Hesekiel 34:5

5 Und meine Schafe sind zerstreut, als sie keinen Hirten haben, und allen wilden Tieren zur Speise geworden und gar zerstreut. {~}

Hesekiel 34:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 34:5

And they were scattered because there is no shepherd
No good one; there were shepherds, but they were idol shepherds, good for nothing, and it was all one as if there were none: so, in Christ's time, there were the Scribes and Pharisees; yet, since these did not feed the people with wholesome doctrine, they are said to be as sheep without a shepherd, and scattered abroad, as here from the fold, and from one another; dispersed here and there, seeking food, and none, which moved his compassion, ( Matthew 9:36 ) , in the political sense it may refer to their captivity, and their dispersion among the nations, having no king: So the Targum,

``and they were scattered without a governor.''

And they became meat to all beasts of the field when they were
scattered;
the Targum is,

``and they were delivered to all the kingdoms of the people to be consumed;''

such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, Ammonites, Moabites, and others; and may be applied to false teachers, those grievous wolves, which spare not the flock, into whose hands members of churches, professors of religion, fall, when neglected by their shepherds.

Hesekiel 34:5 In-Context

3 Aber ihr fresset das Fette und kleidet euch mit der Wolle und schlachtet das Gemästete; aber die Schafe wollt ihr nicht weiden.

4 Der Schwachen wartet ihr nicht, und die Kranken heilt ihr nicht, das Verwundete verbindet ihr nicht, das Verirrte holt ihr nicht und das Verlorene sucht ihr nicht; sondern streng und hart herrschet ihr über sie.

5 Und meine Schafe sind zerstreut, als sie keinen Hirten haben, und allen wilden Tieren zur Speise geworden und gar zerstreut. {~}

6 Und gehen irre hin und wieder auf den Bergen und auf den hohen Hügeln und sind auf dem ganzen Lande zerstreut; und ist niemand, der nach ihnen frage oder ihrer achte.

7 Darum höret, ihr Hirten, des HERRN Wort!