well-being of those they lead. Neglect leads to vulnerability and scattering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_divine_shepherding.htm">The Need for Divine Shepherding</a></b><br>Human leaders often fail, but God provides the ultimate shepherd in Jesus Christ, who cares for and gathers His flock.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/vulnerability_without_guidance.htm">Vulnerability Without Guidance</a></b><br>Without proper guidance and protection, people are susceptible to spiritual and moral dangers, akin to sheep among wild beasts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassion_and_restoration.htm">God's Compassion and Restoration</a></b><br>Despite human failure, God’s plan includes restoration and care for His people, emphasizing His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_faithful_service.htm">Call to Faithful Service</a></b><br>Believers are called to serve and protect one another, reflecting the heart of the Good Shepherd in their communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_angels_sin_in_sinless_heaven.htm">What does 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_34__judgment_inconsistencies.htm">Ezekiel 34 - Are there any inconsistencies with other prophetic books about how judgment is executed and who is held accountable?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'sheep_without_a_shepherd'.htm">What does "Sheep Without a Shepherd" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_some_bad_leaders_go_unpunished.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2: How can God condemn 'shepherds' who mislead the flock while, historically, many oppressive leaders seem to go unpunished?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">They were scattered, because</span>. . . .--The calamities of the people are attributed to the fault of the rulers, not because the people themselves were free from sin--the contrary has already been abundantly asserted in this book--but because the people's sins were largely due to the evil example, the idolatries, the oppressions, and the disobedience of their rulers.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they were scattered</span>. The words are an echo of <a href="/1_kings/22-17.htm">1 Kings 22:17</a>, and are, in their turn, echoed by <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a>. The words that follow paint the sufferings of the exiles who left their homes and were scattered among the heathen in the days of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. Of these the kings took no heed, and shut themselves up in the luxurious seclusion of their palace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They were scattered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּפוּצֶ֖ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for lack of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְּלִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bə·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a shepherd,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹעֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(rō·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and when they were scattered,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּפוּצֶֽינָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·p̄ū·ṣe·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they became</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tih·ye·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָכְלָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’āḵ·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_402.htm">Strong's 402: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, eating</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for all</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wild</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haś·śā·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beasts.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיַּ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/34-5.htm">Ezekiel 34:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/34-5.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:5 They were scattered because there was no (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/34-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 34:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 34:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/34-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 34:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 34:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>