Ezekiel 34:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁגּ֤וּ
wandered
H7686
יִשְׁגּ֤וּ
wandered
Strong's:
H7686
Word #:
1 of 18
to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication
צֹאנִ֔י
My sheep
H6629
צֹאנִ֔י
My sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
2 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֶ֣הָרִ֔ים
through all the mountains
H2022
הֶ֣הָרִ֔ים
through all the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 18
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְעַ֖ל
H5921
וְעַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָמָ֑ה
and upon every high
H7311
רָמָ֑ה
and upon every high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
8 of 18
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וְעַ֨ל
H5921
וְעַ֨ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
פְּנֵ֤י
upon all the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֤י
upon all the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
נָפֹ֣צוּ
was scattered
H6327
נָפֹ֣צוּ
was scattered
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
13 of 18
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
צֹאנִ֔י
My sheep
H6629
צֹאנִ֔י
My sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
14 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
דּוֹרֵ֖שׁ
and none did search
H1875
דּוֹרֵ֖שׁ
and none did search
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Psalms 142:4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.1 Peter 2:25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.John 10:16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.Ezekiel 7:16But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.Jeremiah 5:1Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
Historical Context
The Babylonian exile (586 BC) scattered Judah across the ancient Near East. This dispersion fulfilled covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:64) but also exposed corrupt leadership. Faithful shepherds would have pursued scattered sheep; corrupt leaders abandoned them. This failure necessitated God's personal intervention as shepherd (verse 11). The pattern warns that pastoral neglect has devastating consequences requiring divine remedy. Christ came because human shepherds failed comprehensively, necessitating the Good Shepherd's incarnation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does pastoral calling include actively seeking wandering sheep rather than waiting for their return?
- What does comprehensive scattering without pursuit teach about leadership failure's severity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"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." The comprehensive scattering contrasts with shepherds' complete neglect. The phrase "none did search or seek" indicts pastoral failure. True shepherds actively pursue scattered sheep; false shepherds ignore their plight. This foreshadows Christ's parables: the good shepherd seeking lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7) and the shepherd knowing each sheep by name (John 10:3-4). Pastoral ministry requires active pursuit of the wandering, not passive waiting for their return.