Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Isaiah 40:11 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 40:11	Strong Concordance	He shall feed [07462] his flock [05739] like a shepherd [07462]: he shall gather [06908] the lambs [02922] with his arm [02220], and carry [05375] them in his bosom [02436], and shall gently lead [05095] those that are with young [05763].
	King James	He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
feed--including all a shepherd's care--"tend" (Eze 34:23; Psa 23:1; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25). carry--applicable to Messiah's restoration of Israel, as sheep scattered in all lands, and unable to move of themselves to their own land (Psa 80:1; Jer 23:3). As Israel was "carried from the womb" (that is, in its earliest days) (Isa 63:9, Isa 63:11-12; Psa 77:20), so it shall be in "old age" (that is, its latter days) (Isa 46:3-4). gently lead--as a thoughtful shepherd does the ewes "giving suck" (Margin) (Gen 33:13-14).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

feed--including all a shepherd's care--"tend" (Eze 34:23; Psa 23:1; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25).

carry--applicable to Messiah's restoration of Israel, as sheep scattered in all lands, and unable to move of themselves to their own land (Psa 80:1; Jer 23:3). As Israel was "carried from the womb" (that is, in its earliest days) (Isa 63:9, Isa 63:11-12; Psa 77:20), so it shall be in "old age" (that is, its latter days) (Isa 46:3-4).

gently lead--as a thoughtful shepherd does the ewes "giving suck" (Margin) (Gen 33:13-14).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
He shall feed his flock - In the previous verse, the fact had been asserted that God would come to subdue his foes, and to reward his people. In this verse, the mild and gentle character of his government over his people is predicted. It would not be that of a conqueror over vanquished subjects; but it would be mild and tender, like that of a shepherd who carries the lambs, which are unable to walk, in his own arms, and gently leads along the feeble and the delicate. The verb translated "to feed' (ירעה yire‛eh), denotes more than our word feed at present. It refers to all the care of a shepherd over his flock; and means to tend, to guard, to govern, to provide pasture, to defend from danger, as a shepherd does his flock. It is often applied in the Scriptures to God represented as the tender shepherd, and especially to the Redeemer Psa 23:1; Eze 34:23; Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4. It is often applied to a leader or a ruler of a people Sa2 5:2; Sa2 7:7; Jer 32:2. Thus Homer often uses the phrase, ποιμήν λαῶν poimēn laōn - 'shepherds of the people,' to denote a ruler, or monarch. Here it denotes that God would evince toward his people the same tender care, guardianship and protection, which a shepherd shows for his flock. He shall gather the lambs with his arm - This is a most beautiful expression, denoting the care of God the Saviour for the feeblest and weakest of his people, and for the young and feeble in years and piety. A similar thing is often done by a shepherd. The tender lamb, unable to keep up with the flock, becomes weary and exhausted; and the shepherd naturally takes it in his arms and carries it. Such a shepherd as this Virgil beautifully describes: En, ipse capellas Protenus aeger argo; hancetiam vix, Tityre, duco; Hic inter densas corylos modo namque gemellos, Spem gregis, Ah! silice in nuda connixa reliquet. Eclog. i. 12. Lo! I my goats urge fainting o'er the mead; This, feebler than the rest, with pains I lead. Yean'd mid yon herds upon the flinty plain, Her dying twins, my flock's late hope, remain. Wrangham. And shall gently lead ... - Margin, 'Give suck.' This is the more correct translation. It denotes the dams of the flock that would be easily exhausted by being overdriven, and of which there was, therefore, special care necessary. Thus Jacob says to his brother Esau, Gen 33:13 : 'The flocks and the herds giving suck to their young are with me, and if they should be overdriven all the flock will die.' Of the necessity of such care and attention there is abundant evidence, and indeed it is manifest at a glance. Dr. Shaw, speaking of the exposure of the flocks in Syria, says: 'The greatest skill and vigilance, and even tender care, are required in the management of such immense flocks as wander on the Syrian plains. Their prodigious numbers compel the keepers to remove them too frequently in search of fresh pastures, which proves very destructive to the young that have not strength to follow.' The following extract from Anderson's Tour through Greece will also serve to illustrate this passage: 'One of the great delights in traveling through a pastoral country, is to see and feel the force of the beautiful imagery in the Scriptures, borrowed from pastoral life. All day long the shepherd attends his flock, leading them into "green pastures," near fountains of water, and chooses a convenient place for them to "rest at noon." At night he drives them near his tent; and, if there is danger, encloses them in the fold. They know his voice, and follow him. When traveling, he tenderly watches over them, and carries such as are exhausted in his arms. Such a shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ.' No description could more beautifully describe the character of the Redeemer. In the New Testament, he is often described as a kind and tender shepherd, and regarding the welfare of all his flock, and as ready to give his life for them Joh 10:7, Joh 10:9-11, Joh 10:14-15; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4. We are here also strikingly reminded of the solemn command which he gave to Peter, evincing his tender regard for his flock, 'Feed my lambs:' 'Feed my sheep' Joh 16:15-17. It proves in regard to the Redeemer: 1. That his nature is mild, and gentle, and tender. 2. That he has a kind regard for all his flock, and will consult the real interest of all, as a shepherd does of his flock. 3. That he has a special solicitude for the feeble and infirm, and that they will be the objects of his tender care. 4. That he feels a particular solicitude for the young. He knows their feebleness; he is acquainted with their temptations; he sees the importance of their being trained up with care; and he looks with deep interest, therefore, on all the efforts made to guard them from the ways of sin, and to train them up for his service (compare the note at Isa 42:3).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

