Isaiah 56:11

Isa 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.

Ver. 11. Yea, they are greedy dogs that can never have enough.] Heb., Strong of soul, or of appetite; they know not to be satisfied. Lac et luna, is that they look for; the "instruments of a foolish shepherd," forcipes et mulctra, the shears and milk pail are in their hand; {Zec 11:15} they eat the fruit and drink the milk; {as Eze 25:4} yea, they eat the fat, and tear the claws in pieces. {Zec 11:16} Albertus Magnus complained heavily of the covetousness of pastors in his time. Temporalia colliguntper se, spiritualia seminant per alios saith he on Mat 10:16; {a} they take little pains, but care not how much profit they make. He that made Fasciculus temporum, doth the like. Another modern writer fitly applieth that to them, which Oedipus in Sophocles saith of Tiresias the heathen prophet -

“οστις εν τοις κερδεσι

Mονον δεδορκε, την τεχνην δ εφυτυφλος, ”

i.e., that he looked only to his gain, but was little seen in his profession. Such a one was Balaam; {Jdg 1:11} such were those false prophets; {Eze 13:2-3} the covetous Pharisees; {Luk 16:14} the false apostles, {Rom 16:18} called dogs; {Php 3:2} such as had a greedy worm under their tongues, and could never be satisfied.

And they are shepherds that cannot understand.] The dust of covetousness hath even put out their eyes. As it fared with the blind {a} and greedy Pharisees, Avidi a non videndo, the world is a pearl in their eyes; they cannot see God, nor skill of their office. Tremellius rendereth it nesciunt docere; they know not to teach, as being choked haply with a fat benefice - a common practice of the Pope.

They all look to their own way.] Mind their own commodity, whereby they are led up and down, as an ox may be all aground over by a bottle of hay.

{a} Midas secundum Etymologiam Graecam caecus est. Midas, according to Greek mythology, was blind.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Isa 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 opportunity.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

56:11 ignorant shepherds: Israel’s leaders did not know how to rule in a godly way (see also Ezek 34:1-6). By contrast, the Lord is the faithful Shepherd of his people (Isa 40:11). • all following their own path: They had no concern for God or his standards of godly leadership (see also 53:6). • personal gain: Cp. 33:15.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

greedy--literally, "strong" (that is, insatiable) in appetite (Eze 34:2-3; Mic 3:11).

cannot understand--unable to comprehend the wants of the people, spiritually: so Isa 56:10, "cannot bark."

look to . . . own way--that is, their own selfish interests; not to the spiritual welfare of the people (Jer 6:13; Eze 22:27).

from his quarter--rather, "from the highest to the lowest" [LOWTH]. "From his quarter"; that is, from one end to the other of them, one and all (Gen 19:4).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 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?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(11) Shepherds that cannot understand . . .—Better, and such are shepherds; they cannot understand. There is no confusion or change of metaphors. What is implied is that the prophets who are not fit to be watch-dogs of the flock, assume the office of its shepherds.

From his quarter—i.e., in modern phrase, from his own sphere of influence.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

11. The first line reads, And the dogs are greedy (lit. “strong of soul,” i.e. appetite), they know not how to be satisfied. The charge of cupidity and of selling oracles for gain is one frequently brought against the false prophets (Mic_3:5; Mic_3:11; Jer_6:13; Eze_13:19; Eze_22:25); a contemporary instance may be the incident of Shemaiah (Neh_6:10 ff.). That the priesthood was infected with the same vice of covetousness is shown by Mal_1:12; on the upper classes generally see Neh_5:7 ff.

and they are shepherds &c.] The meaning can hardly be that those who have been called dogs are really the shepherds of the flock; but it is not easy to obtain a satisfactory sense. Cheyne renders “and these, pastors as they are,” taking “pastors” in the figurative sense of rulers. Dillmann with a slight change of the text reads “and even these, the shepherds,” supposing that a class of persons different from the “watchmen” (prophets) are now spoken of, viz., the nobles and elders. On any view the sentence is awkward; it adds nothing to the thought, and may originally have been a marginal gloss.

they all look to their own way] R.V. they have all turned to their own way; all pursue their selfish interests (cf. Isa_53:6).

from his quarter] Render, without exception, as Eze_25:9; Gen_19:4.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Yea, they are greedy dogs,.... Or "strong of soul" (y); 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 fulness (z), or what it is to be filled to satisfaction, always craving more. Though some think this denotes their insatiable avarice, their greedy desire of money, not being satisfied with what they have, in order to support their voluptuous way of living.

And they are shepherds that cannot understand; or, "and they are", or "are they shepherds?" these blind and ignorant watchmen; these dumb and greedy dogs; these pretend to be the shepherds of the flock, and to feed them?

yet they know not to understand (a), or "know not understanding"; have no knowledge and understanding of divine things, and therefore unfit and incapable of feeding the people therewith:

they all look to their own way: to do that which is most pleasing to them, agreeable to their carnal lusts; they seek that which is most for their worldly profit and advantage, having no regard to the glory of God, the interest of Christ, and the welfare of the flock:

everyone for his gain from his quarter; from the province, city, or town he is in; from his archbishopric, bishopric, or parish; making the most of his benefice, of his tithes and revenues; increasing his salary as much as he can; getting as much as possible from all sorts of persons, rich and poor, high and low, that are under his jurisdiction; and this is the case of everyone, from the greatest to the least. The Targum is,

"everyone to spoil the substance of Israel;''

as the Pharisees devoured widows' houses, Mat 23:14.

