Ezekiel 34:8

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,

Ezekiel 34:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 34:8

As I live, saith the Lord
It is an oath, and which he swore in his wrath, being provoked with the shepherds for their misadministration: surely, because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to
every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd;
a prey to all the kingdoms of the people, being without a governor, as the Targum; or to false teachers, there being no spiritual pastors to take care of them: neither did my shepherds search for my flock;
that was scattered, and carried captive, and became a prey to others; even those that were of God's appointing, as the kings of Israel, their priests and prophets; for both their civil polity and ecclesiastical hierarchy were of God, though the ends thereof were not answered, or the persons put into office did not do their duty: but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock:
(See Gill on Ezekiel 34:2), (See Gill on Ezekiel 34:3).

Ezekiel 34:8 In-Context

6 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.

7 "`Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:

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,

9 therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD.

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.