The concept of wandering leads naturally to the picture of sheep and so to the allusion of a shepherd. The term “overseer” could be taken as an equivalent to “shepherd,” emphasizing the notion that the shepherd watches over those in his care. But it can also be a subtle illusion to the term “master” in 1 Peter 2:18, indicating that even as slaves need to submit to their masters (whether gentle or crooked), there is Another who is watching over them—one who has their “souls” at heart, that is, their full and true selves (as opposed to simply their bodies as sources of production).
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.