Isaiah 56:11

11 The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. The shepherds also have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

Isaiah 56:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they [are] greedy dogs
Or "strong of soul" F25; of great appetites, and are never satisfied: or "strong of body"; the soul is sometimes put for the body; large bodied, fat bellied men, such as the priests, monks, and friars, that live upon the fat of the land; gluttons, epicures, men of a canine appetite, like dogs, which can never have enough; know not fulness
F26, or what it is to be filled to satisfaction, always craving more. Though some think this denotes their insatiable avarice, their greedy desire of money, not being satisfied with what they have, in order to support their voluptuous way of living. And they are shepherds that cannot understand;
or, "and they are", or "are they shepherds?" these blind and ignorant watchmen; these dumb and greedy dogs; these pretend to be the shepherds of the flock, and to feed them? yet they know not to understand
F1, or "know not understanding"; have no knowledge and understanding of divine things, and therefore unfit and incapable of feeding the people therewith: they all look to their own way:
to do that which is most pleasing to them, agreeable to their carnal lusts; they seek that which is most for their worldly profit and advantage, having no regard to the glory of God, the interest of Christ, and the welfare of the flock: everyone for his gain from his quarter;
from the province, city, or town he is in; from his archbishopric, bishopric, or parish; making the most of his benefice, of his tithes and revenues; increasing his salary as much as he can; getting as much as possible from all sorts of persons, rich and poor, high and low, that are under his jurisdiction; and this is the case of everyone, from the greatest to the least. The Targum is,

``everyone to spoil the substance of Israel;''
as the Pharisees devoured widows' houses, ( Matthew 23:14 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F25 (vpn yze) "fortes animo", Montanus; "fortes anima, [sub.] appetente", Vatablus; "sunt valido appetitu", Vitringa.
F26 (hebv wedy al) "nesciunt, vel non noverunt saturitatem", Paguinus, Montanus, &c,
F1 (Nybh wedy al Myer hmhw) "et iili pastores? non sciunt docere", Cocceius; "et illi cum pastores sunt, mulla pollent discernendi peritia", Vitringa.

Isaiah 56:11 In-Context

9 All you beasts of the field, come to devour--all you beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. The shepherds also have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.
12 "Come," they say, "let us get wine, let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.