Isaiah 56:11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

From words of comfort the prophet here, by a very sudden change of his style, passes to words of reproof and conviction, and goes on in that strain, for the most part, in the three following chapters; and therefore some here begin a new sermon. He had assured the people that in due time God would deliver them out of captivity, which was designed for the comfort of those that should live when God would do this. Now here he shows what their sins and provocations were, for which God would send... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs ,.... Or "strong of soul" F25 עזי נפש "fortes animo", Montanus; "fortes anima, sub. appetente", Vatablus; "sunt valido appetitu", Vitringa. ; 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Greedy dogs - Insatiably feeding themselves with the fat, and clothing themselves with the wool, while the flock is scattered, ravaged, and starved! O what an abundance of these dumb and greedy dogs are there found hanging on and prowling about the flock of Christ! How can any careless, avaricious, hireling minister read this without agitation and dismay? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

SECTION V.—A WARNING TO THE WICKED ( ISAIH , Isaiah 56:9 -57.). THE BLIND GUIDES OF ISRAEL REBUKED . A sudden change of style marks the introduction of an entirely new prophecy. The eye of the prophet, apparently, goes back from the period of the exile, which he has been so long contemplating, to his own day, or at any rate to the pre-exile period, and rests upon Israel in their own land. He sees them misled by their teachers ( Isaiah 56:10-12 ), given to idolatry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

When their spiritual guides go astray, the flock of Christ suffers Spiritual guides are bound to watch for the flock, as "they that must give account" ( Hebrews 13:17 ). It is ill for the flock when they are even negligent in their duties—still worse when they engage actively in evil courses. Israel's guides at this time were open to both charges, and are blamed on both accounts. Isaiah taxes them with being— I. BLIND GUIDES , destitute of spiritual wisdom and spiritual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

Unfaithful ministry. Three truths appear as we consider these strong words. I. THAT GOD HAS PLACED THE WELFARE OF THE MANY IN THE CHARGE OF THE FEW . Practically, the moral and material condition of the country in the course of the next twenty years depends greatly on the character of those of its citizens who are parents. The fathers and mothers in the land are determining its future to a large extent by their parental wisdom or folly. But we may narrow the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:10-12

Worthless shepherds. "Dumb dogs;" "Greedy dogs;" "Shepherds that cannot understand." The prophet's messages are in the main addressed to the pious and believing among the exiles. But he knows well how many of them were living in self-indulgence and sin, and were not in the least likely to heed his words, and prepare themselves for the coming deliverance. The evils were especially manifest in the leading people, who ought to have been leaders in goodness to the people. Instead of this,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs . Another defect is noted. Not only do they fail in the way of neglect of duty, but they are actively culpable. Being worldly and not spiritually minded, they are "greedy" after gain. Anciently, the taking of a gift, or fee, from those who came to consult them was regarded as no dishonour to the prophetic office ( Numbers 22:7 ; 1 Samuel 9:7 ; 1 Kings 14:3 ); but the nobler class of prophets declined to make a profit of their spiritual powers, and would... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs - Margin, ‘Strong of appetite.’ Literally, ‘Strong of soul’ (עזי־נפשׁ ‛azēy-nephesh. Jerome renders it, Canes impudentissimi. So the Septuagint, Κύνες ἀναιδεῖς τῇ ψυχῇ Kunes anaideis tē psuchē - ‘Dogs impudent in soul.’ They were greedy and insatiable in that which the soul or the appetite demands. The idea here is, that the prophets to whom reference is here made were sensual, and disposed to gorge themselves; living only for carnal indulgence, insensible to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:11

Isaiah 56:11. Yea, they are greedy dogs Insatiably covetous: shepherds that cannot understand Hebrew, that know not to understand; that do not care, or love, or desire either to understand the word of God themselves, or to make the people understand it. They all look to their own way They regard neither God’s glory nor the people’s good, but only the satisfaction of their own base desires. Every one for his gain from his quarter In their several places and stations, as they have... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:10-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:11

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