Jeremiah 23:1-2
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about bad leaders; it highlights that God calls the people "my pasture." This means these leaders weren't just failing their own constituents, but were fundamentally betraying God's precious flock and His own divine ownership.
The prophet Jeremiah begins this section with a harsh denunciation against the leaders of Judah, whom God likens to shepherds who fail and even harm their flock. These "shepherds"—the kings, princes, and priests—have not protected or guided the people but have instead scattered them through their corrupt leadership and false teachings, leading to ruin and exile. This is immediately followed by God's promise to gather the remnant of His flock and raise up a righteous descendant from David's line to rule justly.
Jeremiah opens with a thunderous declaration: 'Woe!' This isn't just a sigh of disappointment; it's a serious pronouncement of judgment. Who are these 'shepherds,' and why do they earn such a severe rebuke?
Jeremiah's message starts with a stark denunciation. The 'shepherds' aren't literal sheep herders, but the leaders of Israel – kings, princes, priests, and even prophets. God uses the imagery of a shepherd to highlight their expected role: to care for, protect, and guide His people, the 'sheep of my pasture.'
A Broken Trust
Instead of nurturing, these leaders actively 'destroy and scatter.' Their actions lead to the people's ruin, exile, and spiritual desolation. They are not fulfilling their God-given responsibility but are, in fact, the very cause of the flock's suffering. This is a profound betrayal of trust, not just of the people, but of God himself, who claims them as His own flock.
The Weight of 'Woe'
The word 'Woe' (Hebrew: hoy) in this context is a cry of lament and a declaration of impending judgment. It signifies that severe consequences will follow their destructive leadership. God sees their actions, and He will hold them accountable for the scattering and destruction they have wrought.
Who truly owns the flock? Jeremiah emphasizes that these aren't just any sheep; they belong to God. This divine ownership has huge implications for how their leaders are expected to act and for God's ultimate plan.
The phrase 'my pasture' and 'my sheep' is incredibly significant. It’s a constant reminder that the people of Israel, despite their failures and the corruption of their leaders, are ultimately God's possession.
Divine Ownership
This isn't a casual ownership. God is the chief Shepherd (Psalm 23; John 10:11). He has a covenant relationship with His people and considers them His own flock. When their leaders, appointed or self-appointed, mistreat them, they are not just harming people; they are disrespecting and damaging God's own property and dishonoring His name.
Understand the original words
hoy · Hebrew Interjection
A prophetic cry of judgment or grief, often used to announce impending doom, divine displeasure, or condemnation upon those who persist in wickedness.
ro‘im · Hebrew Noun (plural)
A metaphor for leaders—kings, priests, or prophets—entrusted by God to guide, protect, and feed His people. Biblical shepherds are accountable to the Great Shepherd, Yahweh, for the well-being of the flock.
tson · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant people of God, whom He claims as His own possession. As a flock, they are dependent on His guidance, protection, and provision.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His holiness, faithfulness, and eternal nature as the Redeemer of Israel.
This prophecy comes at the absolute lowest point for Judah, following the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by Babylon. The 'shepherds' Jeremiah condemns are the corrupt leaders – kings, princes, and priests – who failed to protect God's people, leading to this catastrophe. The verse is a powerful indictment of leadership failure and a prelude to God's promise of future restoration through a righteous shepherd.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its population and ending its existence as a distinct entity. This event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deports a portion of Judah's elite, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline and exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further weakens the kingdom and increases despair.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population. This is the nadir of Judah's history, leaving them without a land, a king, or a central place of worship.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah's lament, condemning the shepherds (leaders) of Israel for feeding themselves instead of the flock, and prophesying God's intervention to save His sheep from their neglect and cruelty.
Psalm 78:52This psalm recounts Israel's history, likening God's people to sheep and describing how, during times of wicked leadership, they were scattered and led astray, mirroring the situation Jeremiah addresses.
1 Peter 5:2Peter, writing to the church, exhorts elders to 'shepherd the flock of God that is among you,' directly contrasting with the destructive 'shepherds' Jeremiah condemns and highlighting the true shepherd's duty of care.
John 10:11Jesus identifies Himself as the 'good shepherd' who lays down His life for the sheep, a profound contrast to the self-serving, destructive 'shepherds' in Jeremiah who profit from the flock's ruin.
Zechariah 11:17This passage pronounces judgment on a worthless shepherd who neglects the flock, driving them away and allowing them to be devoured, serving as another powerful indictment of leadership that betrays its people.
clarkeJeremiah 23:1: "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD."
Wo be unto the pastors - There shall a curse fall on the kings, princes, priests, and prophets; who, by their vicious conduct and example, have brought desolation upon the people.
calvinJeremiah 23:1-3: "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD."
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Propterea sic dicit Jehova, Deus Israel, super Pastores pascentes populum meum, Vos dissipastis gregem meum et dispulistis, et non visitastis eos (vel…
The verse isn't just about bad leaders; it highlights that God calls the people "my pasture." This means these leaders weren't just failing their own constituents, but were fundamentally betraying God's precious flock and His own divine ownership.
The prophet Jeremiah begins this section with a harsh denunciation against the leaders of Judah, whom God likens to shepherds who fail and even harm their flock. These "shepherds"—the kings, princes, and priests—have not protected or guided the people but have instead scattered them through their corrupt leadership and false teachings, leading to ruin and exile. This is immediately followed by God's promise to gather the remnant of His flock and raise up a righteous descendant from David's line to rule justly.
The prophet Jeremiah begins this section with a harsh denunciation against the leaders of Judah, whom God likens to shepherds who fail and even harm their flock. These "shepherds"—the kings, princes, and priests—have not protected or guided the people but have instead scattered them through their corrupt leadership and false teachings, leading to ruin and exile. This is immediately followed by God's promise to gather the remnant of His flock and raise up a righteous descendant from David's line to rule justly.
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The Basis for Hope
Because the sheep are God's, there is hope even amidst this dire prophecy. Their scattering and destruction are not the final word. God's claim on them means He is invested in their welfare and will ultimately intervene. This divine ownership forms the foundation for the promise of restoration that follows this pronouncement of judgment.
c. 550 BC
Persian Empire Rises
Cyrus the Great of Persia begins his conquest, eventually overthrowing the Babylonian Empire. This shift in power will eventually lead to the return of the exiles.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Captures Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, opening the way for his decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their temple.
"“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them…" — The verse isn't just about bad leaders; it highlights that God calls the people "my pasture." This means these leaders weren't just failing their own constituents, but were fundamentally betraying…