He shall feed his flock - In the previous verse, the fact had been asserted that God would come to subdue his foes, and to reward his people. In this verse, the mild and gentle character of his government over his people is predicted. It would not be that of a conqueror over vanquished subjects; but it would be mild and tender, like that of a shepherd who carries the lambs, which are unable to walk, in his own arms, and gently leads along the feeble and the delicate. The verb translated "to feed' (ירעה yire‛eh), denotes more than our word feed at present. It refers to all the care of a shepherd over his flock; and means to tend, to guard, to govern, to provide pasture, to defend from danger, as a shepherd does his flock. It is often applied in the Scriptures to God represented as the tender shepherd, and especially to the Redeemer Psa 23:1; Eze 34:23; Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4. It is often applied to a leader or a ruler of a people Sa2 5:2; Sa2 7:7; Jer 32:2. Thus Homer often uses the phrase, ποιμήν λαῶν poimēn laōn - 'shepherds of the people,' to denote a ruler, or monarch. Here it denotes that God would evince toward his people the same tender care, guardianship and protection, which a shepherd shows for his flock.

He shall gather the lambs with his arm - This is a most beautiful expression, denoting the care of God the Saviour for the feeblest and weakest of his people, and for the young and feeble in years and piety. A similar thing is often done by a shepherd. The tender lamb, unable to keep up with the flock, becomes weary and exhausted; and the shepherd naturally takes it in his arms and carries it. Such a shepherd as this Virgil beautifully describes:

En, ipse capellas

Protenus aeger argo; hancetiam vix, Tityre, duco;

Hic inter densas corylos modo namque gemellos,

Spem gregis, Ah! silice in nuda connixa reliquet.

Eclog. i. 12.

Lo! I my goats urge fainting o'er the mead;

This, feebler than the rest, with pains I lead.

Yean'd mid yon herds upon the flinty plain,

Her dying twins, my flock's late hope, remain.

Wrangham.

And shall gently lead ... - Margin, 'Give suck.' This is the more correct translation. It denotes the dams of the flock that would be easily exhausted by being overdriven, and of which there was, therefore, special care necessary. Thus Jacob says to his brother Esau, Gen 33:13 : 'The flocks and the herds giving suck to their young are with me, and if they should be overdriven all the flock will die.' Of the necessity of such care and attention there is abundant evidence, and indeed it is manifest at a glance. Dr. Shaw, speaking of the exposure of the flocks in Syria, says: 'The greatest skill and vigilance, and even tender care, are required in the management of such immense flocks as wander on the Syrian plains. Their prodigious numbers compel the keepers to remove them too frequently in search of fresh pastures, which proves very destructive to the young that have not strength to follow.' The following extract from Anderson's Tour through Greece will also serve to illustrate this passage: 'One of the great delights in traveling through a pastoral country, is to see and feel the force of the beautiful imagery in the Scriptures, borrowed from pastoral life.

All day long the shepherd attends his flock, leading them into "green pastures," near fountains of water, and chooses a convenient place for them to "rest at noon." At night he drives them near his tent; and, if there is danger, encloses them in the fold. They know his voice, and follow him. When traveling, he tenderly watches over them, and carries such as are exhausted in his arms. Such a shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ.' No description could more beautifully describe the character of the Redeemer. In the New Testament, he is often described as a kind and tender shepherd, and regarding the welfare of all his flock, and as ready to give his life for them Joh 10:7, Joh 10:9-11, Joh 10:14-15; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4. We are here also strikingly reminded of the solemn command which he gave to Peter, evincing his tender regard for his flock, 'Feed my lambs:' 'Feed my sheep' Joh 16:15-17. It proves in regard to the Redeemer:

1. That his nature is mild, and gentle, and tender.

2. That he has a kind regard for all his flock, and will consult the real interest of all, as a shepherd does of his flock.

3. That he has a special solicitude for the feeble and infirm, and that they will be the objects of his tender care.

4. That he feels a particular solicitude for the young. He knows their feebleness; he is acquainted with their temptations; he sees the importance of their being trained up with care; and he looks with deep interest, therefore, on all the efforts made to guard them from the ways of sin, and to train them up for his service (compare the note at Isa 42:3).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
The prophet dwells upon this, the redeeming side not the judicial, as he proceeds to place the image of the good shepherd by the side of that of the Lord Jehovah. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd, take the lambs in His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are giving suck." The flock is His people, now dispersed in a foreign land. The love with which He tends this flock is shown, by way of example, in His conduct towards the טלאים (= טליים from טלי = טלה), the young lambs that have not long been born, and the עלות, those giving suck, lactantes (Vulg. fetae), not those that are sucking, sugentes (from עוּל med. Vav, to nourish). Such as cannot keep pace with the flock he takes in his arms, and carries in the bosom of his dress; and the mothers he does not overdrive, but ינהל (see at Psa 23:2), lets them go gently alone, because they require care (Gen 33:13). With this loving picture the prologue in Isa 40:1-11 is brought to a close. It stands at the head of the whole, like a divine inauguration of the prophet, and like the quintessence of what he is commanded to proclaim. Nevertheless it is also an integral part of the first address. For the questions which follow cannot possibly be the commencement of the prophecy, though it is not very clear how far they form a continuation. The connection is the following: The prophet shows both didactically and paraenetically what kind of God it is whose appearance to redeem His people has been prophetically announced in Isa 40:1-11. He is the incomparably exalted One. This incomparable exaltation makes the ignorance of the worshipers of idols the more apparent, but it serves to comfort Israel. And Israel needs such consolation in its present banishment, in which it is so hard for it to comprehend the ways of God.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Shall gently lead those that are with young "The nursing ewes shall he gently lead" - A beautiful image, expressing, with the utmost propriety as well as elegance, the tender attention of the shepherd to his flock. That the greatest care in driving the cattle in regard to the dams and their young was necessary, appears clearly from Jacob's apology to his brother Esau, Gen 33:13 : "The flocks and the herds giving suck to their young are with me; and if they should be overdriven, all the flock will die." Which is set in a still stronger light by the following remark of Sir John Chardin: "Their flocks," says he, speaking of those who now live in the east after the patriarchal manner, "feed down the places of their encampments so quick, by the great numbers that they have, that they are obliged to remove them too often, which is very destructive to their flocks, on account of the young ones, who have not strength enough to follow." Harmer's Observ. i., p. 126.

Top

¹³ And he said [0559] unto him, My lord [0113] knoweth [03045] that the children [03206] are tender [07390], and the flocks [06629] and herds [01241] with young [05763] are with me: and if men should overdrive [01849] them one [0259] day [03117], all the flock [06629] will die [04191].
¹⁴ Let my lord [0113], I pray thee, pass over [05674] before [06440] his servant [05650]: and I will lead on [05095] softly [0328], according as [07272] the cattle [04399] that goeth before me [06440] and the children [03206] be able to endure [07272], until I come [0935] unto my lord [0113] unto Seir [08165].

³ Hearken [08085] unto me, O house [01004] of Jacob [03290], and all the remnant [07611] of the house [01004] of Israel [03478], which are borne [06006] by me from the belly [0990], which are carried [05375] from the womb [07356]:
⁴ And even to your old age [02209] I am he; and even to hoar hairs [07872] will I carry [05445] you: I have made [06213], and I will bear [05375]; even I will carry [05445], and will deliver [04422] you.

