Yechezkel 34:5

5 And they were scattered, because there is no ro’eh; and they became okhel (food) to kol chayyat hasadeh, when they were scattered.

Yechezkel 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.

Yechezkel 34:5 In-Context

3 Ye eat the chelev, and ye clothe you with the tzemer (wool), ye slaughter the healthy; but ye are not ro’im that tend the tzon.

4 The weak have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was cholah (sick), neither have ye bound up the nishberet (injured ones), neither have ye brought back that which was straying, neither have ye sought haovedet (the lost); but with chazekah (force) and with perek (harshness, severity) have ye ruled them.

5 And they were scattered, because there is no ro’eh; and they became okhel (food) to kol chayyat hasadeh, when they were scattered.

6 My tzon wandered through all the harim, and upon every high givah (hill); yes, My tzon was scattered upon all the face of ha’aretz, and none did search or seek after them.

7 Therefore, ye ro’im, hear the Devar Hashem: