Isaiah 56:11

11 They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.

Isaiah 56:11 in Other Translations

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.

11 The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

11 Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain.

11 But hungry dogs, they do know how to eat, voracious dogs, with never enough. And these are Israel's shepherds! They know nothing, understand nothing. They all look after themselves, grabbing whatever's not nailed down.

11 These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain.

Isaiah 56:11 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they [are] greedy dogs
Or "strong of soul" ^F25; 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
^F26, 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
^F1, 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, ( Matthew 23:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (vpn yze) "fortes animo", Montanus; "fortes anima, [sub.] appetente", Vatablus; "sunt valido appetitu", Vitringa.
F26 (hebv wedy al) "nesciunt, vel non noverunt saturitatem", Paguinus, Montanus, &c,
F1 (Nybh wedy al Myer hmhw) "et iili pastores? non sciunt docere", Cocceius; "et illi cum pastores sunt, mulla pollent discernendi peritia", Vitringa.

Isaiah 56:11 In-Context

9 Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!

10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.

11 They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.

12 “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel 34:2
• 2. Isaiah 1:3
• 3. S Isaiah 53:6; Hosea 4:7-8
• 4. Isaiah 57:17; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:10; Jeremiah 22:17; Ezekiel 13:19; Micah 3:11