Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
the Wednesday after Christmas
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

Ezekiel 34:2

Ezekiel, son of man, Israel's leaders are like shepherds taking care of my sheep, the people of Israel. But I want you to condemn these leaders and tell them: I, the Lord God, say you shepherds of Israel are doomed! You take care of yourselves while ignoring my sheep.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Levites;   Minister, Christian;   Rulers;   Thompson Chain Reference - False;   Flock, God's;   Leaders;   Religious;   Shepherds;   Starving the Flock;   The Topic Concordance - Israel/jews;   Shepherds/pastors;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Shepherds;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Destroy, Destruction;   Flock;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Shepherd;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ezekiel;   Pastor;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ezekiel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Shepherd;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Pastor;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ezekiel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock?
Hebrew Names Version
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Yisra'el, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Yisra'el who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep?
King James Version
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?
English Standard Version
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God : Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
New American Standard Bible
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should the shepherds not feed the flock?
New Century Version
"Human, prophesy against the leaders of Israel, who are like shepherds. Prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord God says: How terrible it will be for the shepherds of Israel who feed only themselves! Why don't the shepherds feed the flock?
Amplified Bible
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, the [spiritual] shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe (judgment is coming) to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
Geneva Bible (1587)
Sonne of man, prophesie against the shepherdes of Israel, prophesie & say vnto them, Thus saieth the Lord God vnto the shepherds, Wo be vnto the shepherds of Israel, yt feede them selues: should not the shepherds feede the flockes?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
Legacy Standard Bible
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, "Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been shepherding themselves! Should not the shepherds shepherd the flock?
Berean Standard Bible
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock?
Complete Jewish Bible
"Human being, prophesy against the shepherds of Isra'el. Prophesy! Tell them, the shepherds, that Adonai Elohim says this: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Isra'el who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep?
Darby Translation
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy; and say unto them, unto the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
Easy-to-Read Version
"Son of man, speak against the shepherds of Israel for me. Speak to them for me. Tell them that this is what the Lord God says: ‘You shepherds of Israel have only been feeding yourselves. It will be very bad for you! Why don't you shepherds feed the flock?
George Lamsa Translation
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, O shepherds, thus says the LORD God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed them! These shepherds do not feed the flock.
Good News Translation
"Mortal man," he said, "denounce the rulers of Israel. Prophesy to them, and tell them what I, the Sovereign Lord , say to them: You are doomed, you shepherds of Israel! You take care of yourselves, but never tend the sheep.
Lexham English Bible
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and you must say to them, to the shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who were feeding themselves! Must not the shepherds feed the flock?
Literal Translation
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, to the shepherds, So says the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who are feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Thou sonne off ma, prophecye agaynst the shepherdes of Israel, prophecy, and speake vnto them: Thus saieth the LORDE God: Wo be vnto the shepherdes off Israel, that fede them selues. Shulde not the shepherdes fede ye flockes?
American Standard Version
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
Bible in Basic English
Son of man, be a prophet against the keepers of the flock of Israel, and say to them, O keepers of the sheep! this is the word of the Lord: A curse is on the keepers of the flock of Israel who take the food for themselves! is it not right for the keepers to give the food to the sheep?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that have fed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
King James Version (1611)
Sonne of man, prophecie against the shepheards of Israel, prophecie and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God vnto the shepheards, Woe be to the shepheards of Israel that doe feede themselues: should not the shepheards feede the flockes?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Thou sonne of man, prophecie against the shepheardes of Israel, prophecie and speake vnto them: thus saith the Lorde God vnto the shepheardes, Wo be vnto the shepheardes of Israel that feede them selues: should not the shepheards feede the flockes?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to the shepherds,
English Revised Version
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord GOD: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
World English Bible
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and tell them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn't the shepherds feed the sheep?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and he seide, Sone of man, profesie thou of the schepherdis of Israel, profesie thou; and thou schalt seie to the schepherdis, The Lord God seith these thingis, Wo to the schepherdis of Israel, that fedden hym silf; whether flockis ben not fed of schepherdis?
Update Bible Version
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
Webster's Bible Translation
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
New English Translation
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them—to the shepherds: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not shepherds feed the flock?
New King James Version
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
New Living Translation
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord : What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn't shepherds feed their sheep?
New Life Bible
"Son of man, speak against the shepherds of Israel. Speak in My name and tell those shepherds, ‘The Lord God says, "It is bad for the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?
New Revised Standard
Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to them—to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God : Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Son of man, Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,- Prophesy, and thou shalt say unto them, even to the shepherds - Thus, saith My Lord Yahweh - Alas! for the shepherds of Israel who have been tending, themselves, Is it not the flock that the shepherds should tend?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Son of man, prophesy concerning the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to the shepherds: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves: should not the flocks be fed by the shepherds?
Revised Standard Version
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
Young's Literal Translation
`Son of man, prophesy concerning shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and thou hast said unto them: To the shepherds, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Wo [to] the shepherds of Israel, Who have been feeding themselves! The flock do not the shepherds feed?

Contextual Overview

1 The Lord God said: 2 Ezekiel, son of man, Israel's leaders are like shepherds taking care of my sheep, the people of Israel. But I want you to condemn these leaders and tell them: I, the Lord God, say you shepherds of Israel are doomed! You take care of yourselves while ignoring my sheep. 3 You drink their milk and use their wool to make your clothes. Then you butcher the best ones for food. But you don't take care of the flock! 4 You have never protected the weak ones or healed the sick ones or bandaged those that get hurt. You let them wander off and never look for those that get lost. You are cruel and mean to my sheep. 5 They strayed in every direction, and because there was no shepherd to watch them, they were attacked and eaten by wild animals. 6 So my sheep were scattered across the earth. They roamed on hills and mountains, without anyone even bothering to look for them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the shepherds: The shepherds of Israel, signify their kings and princes, priests and prophets; the flock, the whole of the people; the fat and wool, the tithes and offerings, taxes and imposts: these they exacted with great rigour, and even oppressed and destroyed the people to enrich themselves; but they bestowed no pains to provide for the welfare of the state, or for the souls of those entrusted to them. They knew nothing about their flock: it might be diseased, infirm, bruised, maimed, strayed, or lost, for they watched not over them. Ezekiel 33:24, Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 3:15, Jeremiah 10:21, Jeremiah 12:10, John 10:1, John 10:2, John 10:12

Woe: Ezekiel 34:8-10, Ezekiel 13:19, Jeremiah 23:1, Micah 3:1-3, Micah 3:11, Micah 3:12, Zephaniah 3:3, Zephaniah 3:4, Zechariah 11:17, Matthew 24:48-51, Luke 12:42-46, Luke 20:46, Luke 20:47, Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 2:3

feed: 2 Samuel 5:2, Psalms 78:71, Psalms 78:72, Isaiah 40:11, John 21:15-17, Acts 20:26, Acts 20:29, 1 Peter 5:2-4

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:38 - the rams 1 Samuel 2:29 - make 2 Samuel 7:7 - feed 2 Samuel 24:17 - these sheep 1 Chronicles 17:6 - feed Isaiah 56:11 - they are Jeremiah 22:22 - thy pastors Ezekiel 13:3 - Woe Ezekiel 34:10 - neither shall Ezekiel 34:18 - to have Zechariah 10:3 - anger Zechariah 11:5 - possessors Zechariah 11:16 - which Matthew 24:45 - to give Luke 10:2 - are John 10:8 - came John 10:10 - thief

Cross-References

Genesis 20:2
he told everyone that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Genesis 33:19
The land where he camped was owned by the descendants of Hamor, the father of Shechem. So Jacob paid them one hundred pieces of silver for the property,
Genesis 34:6
Hamor arrived at Jacob's home
Genesis 34:7
just as Jacob's sons were coming in from work. When they learned that their sister had been raped, they became furiously angry. Nothing is more disgraceful than rape, and it should not be tolerated in Israel.
Genesis 34:10
You can share this land with us. Move freely about until you find the property you want; then buy it and settle down here.
Genesis 34:11
Shechem added, "Do this favor for me, and I'll give whatever you want.
Genesis 34:24
Every grown man followed this advice and got circumcised.
Genesis 34:25
Three days later the men who had been circumcised were still weak from pain. So Simeon and Levi, two of Dinah's brothers, attacked with their swords and killed every man in town,
Deuteronomy 21:14
Later on, if you are not happy with the woman, you can divorce her, and she can go free. But you have slept with her as your wife, so you cannot sell her as a slave or make her into your own slave.
Deuteronomy 22:29
they will be forced to get married. He must give her father fifty pieces of silver as a bride-price and can never divorce her.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,.... Or, "concerning" p them; the governors of them, as the Targum and Jarchi; their political governors, their kings, princes, and civil magistrates of every order and degree; so Kimchi interprets it of kings; and it was common with the eastern nations, and with the Greeks, to call kings shepherds; and one and the same word; in the Greek language, signifies to feed sheep, and to govern people; see Psalms 78:72, also their ecclesiastical governors are intended, prophets, priests, Levites, scribes, and Pharisees; these were bad shepherds, or they would not have been prophesied against; and though they were shepherds of Israel, this must be done:

prophesy, and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds: that the message to them might be the more regarded, it is ordered to be delivered in the name of the Lord; otherwise they would have been apt to have despised it, and charged the prophet with impertinence and rudeness:

woe be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves! that is, themselves only, and not the flock: had they fed the flock, as well as themselves, they would not have been blamed; but they took no care of the people over whom they were set only minded their own affairs, to get riches and honour, but neglected the good of the people, yea, cruelly oppressed them:

should not the shepherds feed the flocks? undoubtedly they should; it is their duty, the business of their office, so to do; kings to rule over their subjects, defend their persons and property, and secure their privileges and liberties to them; and ecclesiastical rulers, ministers of the word, should feed the flock or church of God committed to them with knowledge and understanding; see Jeremiah 3:15.

p על רועי "de pastoribus", V. L. Grotius; "super pastores", Pagninus, Montanus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Shepherds - Not priests or prophets, but rulers and kings (see the Jeremiah 2:8 note). The most ancient title for “ruler” is a monogram which occurs on the oldest monuments discovered in the cuneiform character. In the Assyrian language it became riu (compare Hebrew רעה râ‛âh =shepherd). In the traditions of Berosus we find that Alorus, the first king in the world, received from the Divinity the title of Shepherd. The title, as well as the monogram, was preserved to the latest times of the Assyrian monarchy. While the distress and misery of the people daily in creased, the last kings of Judah exacted more and more from their subjects and lavished more and more on personal luxury and show.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ezekiel 34:2. Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel — The shepherds include, first, the priests and Levites; secondly, the kings, princes, and magistrates. The flock means the whole of the people. The fat and the wool, the tithes and offerings, the taxes and imposts. The reprehensible feeding and clothing with these, as to the priests and Levites, the using these tithes and offerings, not to enable them the better to fulfil the work of the ministry, but to pamper their own bodies, and support them in an idle voluptuous life; and in reference to the state, the employing the taxes and imposts, not for the support and administration of justice and good government, but to subsidize heathen powers, and maintain their own luxury and idolatrous prodigality.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile