Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְעֶ֔ה
He shall feed
H7462
יִרְעֶ֔ה
He shall feed
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
1 of 10
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
יִרְעֶ֔ה
He shall feed
H7462
יִרְעֶ֔ה
He shall feed
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
3 of 10
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בִּזְרֹעוֹ֙
with his arm
H2220
בִּזְרֹעוֹ֙
with his arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
4 of 10
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
יִשָּׂ֑א
and carry
H5375
יִשָּׂ֑א
and carry
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 10
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
Revelation 7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Micah 5:4And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.Ezekiel 34:23And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.1 Peter 2:25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.Ezekiel 34:31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.Zechariah 11:7And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.Genesis 33:13And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
Historical Context
For exiles who felt abandoned, this shepherd imagery reversed their sense of being scattered sheep without a shepherd (Ezekiel 34), promising restoration under God's personal care.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways have you experienced God's shepherd care in your most vulnerable moments?
- How does knowing God gently leads those with young help you trust His pace in your spiritual growth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This beautiful pastoral image presents God as the Good Shepherd ('ra'ah'), a title later claimed by Christ (John 10:11). The Hebrew 'tsabaq' (gather to the bosom) conveys intimate, protective love. God's care is both universal (feeding the flock) and particular (carrying lambs, gently leading nursing ewes)—He tends to individual needs with personal attention.