Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, New Living Translation As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. English Standard Version As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, Berean Standard Bible ‘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, Berean Literal Bible ‘As I live—a declaration of the Lord YHWH—surely because My flock became as prey, and My flock became as food for every beast of the field, for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, and the shepherds shepherded themselves, and My flock they did not feed. King James Bible 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; New King James Version “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”— New American Standard Bible “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “certainly, because My flock has become plunder, and My flock has become food for all the animals of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock, NASB 1995 “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; NASB 1977 “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; Legacy Standard Bible “As I live,” declares Lord Yahweh, “surely because My flock has become plunder, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not seek for My flock, but rather the shepherds shepherded themselves and did not shepherd My flock; Amplified Bible “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “certainly because My flock has become prey, My flock has even become food for every predator of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; Berean Annotated Bible ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, 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, Christian Standard Bible As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, Holman Christian Standard Bible As I live"—the declaration of the Lord GOD—"because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock, American Standard Version 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; English Revised Version As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became meat 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, because there is no shepherd, my sheep have become prey. My sheep have become food for every wild animal. My shepherds haven't searched for my sheep. They have taken care of only themselves, not my sheep. Good News Translation As surely as I am the living God, you had better listen to me. My sheep have been attacked by wild animals that killed and ate them because there was no shepherd. My shepherds did not try to find the sheep. They were taking care of themselves and not the sheep. International Standard Version As certainly as I'm alive and living, my sheep have truly become victims, food for all of the wild animals because there are no shepherds. My shepherds did not go searching for my flock. Instead, the shepherds fed themselves, and my flock they would not feed!' NET Bible As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, my sheep have become prey and have become food for all the wild beasts. There was no shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my flock, but fed themselves and did not feed my sheep, New Heart English Bible 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn't feed my sheep'; Webster's Bible Translation As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food 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; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible‘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, World English Bible “As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds didn’t search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn’t feed my sheep, Literal Translations Literal Standard Version[As] I live—a declaration of Lord YHWH, "" If not, because of My flock being for a prey, "" Indeed, My flock is for food to every beast of the field, "" Because there is no shepherd, "" And My shepherds have not sought My flock, "" And the shepherds feed themselves, "" And they have not fed My flock. Berean Literal Bible ‘As I live—a declaration of the Lord YHWH—surely because My flock became as prey, and My flock became as food for every beast of the field, for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, and the shepherds shepherded themselves, and My flock they did not feed. Young's Literal Translation I live -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, If not, because of My flock being for a prey, Yea, My flock is for food to every beast of the field, Because there is no shepherd, And My shepherds have not sought My flock, And the shepherds do feed themselves, And My flock they have not fed. Smith's Literal Translation I live, says the Lord Jehovah, if not my sheep were for plunder and my sheep will be for consuming to all the beasts of the field from no shepherd; and the shepherds sought not my sheep, and the shepherds will feed themselves, and my sheep they fed not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs I live, saith the Lord God, forasmuch as my flocks have been made a spoil, and my sheep are become a prey to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd: for my shepherds did not seek after my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flocks: Catholic Public Domain Version As I live, says the Lord God, since my flocks have become a prey, and my sheep have been devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, since there was no shepherd, for my shepherds did not seek my flock, but instead the shepherds fed themselves, and they did not feed my flocks: New American Bible As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—because my sheep became plunder, because my sheep became food for wild beasts, for lack of a shepherd, because my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep, New Revised Standard Version As I live, says the Lord GOD, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild animals, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs I live, says the LORD God, because my flock became a prey and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd; neither did the shepherds feed my flocks, but the shepherds fed themselves and have not fed my flock; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated As I am alive, says THE LORD OF LORDS, because my sheep were for prey and my sheep were food for every animal of the wilderness which is without a Shepherd, and the Shepherds did not feed my sheep, but the Shepherds fed themselves and they did not feed my sheep OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As I live, saith the Lord GOD, 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; Brenton Septuagint Translation As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became meat to all the wild beasts of the field, because there were no shepherds, and the shepherds sought not out my sheep, and the shepherds fed themselves, but fed not my sheep. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Prophecy Against Israel's Shepherds…7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8‘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, 9therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!’… Cross References ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, Jeremiah 22:24 “As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off. Numbers 14:28 So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Deuteronomy 32:40 For I lift up My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, because My flock lacks a shepherd 1 Kings 22:17 So Micaiah declared: “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These people have no master; let each one return home in peace.’” Matthew 9:36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Zechariah 10:2 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. and has become prey and food for every wild beast, Psalm 79:2 They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. Jeremiah 7:33 The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. Deuteronomy 28:26 Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away. and because My shepherds did not search for My flock Zechariah 11:16 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. Jeremiah 23:2 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. Jeremiah 50:6 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. but fed themselves instead,’ Jude 1:12 These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. 1 Peter 5:2-3 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. Philippians 2:21 For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 23:1-4 “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. … Treasury of Scripture As I live, said 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; prey Ezekiel 34:5,6,31 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered… the shepherds Ezekiel 34:2,3,10 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? … 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. Jump to Previous Animals Beast Beasts Declares Fed Feed Field Flock Food Forasmuch Live Meat Prey Search Sheep Shepherd Shepherds Surely ThemselvesJump to Next Animals Beast Beasts Declares Fed Feed Field Flock Food Forasmuch Live Meat Prey Search Sheep Shepherd Shepherds Surely ThemselvesEzekiel 34 1. A reproof of the shepherds7. God's judgment against them 11. His providence over his flock 20. The kingdom of Christ As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, This phrase emphasizes the certainty and authority of God's declaration. It is a solemn oath, underscoring the seriousness of the message. Similar expressions are found throughout the Old Testament, such as in Numbers 14:21 and Isaiah 49:18, where God swears by His own life, highlighting His unchanging nature and the reliability of His promises. 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, Persons / Places / Events 1. The Lord GODThe sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks with authority and judgment. 2. The Flock Represents the people of Israel, God's chosen people, who are in need of guidance and protection. 3. Shepherds Symbolic of the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for the spiritual and physical well-being of the people. 4. Wild Beasts Metaphorically represents the enemies and oppressors of Israel who take advantage of the people's vulnerability. 5. Ezekiel The prophet through whom God delivers this message, serving as a watchman for the house of Israel. Teaching Points The Responsibility of LeadershipLeaders are accountable to God for the care and guidance of those entrusted to them. Neglect and self-interest lead to judgment. God's Compassion for His People Despite the failure of human leaders, God remains committed to His people and will intervene to protect and restore them. The Danger of Neglect When leaders fail to fulfill their duties, the people suffer and become vulnerable to external threats. Christ as the Ultimate Shepherd Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect Shepherd, providing an example for all leaders to follow. Call to Faithful Service Believers are called to serve others selflessly, reflecting God's love and care in their communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 34:8?2. How does Ezekiel 34:8 highlight God's judgment on negligent shepherds of Israel? 3. What responsibilities do spiritual leaders have, based on Ezekiel 34:8? 4. How can Ezekiel 34:8 guide us in identifying false leaders today? 5. How does Ezekiel 34:8 connect with Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10? 6. What actions can we take to ensure we follow faithful spiritual leaders? 