“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that their "shepherds" – their leaders – didn't just lead them astray; they actively turned them towards the "mountains." These weren't just any mountains, but the very places where Israel practiced idolatry, forsaking God for false gods. They've not only wandered off, but they've been deliberately steered toward dangerous, seductive spiritual high places, forgetting the true safety and rest found in God's presence.
“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage opens a lament over Israel's spiritual and national ruin, describing them as lost sheep who have been abandoned by their corrupt leaders. These "shepherds"—kings and religious authorities—have led the people away from God, causing them to wander into idolatry on mountains and hills and forget the safety and peace of God's fold. The verses that follow will then announce God's coming judgment on Babylon for its oppression of His people, followed by His promise to gather and restore Israel.
Ever feel like you're just drifting, unsure of where you belong or how you got there? Jeremiah uses a powerful image to describe God's people.
Jeremiah opens with a heartbreaking statement: 'My people have been lost sheep.' This isn't just about being physically misplaced; it speaks to a spiritual condition.
A Broken Relationship
God’s people were supposed to be His flock, cared for and guided. But they’ve wandered off. This imagery highlights their vulnerability and their separation from the safety and provision of their true Shepherd.
The Cause: Misleading Leaders
The verse doesn't just blame the sheep. It points a finger at the 'shepherds' – the leaders, both kings and religious figures, who were meant to guide them. Instead of leading them to nourishing pastures and safe folds, they led them astray.
Why would sheep wander from their cozy fold to dangerous mountains? Jeremiah gives us a clue about the destination of this straying flock.
The verse describes the straying sheep going 'from mountain to hill' and being led 'away on the mountains.' This imagery carries significant weight in the Old Testament context.
The Allure of Idolatry
For ancient Israel, the 'high places' – the mountains and hills – were notorious spots for idolatrous worship. These were places set apart, often overlooking the land, where people would offer sacrifices to foreign gods. Instead of finding God in His appointed place (like the Temple in Jerusalem), they were led to places of spiritual corruption.
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Forgotten Safety and Truth
As they wandered to these 'seductive mountains,' they 'forgotten their fold.' Their fold represented safety, security, and belonging under God’s care. By chasing after false gods on high places, they forgot their true home and the One who provided it. Their wandering wasn't aimless; it was a deliberate turn towards spiritual rebellion.
Understand the original words
ammi · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant community of Israel, chosen by God as His own possession and subject to His rule. It implies a unique relationship characterized by covenantal obligation and divine protection.
tso'n 'obdim · Hebrew Noun phrase
An animal known for its vulnerability, tendency to wander, and absolute need for the guidance and protection of a shepherd. Biblically, it symbolizes human helplessness apart from divine oversight.
ro'im · Hebrew Noun
Those entrusted with the spiritual leadership and care of God's people. When used negatively, it refers to leaders who abandon their duty or lead the people into idolatry and error.
Jeremiah's lament uses the imagery of lost sheep and negligent shepherds to describe the spiritual and national devastation of the Jewish people. Their straying from God, often through idolatry on 'high places,' led to their exile and scattering, making them forget their true 'fold' – God's presence and protection.
c. 750-700 BC
Rise of Idolatry on High Places
During the divided monarchy, many Israelite kings and people embraced idolatrous worship on 'high places' (mountains and hills) as a common practice, often syncretizing it with Yahwistic worship. This became a recurring theme of prophetic condemnation.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces deport King Jehoiachin and many of the Judean elite to Babylon. This marks a significant step in Judah's decline and the foreshadowing of the full exile.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event leaves the people spiritually and nationally adrift.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great begins his military conquests, eventually establishing the vast Persian Empire. His policies would later allow for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon. This opens the door for the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
This psalm beautifully echoes the imagery of God as the ultimate Shepherd caring for His sheep, contrasting with the unfaithful human shepherds in Jeremiah who led God's people astray.
Ezekiel 34:1-16This passage is a powerful indictment of the false shepherds of Israel, mirroring Jeremiah's complaint and highlighting God's intent to rescue and care for His sheep Himself.
Isaiah 53:6This verse directly compares people to lost sheep, emphasizing that their straying is a result of turning 'each to his own way,' aligning with Jeremiah's theme of forgetting their true fold.
Matthew 9:36Jesus' compassion for the crowds, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, connects deeply with Jeremiah's lament over the people's lost state due to their leadership.
Luke 15:3-7The parable of the lost sheep beautifully illustrates the joy in heaven when a 'lost sheep' is found, offering a hopeful counterpoint to the despair in Jeremiah's prophecy.
clarkeJeremiah 50:6: "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace."
My people hath been lost sheep - He pities them; for their pastors, kings, and prophets have caused them to err. They have gone from mountain to hill - In all high places they have practiced idolatry.
calvinJeremiah 50:6: "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace."
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting-place.
Grex perditus fuit populus meus, pastores eorum errare fecerunt ipsos,…
What's striking here is that their "shepherds" – their leaders – didn't just lead them astray; they actively turned them towards the "mountains." These weren't just any mountains, but the very places where Israel practiced idolatry, forsaking God for false gods. They've not only wandered off, but they've been deliberately steered toward dangerous, seductive spiritual high places, forgetting the true safety and rest found in God's presence.
This passage opens a lament over Israel's spiritual and national ruin, describing them as lost sheep who have been abandoned by their corrupt leaders. These "shepherds"—kings and religious authorities—have led the people away from God, causing them to wander into idolatry on mountains and hills and forget the safety and peace of God's fold. The verses that follow will then announce God's coming judgment on Babylon for its oppression of His people, followed by His promise to gather and restore Israel.
This passage opens a lament over Israel's spiritual and national ruin, describing them as lost sheep who have been abandoned by their corrupt leaders. These "shepherds"—kings and religious authorities—have led the people away from God, causing them to wander into idolatry on mountains and hills and forget the safety and peace of God's fold. The verses that follow will then announce God's coming judgment on Babylon for its oppression of His people, followed by His promise to gather and restore Israel.
"“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold." — What's striking here is that their "shepherds" – their leaders – didn't just lead them astray; they actively turned them towards the "mountains." These weren't just any mountains, but the very plac…
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Last reviewed October 2026