²⁰ Thou leddest [05148] thy people [05971] like a flock [06629] by the hand [03027] of Moses [04872] and Aaron [0175].

¹¹ Then he remembered [02142] the days [03117] of old [05769], Moses [04872], and his people [05971], saying, Where is he that brought them up [05927] out of the sea [03220] with the shepherd [07462] of his flock [06629]? where is he that put [07760] his holy [06944] Spirit [07307] within [07130] him?
¹² That led [03212] them by the right hand [03225] of Moses [04872] with his glorious [08597] arm [02220], dividing [01234] the water [04325] before [06440] them, to make [06213] himself an everlasting [05769] name [08034]?

⁹ In all their affliction [06869] he was afflicted [06862], and the angel [04397] of his presence [06440] saved [03467] them: in his love [0160] and in his pity [02551] he redeemed [01350] them; and he bare [05190] them, and carried [05375] them all the days [03117] of old [05769].

³ And I will gather [06908] the remnant [07611] of my flock [06629] out of all countries [0776] whither I have driven [05080] them, and will bring them again [07725] to their folds [05116]; and they shall be fruitful [06509] and increase [07235].

¹ To the chief Musician [05329] upon Shoshannimeduth [07802], A Psalm [04210] of Asaph [0623]. Give ear [0238], O Shepherd [07462] of Israel [03478], thou that leadest [05090] Joseph [03130] like a flock [06629]; thou that dwellest [03427] between the cherubims [03742], shine forth [03313].

²⁵ For [1063] ye were [2258] as [5613] sheep [4263] going astray [4105]; but [235] are [1994] now [3568] returned [1994] unto [1909] the Shepherd [4166] and [2532] Bishop [1985] of your [5216] souls [5590].

²⁰ Now [1161] the God [2316] of peace [1515], that brought again [321] from [1537] the dead [3498] our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424], that great [3173] shepherd [4166] of the sheep [4263], through [1722] the blood [129] of the everlasting [166] covenant [1242],

¹ A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. The LORD [03068] is my shepherd [07462]; I shall not want [02637].

²³ And I will set up [06965] one [0259] shepherd [07462] over them, and he shall feed [07462] them, even my servant [05650] David [01732]; he shall feed [07462] them, and he shall be their shepherd [07462].

³ A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].

¹⁵ All things [3956] that [3745] the Father [3962] hath [2192] are [2076] mine [1699]: therefore [5124] [1223] said I [2036], that [3754] he shall take [2983] of [1537] mine [1699], and [2532] shall shew [312] it unto you [5213].
¹⁶ A little while [3397], and [2532] ye shall [2334] not [3756] see [2334] me [3165]: and [2532] again [3825], a little while [3397], and [2532] ye shall see [3700] me [3165], because [3754] I [1473] go [5217] to [4314] the Father [3962].
¹⁷ Then [3767] said [2036] some of [1537] his [846] disciples [3101] among [4314] themselves [240], What [5101] is [2076] this [5124] that [3739] he saith [3004] unto us [2254], A little while [3397], and [2532] ye shall [2334] not [3756] see [2334] me [3165]: and [2532] again [3825], a little while [3397], and [2532] ye shall see [3700] me [3165]: and [2532], Because [3754] I [1473] go [5217] to [4314] the Father [3962]?

⁴ And [2532] when the chief Shepherd [750] shall appear [5319], ye shall receive [2865] a crown [4735] of glory [1391] that fadeth not away [262].

¹⁴ I [1473] am [1510] the good [2570] shepherd [4166], and [2532] know [1097] my [1699] sheep, and [2532] am known [1097] of [5259] mine [1699].
¹⁵ As [2531] the Father [3962] knoweth [1097] me [3165], even so [2504] know [1097] I [2504] the Father [3962]: and [2532] I lay down [5087] my [3450] life [5590] for [5228] the sheep [4263].

⁹ I [1473] am [1510] the door [2374]: by [1223] me [1700] if [1437] any man [5100] enter in [1525], he shall be saved [4982], and [2532] shall go in [1525] and [2532] out [1831], and [2532] find [2147] pasture [3542].
¹⁰ The thief [2812] cometh [2064] not [3756], but [1508] for to [2443] steal [2813], and [2532] to kill [2380], and [2532] to destroy [622]: I [1473] am come [2064] that [2443] they might have [2192] life [2222], and [2532] that they might have [2192] it more abundantly [4053].
¹¹ I [1473] am [1510] the good [2570] shepherd [4166]: the good [2570] shepherd [4166] giveth [5087] his [846] life [5590] for [5228] the sheep [4263].

