Jeremiah 23
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE WICKED RULERS TO BE SUPERSEDED BY THE KING, WHO SHOULD REIGN OVER THE AGAIN UNITED PEOPLES, ISRAEL AND JUDAH. (Jer. 23:1-40) pastors--Shallum, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah (Eze 34:2).
Open source ↗Woe be unto the pastors,.... Or, "O ye shepherds" or "governors", as the Targum; the civil rulers and magistrates, kings and princes of the land of Israel; since ecclesiastical rulers, the priests and prophets, are mentioned as distinct from them in Jer 23:9; whose business it was to rule and guide, protect and defend, the people: but, instead of that, they were such that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord God; set them bad examples, led them into idolatry and other sins, which were the cause of their ruin, and of their being carried captive, and scattered in other countries; and their sin was the more aggravated, inasmuch as these people were the Lord's pasture sheep, whom he had an interest in, and a regard unto, and had committed them to the care and charge of these pastors or governors, to be particularly taken care of.
Open source ↗The gathering again of the flock, scattered by the evil shepherds, by meant of the righteous branch from the stock of David. - Jer 23:1. "Woe to shepherds that destroy and scatter the flock of my pasturing! saith Jahveh. Jer 23:2. Therefore thus saith Jahveh, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, saith Jahveh. Jer 23:3. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all lands whither I have driven them, and bring them back to their pasture, that they may be fruitful and increase; Jer 23:4. And will raise up over them shepherds that shall feed them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor be lacking, saith Jahveh. Jer 23:5. Behold, days come, saith Jahveh, that I raise up unto David a righteous branch, that shall reign as king, and deal wisely, and do right and justice in the land. Jer 23:6. In his days Judah shall have welfare, and Israel dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jahveh our Righteousness. Jer 23:7. Therefore, behold, days come, saith Jahveh, that they shall no more say: By the life of Jahveh who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, Jer 23:8. But: By the life of Jahveh who brought up and led forth the seed of the house of Israel out of the land towards midnight, and out of all the lands whither I had driven them, and they shall dwell in their own land." This portion is the conclusion of the prophecy concerning the shepherds of Israel, Jer 22. In Jer 23:1 and Jer 23:2 what has been foretold concerning the last kings of Judah is condensed into one general sentence, so as thus to form a point of connection for the declaration of salvation which follows at J…
Open source ↗I. Here is a word of terror to the negligent shepherds. The day is at hand when God will reckon with them concerning the trust and charge committed to them: Woe be to the pastors (to the rulers, both in church and state) who should be to those they are set over as pastors to lead them, feed them, protect them, and take care of them. They are not owners of the sheep. God here calls them the sheep of my pasture, whom I am interested in, and have provided good pasture for. Woe be to those therefore who are commanded to feed God's people, and pretend to do it, but who, instead of that, scatter the flock, and drive them away by their violence and oppression, and have not visited them, nor taken any care for their welfare, nor concerned themselves at all to do them good. In not visiting them, and doing their duty to them, they did in effect scatter them and drive them away. The beasts of prey scattered them, and the shepherds are in the fault, who should have kept them together. Woe be to them when God will visit upon them the evil of their doings and deal with them as they deserve. They would not visit the flock in a way of duty, and therefore God will visit them in a way of vengeance. II. Here is a word of comfort to the neglected sheep. Though the under-shepherds take no care of them, no pains with them, but betray them, the chief Shepherd will look after them. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord taketh me up. Though the interests of God's church in the world are neglected by those who should take care of them, and postponed to their own private secular interests, yet they shall not therefore sink. God will perform his promise, though those he employs do not perform their duty. 1. The dispersed Jews shall at length return to their own land, and be happil…
Open source ↗23:1-8 The Lord rebuked the three kings (ch 22) and contrasted them with the righteous leader he would place over his people after the Exile. 23:1 Kings in the ancient Near East were often referred to as shepherds. Good shepherds would protect and care for their people, but Judah’s kings scattered their people instead.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) מִרְעִית (mirʻîyth, H4830) — pasturage; concretely, a flock נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… רֹעַ (rôaʻ, H7455) — badness (as marring), physically or morally מַעֲלָל (maʻălâl, H4611) — an act (good or bad) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just צֶמַח (tsemach, H6780) — a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) בֶּטַח (beṭach, H983) — properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה צִדְקֵנוּ (Yᵉhôvâh tsidqênûw, H3072) — Jehovah-Tsidkenu, a symbolical epithet of the Messiah and of Jerusalem
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness)
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… רָחַף (râchaph, H7363) — to brood; by implication, to be relaxed שִׁכּוֹר (shikkôwr, H7910) — intoxicated, as astate or a habit אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) נָאַף (nâʼaph, H5003) — to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָלָה (ʼâlâh, H423) — an imprecation אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail נָאָה (nâʼâh, H4999) — a home; figuratively, a pasture מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… מְרוּצָה (mᵉrûwtsâh, H4794) — a race (the act), whether the manner or the progress רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûwrâh, H1369) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
Open source ↗נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… חָנֵף (chânêph, H2610) — to soil, especially in a moral sense בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb חֲלַקְלַקָּה (chălaqlaqqâh, H2519) — properly, something very smooth; i.e. a treacherous spot; figuratively, blandishment אֲפֵלָה (ʼăphêlâh, H653) — duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment דָּחָה (dâchâh, H1760) — to push down נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) פְּקֻדָּה (pᵉquddâh, H6486) — visitation (in many senses, chiefly official) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… תִּפְלָה (tiphlâh, H8604) — frivolity נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שַׁעֲרוּרָה (shaʻărûwrâh, H8186) — something fearful נָאַף (nâʼaph, H5003) — to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) סְדֹם (Çᵉdôm, H5467) — Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, yet have seen nothing.
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
The wind will drive away all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Then you will be ashamed and humiliated because of all your wickedness.
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.
The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.
Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.