Ezekiel 34:1-10

1-10. The shepherds of the people, instead of feeding the flock, were feeding upon the flock, eating the fat (LXX., milk), and living in ease and luxury, while “my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:5, LXX.) were scattered and becoming a prey to wild beasts (surrounding nations). The shepherds of Israel like the contemporary heathen kings who loved to call themselves “shepherds” in their inscriptions have not cared for the sick or lame, but “with rigor have ye ruled over them” (Ezekiel 34:4, R.V.). The term shepherd is used often elsewhere in the Old Testament, generally with reference to civil rulers (1 Kings 22:17; Isaiah 13:20; Isaiah 56:11; Psalms 78:71; Jeremiah 23:1-6). Particularly compare Jeremiah 23:1-4, and Teaching of the Apostles, ix, p. 4.