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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse powerfully contrasts the insatiable greed of these false shepherds with their utter lack of spiritual discernment. Their defining characteristic isn't just their self-serving appetite, but their profound inability to understand their role, leading them to pursue personal gain instead of the flock's well-being.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the preceding verses, God promises acceptance and blessing to all who love and serve Him, including foreigners and eunuchs, emphasizing His house as a house of prayer for all nations. This verse sharply contrasts those faithful individuals with the corrupt spiritual leaders of Israel, who are depicted as self-serving, ignorant, and spiritually dead. Following this, Isaiah will describe the joyous future for those who follow God, highlighting the abundance and peace they will experience.
Why does Isaiah use the image of 'dogs' to describe spiritual leaders? It’s not just about hunger, but a dangerous lack of spiritual discernment.
Isaiah contrasts the insatiable appetite of 'dogs' with the lack of understanding in 'shepherds.' These aren't just any leaders; they are supposed to be spiritual guides for God's people.
The Greedy Dog
The 'greedy dogs' are characterized by their 'mighty appetite' and never having enough. This speaks to a deep, consuming desire for more – whether it's wealth, power, or self-gratification. This isn't a healthy hunger, but a destructive greed that leaves them perpetually unsatisfied.
The Uncomprehending Shepherd
These same leaders are also described as 'shepherds who have no understanding.' They are ignorant of God's ways and incapable of discerning what the flock truly needs. Instead of leading with wisdom and care, they are lost and unable to guide.
Together, these images paint a picture of leaders who are driven by selfish desires rather than spiritual insight. They are spiritually empty, yet constantly grasping, and incapable of fulfilling their God-given role.
When leaders stop looking to God, where do they inevitably turn? This verse reveals a stark reality about misplaced loyalty.
The core problem with these leaders is their redirection of loyalty and purpose. Instead of focusing on God's glory or the well-being of the people, their attention is entirely self-absorbed.
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Looking to Their Own Way
The phrase 'they have all turned to their own way' signifies a deliberate departure from God's path. They are not simply lost; they have actively chosen a different direction, one dictated by their own desires and agendas.
Seeking Personal Gain
This self-directed path is explicitly for 'each to his own gain, one and all.' Their motivation is selfish enrichment. This gain isn't just financial; it encompasses any personal advantage they can seize, whether it's status, comfort, or control.
This turning inward, away from divine calling and toward personal profit, is the ultimate betrayal of their role as shepherds. They become conduits of self-interest rather than channels of God's provision and guidance.
Understand the original words
keleb · Hebrew Noun
In biblical imagery, this term is frequently used as a term of contempt for those who are morally debased, unclean, or who act in a predatory and shameless manner.
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun
A figure of authority tasked with the spiritual care, feeding, and protection of God’s people. When used negatively, it describes leaders who have abandoned their duty for selfish interests.
binah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to spiritual discernment or wisdom. In a biblical context, it is the ability to perceive God’s will and understand the seriousness of His truth, which these leaders lack.
derek · Hebrew Noun
A common biblical description of human rebellion, where individuals reject God’s prescribed path in favor of their own desires, autonomy, and personal interests.
betsa' · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, this often denotes unjust profit or illicit gain acquired through the neglect of duty or the exploitation of others.
This prophecy was delivered during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, a time when the people of Judah had experienced God's judgment due to the corruption and self-interest of their leaders. The critique of 'shepherds' who are 'greedy dogs' reflects the failures of past religious and political leaders, serving as a sharp warning against repeating those mistakes as God promises future restoration and a more inclusive community.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry in Judah during a time of relative peace but growing internal corruption and spiritual decline.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many and scattering the population. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This crisis highlights the nation's vulnerability and the need for true faithfulness.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law and initiates sweeping reforms to restore worship according to God's commands. This period sees a renewed emphasis on justice and righteousness.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and First Temple
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, and exiles much of the population. This marks a catastrophic turning point for the people of God.
c. 550-530 BC— this verse
Exilic and Post-Exilic Period
During and after the Babylonian exile, prophets like Deutero-Isaiah (traditionally attributed to Isaiah) address the spiritual condition of the exiles and anticipate future restoration and inclusion of foreigners.
This passage also uses the shepherd metaphor to describe corrupt leaders who exploit and neglect their flock, mirroring the self-serving shepherds in Isaiah.
Micah 3:1-3Micah echoes Isaiah's condemnation of leaders who 'devour' their people, highlighting their greed and lack of concern for justice.
1 Peter 5:2-3Peter contrasts the self-serving shepherds condemned by Isaiah with the example of true spiritual leaders who care for God's flock willingly and without seeking personal gain.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns against 'false prophets' who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves, a parallel to the destructive, self-serving nature of the 'shepherds' in Isaiah.
Philippians 3:18-19Paul speaks of 'enemies of the cross of Christ' whose minds are set on earthly things and who pursue their own gain, similar to the self-centered focus of the 'greedy dogs' and shepherds in Isaiah.
wesleyIsaiah 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."
56:11 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.
clarkeIsaiah 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."
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, hirelin…
The verse powerfully contrasts the insatiable greed of these false shepherds with their utter lack of spiritual discernment. Their defining characteristic isn't just their self-serving appetite, but their profound inability to understand their role, leading them to pursue personal gain instead of the flock's well-being.
In the preceding verses, God promises acceptance and blessing to all who love and serve Him, including foreigners and eunuchs, emphasizing His house as a house of prayer for all nations. This verse sharply contrasts those faithful individuals with the corrupt spiritual leaders of Israel, who are depicted as self-serving, ignorant, and spiritually dead. Following this, Isaiah will describe the joyous future for those who follow God, highlighting the abundance and peace they will experience.
In the preceding verses, God promises acceptance and blessing to all who love and serve Him, including foreigners and eunuchs, emphasizing His house as a house of prayer for all nations. This verse sharply contrasts those faithful individuals with the corrupt spiritual leaders of Israel, who are depicted as self-serving, ignorant, and spiritually dead. Following this, Isaiah will describe the joyous future for those who follow God, highlighting the abundance and peace they will experience.
"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." — The verse powerfully contrasts the insatiable greed of these false shepherds with their utter lack of spiritual discernment. Their defining characteristic isn't just their self-serving appetite, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026