Jeremiah 23:3 kjv
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Jeremiah 23:3 nkjv
"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Jeremiah 23:3 niv
"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Jeremiah 23:3 esv
Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
Jeremiah 23:3 nlt
But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Jeremiah 23 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 23:3 | And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their pastures; and they shall be fruitful, and multiply. | Jeremiah 23:3 |
| Ezekiel 34:11-13 | For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and by all the inhabited places of the country. | Ezekiel 34:11-13 (Similar imagery of gathering) |
| Isaiah 11:12 | And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. | Isaiah 11:12 (Promise of regathering) |
| Zechariah 10:8 | I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased. | Zechariah 10:8 (Divine gathering and increase) |
| Psalm 23:1-3 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. | Psalm 23:1-3 (Shepherd imagery, restoration) |
| John 10:11, 14 | I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ... I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. | John 10:11, 14 (Jesus as the Good Shepherd) |
| Luke 15:4-7 | What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. | Luke 15:4-7 (Parable of the lost sheep) |
| Matthew 18:12-14 | How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the Father's will, that one of these little ones should perish. | Matthew 18:12-14 (Similar parable, focus on God's will) |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but will correct thee in measure; yet will I not utterly cut thee off. | Jeremiah 30:10 (Reassurance against destruction) |
| Jeremiah 31:8-10 | Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that is in travail with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will lead them beside the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. | Jeremiah 31:8-10 (Detailed promise of regathering) |
| Ezekiel 36:24 | For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. | Ezekiel 36:24 (Reiteration of ingathering) |
| Acts 1:5, 8 | For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be unto me witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. | Acts 1:5, 8 (Spiritual ingathering and witness) |
| Romans 11:26 | And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: | Romans 11:26 (Spiritual salvation of Israel) |
| Galatians 3:14 | That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. | Galatians 3:14 (Universal blessing through faith) |
| John 11:52 | And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. | John 11:52 (Jesus gathering scattered children of God) |
| Revelation 7:9 | After this I looked, and, behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; | Revelation 7:9 (Universal gathering of believers) |
| Jeremiah 3:15 | And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. | Jeremiah 3:15 (Future faithful shepherds) |
| Deuteronomy 30:3 | That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will turn again and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. | Deuteronomy 30:3 (Mosaic covenant, conditional return) |
| Isaiah 40:11 | 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. | Isaiah 40:11 (Shepherd imagery of gentleness) |
| Ezekiel 37:21-22 | And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and of the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. | Ezekiel 37:21-22 (Unification of Israel) |
Jeremiah 23 verses
Jeremiah 23 3 Meaning
The Lord will gather the remnant of his flock. He will bring them back from all the lands to which he has scattered them. He will then restore them to their pasture and they will be fruitful and increase. This signifies a future restoration for the people of Israel, emphasizing divine care and renewed prosperity after a period of exile and dispersion.
Jeremiah 23 3 Context
Jeremiah 23:3 is part of a larger oracle in Jeremiah 23 that addresses the corrupt leadership of Israel, particularly the shepherds (kings and priests) who have led the people astray. The prophet contrasts these false shepherds with the promise of a future, righteous King and Shepherd. The immediate context is God's condemnation of the unfaithful leaders and the subsequent promise of restoration for the remnant of His people who have been scattered due to the failure of these leaders. Historically, this speaks to the exilic period and beyond, envisioning a future ingathering and renewed blessing for the scattered nation. The chapter moves from judgment on the false shepherds to the promise of a true Shepherd, fulfilling God’s covenant promises.
Jeremiah 23 3 Word Analysis
- וְאָסַפְתִּי (wə'āsaphtî): "And I will gather."
- From the root (ĀSÂP) - meaning to gather, collect, assemble, take away. This is a strong action verb implying a purposeful and comprehensive collection.
- Significance: It emphasizes God's active and deliberate intervention to bring back His scattered people, leaving no one behind.
- וְשִׂגַּגֶת (wəśiggæt): "and I will bring them again to their pastures" or "they shall be fruitful and increase". The Hebrew word is often translated as "fruitful" or "increase," referring to reproductive prosperity.
