Isaiah 56:11

11 They are like greedy dogs that never get enough. These leaders have no understanding. They each do as they please and seek their own advantage.

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 The Lord has told the foreign nations to come like wild animals and devour his people.

10 He says, "All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark - they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep!

11 They are like greedy dogs that never get enough. These leaders have no understanding. They each do as they please and seek their own advantage.

12 "Let's get some wine,' these drunkards say, "and drink all we can hold! Tomorrow will be even better than today!' "