(y) "fortes animo", Montanus; "fortes anima, sub. appetente", Vatablus; "sunt valido appetitu", Vitringa. (z) "nesciunt, vel non noverunt saturitatem", Paguinus, Montanus, &c, (a) "et iili pastores? non sciunt docere", Cocceius; "et illi cum pastores sunt, mulla pollent discernendi peritia", Vitringa.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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 the rights of others, and never satisfied.

And they are shepherds that cannot understand - Who are ignorant of the needs of the people, and who cannot be made to comprehend what is needed by them (see Isa 56:10).

They all look to their own way - That is, they are all selfish. The ministers of religion are set apart not to promote their own interests bug the welfare and salavation of others.

Every one for his gain - For his own private ends and emoluments.

From his quarter - Lowth, ‘From the highest to the lowest.’ So Rosenmuller. Septuagint, Κατὰ τὸ ἑαυτοῦ Kata to heautou - ‘Each one according to his own purpose.’ The Hebrew is literally, ‘From his end,’ or extremity. Gen 19:4 : ‘From every quarter’ (מקצה mı̂qqâtseh) that is, from one end to the other; one and all, the whole. This seems to be the idea here, that one and all were given to selfishness, to covetousness, and to indulgence in luxury and sensuality.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Last. The scribes devour the houses of widows, making long prayers, Matthew xxiii. 14. They are blind, Matthew xv. 14. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Greedy dogs which can never have enough; insatiably covetous.

That cannot understand, Heb. that know not to understand; that do not care, or love, or desire (as knowing is frequently taken) either to understand the law or word of God themselves, or to make the people to understand it.

They all look to their own way; they regard neither God’s command and glory, nor the people’s good, but only the satisfaction of their own base lusts. See Poole "Isa 53:6".

Every one for his gain, from his quarter; in their several places and stations, as they have opportunity. Heb. from his or their end or extremity, i.e. universally, or all from one end of that body or society of men unto the other; as the same word signifies, Gen 19:4; from one end of the city to the other; or, as we there render it,

from every quarter; and as the same word is by divers learned men rendered, 1Ki 12:31, out of the meanest of the people, but out of all the people, or indifferently out of every tribe; of which See Poole "1Ki 12:31". But if that phrase be rightly rendered there, out of the meanest of the people, as divers also expound the same phrase, Gen 47:2, of the meanest of his brethren, why may it not as well be rendered here, even from the meanest or poorest of his flock? which is a great aggravation of their covetousness and cruelty, to extort gains from such as needed their charity.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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; (1Sa_9:7 1Ki_14:3) but the nobler class of prophets declined to make a profit of their spiritual powers, and would receive no. (2Ki_5:16 Mat_10:8 Act_8:20) In Ezekiel and Micah the taking of gifts by prophets is regarded as discreditable. (Eze_13:19 Eze_22:25 Mic_3:3) From his quarter; rather, to the uttermost (Kay), or every one, without exception (Cheyne).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They look - They regard neither God's glory, nor the peoples good, but only the satisfaction of their own base desires. Quarter - In their several stations.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

“And the dogs are greedy, they know not satiety, and they, the shepherds (or the shepherds themselves), know not how to distinguish (or act wisely); all of them to their own way are turned, (every) man to his own gain from his own quarter (or without exception).” A new turn is now given to the figures of the preceding verse. The dogs, though indolent, are greedy. The pronoun ‘they’ is emphatic, and may either mean that these same dogs are at the same time shepherds, thus affording a transition to a different though kindred image, or it may be intended to distinguish between two kinds of rulers; as if he had said, ‘while the dogs are thus indolent and greedy, they (the shepherds) are incompetent;’ or, ‘while the shepherds dogs are such, the shepherds themselves know not how to distinguish’. The latter is probably the true construction; for although the same class of persons may be successively compared to shepherds’ dogs and shepherds, it cannot even by a figure of speech be naturally said that the dogs themselves are shepherds. That voluptuous as well as avaricious indulgences are here referred to, is apparent from what follows in the next verse. The last word literally means ‘from his end or his extremity’, to which the older writers gave the sense of ‘his quarter or direction’, corresponding to ‘his own way’.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Prophecies of Isaiah (1846–1847; New York: Scribner, 1870–1878) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

General Information:

Yahweh continues describing the evil leaders of his people.

The dogs have big appetites

Yahweh continues comparing Israel's bad leaders to dogs. (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

shepherd

discern

turn

wine

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And the dogs are of greedy disposition wanting to fill their stomachs [engrote talent in O.F.], sick with hunger.

and they are shepherds Just as the dogs know no satiety, neither do the shepherds know to understand what will occur at the end of days.

they all turned to the way of their benefit, each one to his gain, to rob the rest of the people over whom they are appointed.

every last one Heb. מִקָּצֵהוּ, [lit. from its end.] Comp. (Gen. 19:4) “all the people from the end (מִקָּצֶה),” from one end of their number until its other end, they all behave in this manner.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

עזי נפש Greedy. The word נפש is mostly used in Scripture to express the appetitive soul; comp. ונפשו מאכל תאוה and his soul (abhorreth) dainty meat (Job 33:20). All these dogs are useless; they do only harm, because of their strong, insatiable appetite, called עזות נפש greediness; they can never have enough. The words which follow contain the explanation of the figure used here.

And they, the dogs mentioned here, Are the shepherds of Israel, that cannot understand. הבין Understand. It is infinitive.

לבצעו For his gain, for that which brings him profit; comp. מה בצע what profit is there (Ps. 30:10).

מקצהו From his quarter. Every one from his quarter.

Ibn Ezra on the Tanakh — English translations: “Sefaria Community Translation” (CC0 1.0 (public-domain dedication)); “Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009” (CC BY 4.0); and “Commentary of Ibn Ezra on Isaiah - trans. by M. Friedlander, 1873” (public domain). Text via Sefaria.