Jeremiah 23 4

Jeremiah 23:4 kjv

And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:4 nkjv

I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:4 niv

I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:4 esv

I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:4 nlt

Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Jeremiah 23 verses

Jeremiah 23 4 meaning

Jeremiah 23:4 conveys God's solemn promise to His people, announcing His intention to appoint faithful leaders ("shepherds") who will genuinely care for them. This divine action will result in an end to their fear, dismay, and any sense of loss or deficiency. It marks a clear contrast to the corrupt and destructive leadership that previously scattered and failed the flock, guaranteeing a future of security, provision, and spiritual well-being under divinely chosen care.

Jeremiah 23 4 Context

Jeremiah 23:4 comes directly after God's scathing denunciation of the "shepherds" (referring primarily to the kings and unfaithful religious leaders) of Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 23:1-2. These false leaders have failed their duty, scattered God's flock, and neglected them, leading to severe consequences for the people, including impending exile. Verse 3 begins the promise of restoration, where God Himself gathers the remnant of His flock. Verse 4 elaborates on this restoration by promising divinely appointed, faithful leadership, directly contrasting the condemned shepherds of the previous verses. Historically, this prophecy was given during the period leading up to the Babylonian exile, when Judah was experiencing the disastrous consequences of incompetent and idolatrous kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, along with corrupt priests and false prophets. The promise offered a glimmer of hope amidst national disaster and divine judgment, pointing towards a future of true peace and security under God's righteous rule, which ultimately finds its fulfillment in the Messiah.

Jeremiah 23 4 Word analysis

• I will set (וְהִקְמֵתִּי vehikameti): This is a strong Hiphil imperfect verb in Hebrew, indicating God's active and decisive initiative. It's a promise of divine establishment, signifying that these good shepherds will not arise from human political maneuvering but from God's direct sovereign will. The responsibility for true leadership rests solely with God.
• shepherds (רֹעִים ro'im): In the ancient Near East, kings and leaders were often described as shepherds of their people. This term here explicitly refers to human leaders, but it's important to distinguish them from the false "shepherds" denounced earlier. These will be true, God-fearing leaders, appointed by God, who act as His agents in caring for the flock.
• over them (עֲלֵיהֶם alehem): Refers to "my sheep" (וְאֶשְׁכֶם eshekhem) in verse 3 – the gathered remnant of Israel whom God has collected from various lands. This emphasizes the direct relationship between the new leadership and the people who have experienced previous neglect.
• who will feed them (וְרָעוּם verau'um): The verb רָעוּ ra'u literally means "to shepherd," encompassing not just providing food but also protecting, guiding, nurturing, and leading. It signifies comprehensive care, both spiritual and physical. This directly contrasts with the "scattering" and "destroying" done by the previous shepherds.
• they shall fear no more (וְלֹא-יִירְאוּ עוֹד velo-yire'u od): The word יִירְאוּ yire'u means "to be afraid, dread, fear." "No more" (עוֹד od) signifies a complete cessation of their previous anxiety and terror, which would have stemmed from political instability, foreign threats, and corrupt domestic leadership. It implies deep, lasting security.
• nor be dismayed (וְלֹא-יֵחַתּוּ velo-yeḥattu): The verb יֵחַתּוּ yeḥattu means "to be shattered, to be broken down, to be dismayed, terrified." This goes beyond external fear to describe an internal state of demoralization, despair, or loss of hope. God promises to remove this spiritual and psychological brokenness, restoring courage and confidence.
• neither shall any be lacking (וְלֹא-נִפְקַדּוּ עוֹד velo-nifqaddu od): The verb נִפְקַדּוּ nifqaddu (Niphal passive) literally means "to be visited, to be mustered, to be missing, to be overlooked." In this context, it implies that none will be missing from the flock (lost through scattering, death, or being overlooked) and none will experience any want or neglect. Every individual will be accounted for and adequately provided for.
• declares the Lord (נְאֻם-יְהוָה ne'um-YHWH): This is a prophetic formula, a divine oracle, emphasizing that these promises are not human conjectures but the authoritative, certain word of Yahweh. It assures the absolute reliability and inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment.

Words-group Analysis

• "I will set shepherds over them who will feed them": This phrase highlights God's direct intervention and redemptive initiative. It contrasts divine appointment with human failure, promising a proactive and caring leadership that provides holistic nourishment and guidance for the people. This points to the ultimate shepherd, Jesus Christ, and to righteous, Christ-like leaders in the church.
• "they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking": This threefold promise describes a state of profound well-being and security, covering external threats ("fear no more"), internal psychological states ("nor be dismayed"), and existential provision/completeness ("neither shall any be lacking"). It paints a picture of a flourishing, whole community under benevolent governance, free from the anxieties and deprivations that characterized their past under poor leadership. This encompasses a vision of Messianic peace and spiritual completeness found in God's Kingdom.

Jeremiah 23 4 Bonus section

The promise of "shepherds after my own heart" (Jer 3:15) sets a theological precedent for the type of leadership envisioned in Jer 23:4—leaders who genuinely embody God's character and priorities. This highlights that true leadership is derived from divine commission and character, not worldly power or ambition. This prophetic ideal transcends immediate post-exilic leadership, creating an eschatological expectation that culminates in the righteous "Branch of David" (Jer 23:5), identifying the Messiah as the ultimate and perfect shepherd. Thus, while the verse speaks of multiple "shepherds," the larger prophetic narrative of Jeremiah strongly implies a singular, preeminent shepherd under whom all other good shepherds operate or to whom they point. This transition from "shepherds" in the plural to the singular "Shepherd" (e.g., Eze 34:23, Jn 10) indicates a progressively clearer revelation of God's ultimate plan for leadership through Christ.

Jeremiah 23 4 Commentary

Jeremiah 23:4 is a powerful declaration of God's redemptive grace following His judgment on corrupt leadership. It offers a counter-narrative to the despair of a scattered flock, promising active, divinely ordained leadership that will fundamentally reverse the conditions of fear, dismay, and loss. The passage underscores God's personal commitment to His people's welfare, demonstrating that He will not abandon them to incompetent rule but will establish a just and caring administration. While initially pointing to restored human leadership post-exile, its full theological weight and comprehensive nature ultimately point towards the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the "Good Shepherd" (Jn 10) who perfectly fulfills these promises of protection, provision, and peace. It reminds believers that true security and flourishing come not from human systems but from God's active, faithful presence and the leaders He appoints, who faithfully embody His care.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • In a church, effective elders or pastors (shepherds) ensure the congregation is spiritually nourished, feels secure in its faith, and is not led astray, fostering a sense of belonging and protection.
  • A good Christian leader in any sphere strives to foster an environment where their team feels supported, confident in their direction, and valued, preventing discouragement or feeling lost.