7. What does Ezekiel 34:8 reveal about God's judgment on unfaithful leaders? 8. How does Ezekiel 34:8 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 9. In what ways does Ezekiel 34:8 reflect God's concern for His people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 34? 11. Ezekiel 34 - Why didn't contemporary historical records outside the Bible mention this supposed divine intervention in Israel's leadership crisis? 12. What does 'One Shepherd and One Flock' mean? 13. What does 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' mean? 14. Jeremiah 23:1-2: How can God condemn 'shepherds' who mislead the flock while, historically, many oppressive leaders seem to go unpunished? What Does Ezekiel 34:8 Mean As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD• The Lord begins with His own oath. When God says, “As surely as I live,” He is anchoring the coming words in His unchanging, eternal nature (Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 45:23; Hebrews 6:13–17). • This oath underscores certainty: the judgment and the promises that follow are not conjecture; they are guaranteed by the life of God Himself. • It also reminds us that He alone possesses the right to judge His people and their leaders—He is the living, covenant-keeping God who never breaks His word (Psalm 89:34). because My flock lacks a shepherd • Israel’s spiritual leaders had abdicated their calling, leaving the nation directionless (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Mark 6:34). • “My flock” stresses God’s ownership. The sheep do not belong to the shepherds but to the Lord (Psalm 100:3). • Without godly leadership, people drift from truth, worship, and obedience. God holds leaders doubly accountable for that drift (James 3:1). and has become prey and food for every wild beast • The image is stark: defenseless sheep surrounded by predators (Ezekiel 34:5). In real time, this described Judah’s scattering among hostile nations after exile. • Spiritually, wolves still threaten believers with false teaching, persecution, and temptation (Acts 20:29–30; John 10:10). • God highlights the tragic consequence of absent shepherding—exposure to every destructive influence. and because My shepherds did not search for My flock • True shepherds pursue the lost (Luke 15:4), bind up the injured, and lead the weary to rest (Ezekiel 34:4, 16). • These leaders, however, ignored their mandate. They watched the scattering without lifting a finger (Jeremiah 23:2). • Neglect, not mere incompetence, is the charge. Divine discipline soon follows, because God’s heart is always to seek and save (Luke 19:10). but fed themselves instead • Instead of laying down their lives for the sheep, they gorged on the flock’s resources (Ezekiel 34:2–3). • Self-indulgent leadership is a perennial danger—leaders who “all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21). • The contrast with the Good Shepherd could not be sharper: Jesus “lays down His life for the sheep,” unlike the hired hand who cares only for himself (John 10:12–13). summary Ezekiel 34:8 sets the courtroom scene: the living God swears an oath against faithless shepherds who left His flock leaderless, vulnerable, and plundered. The accusation is twofold—neglect and self-indulgence. Because shepherds failed, sheep suffered. God’s sworn response assures both judgment on corrupt leaders and, as the chapter unfolds, His own intervention as the true Shepherd. The verse calls every leader to faithful oversight and every believer to trust the Shepherd who never abandons His flock. Hebrew ‘As surely as Iאָ֜נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I live, חַי־ (ḥay-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life declares נְאֻ֣ם ׀ (nə·’um) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD, יְהוִ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH because יַ֣עַן (ya·‘an) Adverb Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause My flock צֹאנִ֣י ׀ (ṣō·nî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock lacks מֵאֵ֣ין (mê·’ên) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle a shepherd רֹעֶ֔ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with and has become הֱיֽוֹת־ (hĕ·yō·wṯ-) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be prey לָבַ֡ז (lā·ḇaz) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 957: Spoiling, robbery, spoil, booty [and] צֹאנִ֨י (ṣō·nî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock food לְאָכְלָ֜ה (lə·’āḵ·lāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 402: Food, eating for every לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every wild הַשָּׂדֶה֙ (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land beast, חַיַּ֤ת (ḥay·yaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life and because My shepherds רֹעַ֖י (rō·‘ay) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with did not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no search דָרְשׁ֥וּ (ḏā·rə·šū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship for My flock צֹאנִ֑י (ṣō·nî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock but fed וַיִּרְע֤וּ (way·yir·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with themselves אוֹתָ֔ם (’ō·w·ṯām) Direct object marker | third person masculine plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case [instead], וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case Links Ezekiel 34:8 NIVEzekiel 34:8 NLT Ezekiel 34:8 ESV Ezekiel 34:8 NASB Ezekiel 34:8 KJV Ezekiel 34:8 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 34:8 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 34:8 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 34:8 French Bible Ezekiel 34:8 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 34:8 As I live says the Lord Yahweh (Ezek. 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