⁷ Then [3767] said [2036] Jesus [2424] unto them [846] again [3825], Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto you [5213], [3754] I [1473] am [1510] the door [2374] of the sheep [4263].

² For then the king [04428] of Babylon's [0894] army [02428] besieged [06696] Jerusalem [03389]: and Jeremiah [03414] the prophet [05030] was shut up [03607] in the court [02691] of the prison [04307], which was in the king [04428] of Judah's [03063] house [01004].

⁷ In all the places wherein I have walked [01980] with all the children [01121] of Israel [03478] spake [01696] I a word [01697] with any [0259] of the tribes [07626] of Israel [03478], whom I commanded [06680] to feed [07462] my people [05971] Israel [03478], saying [0559], Why build [01129] ye not me an house [01004] of cedar [0730]?

² Also in time past [0865] [08032], when Saul [07586] was king [04428] over us, thou wast he that leddest out [03318] and broughtest in [0935] Israel [03478]: and the LORD [03068] said [0559] to thee, Thou shalt feed [07462] my people [05971] Israel [03478], and thou shalt be a captain [05057] over Israel [03478].

⁴ And [2532] when the chief Shepherd [750] shall appear [5319], ye shall receive [2865] a crown [4735] of glory [1391] that fadeth not away [262].

¹⁴ I [1473] am [1510] the good [2570] shepherd [4166], and [2532] know [1097] my [1699] sheep, and [2532] am known [1097] of [5259] mine [1699].

¹ A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. The LORD [03068] is my shepherd [07462]; I shall not want [02637].

¹ Comfort [05162] ye, comfort [05162] ye my people [05971], saith [0559] your God [0430].
² Speak [01696] ye comfortably [03820] to Jerusalem [03389], and cry [07121] unto her, that her warfare [06635] is accomplished [04390], that her iniquity [05771] is pardoned [07521]: for she hath received [03947] of the LORD'S [03068] hand [03027] double [03718] for all her sins [02403].
³ The voice [06963] of him that crieth [07121] in the wilderness [04057], Prepare [06437] ye the way [01870] of the LORD [03068], make straight [03474] in the desert [06160] a highway [04546] for our God [0430].
⁴ Every valley [01516] shall be exalted [05375], and every mountain [02022] and hill [01389] shall be made low [08213]: and the crooked [06121] shall be made straight [04334], and the rough places [07406] plain [01237]:
⁵ And the glory [03519] of the LORD [03068] shall be revealed [01540], and all flesh [01320] shall see [07200] it together [03162]: for the mouth [06310] of the LORD [03068] hath spoken [01696] it.
⁶ The voice [06963] said [0559], Cry [07121]. And he said [0559], What shall I cry [07121]? All flesh [01320] is grass [02682], and all the goodliness [02617] thereof is as the flower [06731] of the field [07704]:
⁷ The grass [02682] withereth [03001], the flower [06731] fadeth [05034]: because the spirit [07307] of the LORD [03068] bloweth [05380] upon it: surely [0403] the people [05971] is grass [02682].
⁸ The grass [02682] withereth [03001], the flower [06731] fadeth [05034]: but the word [01697] of our God [0430] shall stand [06965] for ever [05769].
⁹ O Zion [06726], that bringest good tidings [01319], get thee up [05927] into the high [01364] mountain [02022]; O Jerusalem [03389], that bringest good tidings [01319], lift up [07311] thy voice [06963] with strength [03581]; lift it up [07311], be not afraid [03372]; say [0559] unto the cities [05892] of Judah [03063], Behold your God [0430]!
¹⁰ Behold, the Lord [0136] GOD [03069] will come [0935] with strong [02389] hand, and his arm [02220] shall rule [04910] for him: behold, his reward [07939] is with him, and his work [06468] before [06440] him.
¹¹ He shall feed [07462] his flock [05739] like a shepherd [07462]: he shall gather [06908] the lambs [02922] with his arm [02220], and carry [05375] them in his bosom [02436], and shall gently lead [05095] those that are with young [05763].

² He maketh me to lie down [07257] in green [01877] pastures [04999]: he leadeth [05095] me beside the still [04496] waters [04325].