Isaiah 56:11
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Original Language Analysis
נֶ֗פֶשׁ
H5315
נֶ֗פֶשׁ
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ
never have
H3045
יָדְע֖וּ
never have
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
רֹעִ֔ים
and they are shepherds
H7462
רֹעִ֔ים
and they are shepherds
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
8 of 17
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
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ
never have
H3045
יָדְע֖וּ
never have
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
10 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הָבִ֑ין
that cannot understand
H995
הָבִ֑ין
that cannot understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
11 of 17
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
כֻּלָּם֙
H3605
כֻּלָּם֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְדַרְכָּ֣ם
to their own way
H1870
לְדַרְכָּ֣ם
to their own way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
13 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
פָּנ֔וּ
they all look
H6437
פָּנ֔וּ
they all look
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
14 of 17
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
אִ֥ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Ezekiel 13:19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Isaiah 1:3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.Isaiah 57:17For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.John 8:43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;Acts 20:33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.Acts 20:29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.2 Peter 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Historical Context
This echoes Ezekiel 34's indictment of shepherds who feed themselves rather than the flock. Such leadership provokes God to become Shepherd Himself - fulfilled in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does greedy, self-interested leadership look like today?
- How does this contrast with Christ's model of shepherding?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These failed leaders are 'greedy dogs which can never have enough.' The Hebrew 'nephesh' (soul/appetite) is never satisfied - they exemplify insatiable appetite. They are 'shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain.' Self-interest replaces sacrificial service.