- The Hebrew word here is likely וְשִׂמְחוּ (wəśimḥû), meaning "and they shall rejoice," or a similar root related to abundance and fruitfulness. If we consider a common alternative text form וְשָׂבַעְתָּ (wəśāvaʿtā) which can relate to being full or satisfied and by extension fertile. Another possibility is that the verse should imply both feeding and a resulting fruitfulness, using imagery of a flock well-fed in lush pastures.
- Significance: This word group speaks of restoration to a place of safety and sustenance, leading to a flourishing existence, mirroring the abundance found in healthy pastures.
- שְׁאֵרִית (šə'ērît): "remnant."
- From the root (ŠÂ'AR) - meaning to leave over, remain.
- Significance: This refers to those who survive and are left after judgment and scattering, highlighting that God's saving action is directed towards those who remain. It signifies hope even amidst devastation.
- צֹאנִי (ṣō'ənî): "my flock."
- Derived from (ṢŌ'ÊN) - flock, sheep.
- Significance: This possessive pronoun ("my") underscores God's intimate relationship and ownership of His people, emphasizing His tender care and responsibility for them, similar to a shepherd for his sheep.
- מִכָּל־הָאֲרָצוֹת (mikkāl-hā'ărāṣôṯ): "out of all countries."
- Structure: preposition (mikkāl - out of all) + definite article (hā) + noun (hā'ărāṣôṯ - lands/countries).
- Significance: This phrase highlights the extent of the diaspora, indicating that God’s gathering action is comprehensive, transcending geographical boundaries where His people have been dispersed.
- וְהֵשִׁיבֹתִי (wəhēšîvōṯî): "and will bring them again."
- From the root (ŠÛV) - meaning to return, turn back. The Hiphil stem here means "to cause to return."
- Significance: This is a powerful promise of a reverse movement, returning the scattered back to their original inheritance and place of belonging, under God’s direct guidance.
- מִרְעִיתָם (mirʿîṯām): "to their pastures."
- Derived from (MÂR'ēh) - pasture, feeding place.
- Significance: This returns to the shepherd imagery, signifying a place of safety, nourishment, and spiritual sustenance, where they can thrive under proper care.
- וּפָרוּ (ūfārû): "and they shall be fruitful."
- From the root (PÂRÂH) - meaning to bear fruit, be fruitful, multiply.
- Significance: This signifies a return to the covenant blessing of increase and abundance, not just in number but also in prosperity and vitality, fulfilling promises of growth and blessing.
- וְרָבוּ (wərāḇû): "and multiply."
- From the root (RÂḇÂH) - meaning to be or become numerous, multiply, grow great.
- Significance: Reinforces the idea of increase, emphasizing a prolific and substantial restoration of the nation.
Jeremiah 23 3 Bonus Section
The concept of God as a shepherd meticulously caring for His flock is a pervasive theme throughout the Old Testament. This passage directly aligns with Ezekiel’s similar prophecies of regathering (Ezekiel 34) and Hosea's descriptions of God's love for wayward Israel (Hosea 11). The "remnant" concept is crucial, highlighting that God’s judgment is not absolute destruction, but a purifying process that preserves a faithful few. The New Testament fully embraces this prophetic vision, with Jesus identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd who seeks and lays down His life for the sheep (John 10), and His promise of gathering scattered children of God (John 11:52). The ultimate fulfillment is seen in the great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, gathered before the throne (Revelation 7:9), demonstrating the universal scope of God's redemptive gathering through Christ.
Jeremiah 23 3 Commentary
This verse offers a profound promise of divine restoration. It shifts focus from the judgment of corrupt leaders to the compassionate action of God. He Himself will act as the Good Shepherd, personally gathering His scattered flock – the remnant who survived judgment and dispersion. The imagery is deeply pastoral, depicting a return to lush pastures, symbolizing safety, provision, and spiritual well-being. The outcome of this divine gathering is not merely survival but flourishing: fruitfulness and multiplication. This promise echoes the Abrahamic covenant of blessing and expansion. It speaks to a future where God’s people, restored and unified, will once again thrive under His benevolent care, underscoring God’s faithfulness despite human failures. This points forward to the ingathering of believers by Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd.