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 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 23:4 | And I will set up over them shepherds... | Direct Prophecy of Restoration |
| Ezekiel 34:2 | Woe to the shepherds of Israel... | Condemnation of False Shepherds |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | For thus says the Lord GOD... I will seek out my sheep... | God's Direct Care for His Flock |
| Jeremiah 30:9 | But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king... | Restoration of Davidic Kingdom |
| Isaiah 9:6-7 | For unto us a child is born... And his name shall be called Wonderful... | Prophecy of the Messianic Ruler |
| Micah 5:2 | But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah... from you shall come forth for me... | Birthplace of the Messiah |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd... | Jesus claims to be the Good Shepherd |
| John 10:14-16 | I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and am known by my own... | Jesus' Relationship with His Sheep |
| Hebrews 13:20 | Now may the God of peace, who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead... | Christ the Great Shepherd |
| 1 Peter 5:4 | And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory... | Christ as the Chief Shepherd |
| Psalm 23:1-6 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | The Lord as Shepherd |
| Jeremiah 50:19 | But Israel shall return to the LORD their God and to His covenant... | Promise of Israel's Return |
| Zechariah 11:4-5 | Thus says the LORD my God: “Tend the flock, doomed to slaughter... | Contrast to Poor Shepherds |
| Zechariah 11:7 | So I tended the flock doomed to slaughter, for the sake of the flock... | God Tending His Flock |
| Jeremiah 23:1-3 | Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!... | Warning Against Bad Shepherds |
| Ezekiel 37:24 | My servant David shall be king over them... | Davidic King in Future Restoration |
| Luke 1:32-33 | He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High... | Prophecy of Jesus' Kingship |
| Acts 2:30 | Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him... | David's Seed on the Throne |
| Romans 11:26 | And so all Israel will be saved... | Future Salvation of Israel |
| Revelation 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd... | Christ as Shepherd in Heaven |
Jeremiah 23 verses
Jeremiah 23 4 Meaning
This verse is a prophecy of hope concerning the restoration of Israel. It assures that despite the poor leadership ("shepherds") that has led the people astray, God Himself will raise up a righteous descendant from David's line. This new shepherd will faithfully care for His flock, guiding them and ensuring their safety and prosperity.
Jeremiah 23 4 Context
This prophecy appears in Jeremiah chapter 23, which heavily criticizes the unfaithful leaders and priests of Judah. These "shepherds" had not properly cared for God's people, leading them into sin and exile. They are likened to those who have scattered and devoured the flock. This verse, therefore, stands as a strong contrast and a promise of future restoration, moving beyond the immediate failures of human leadership to God's ultimate plan for His people through a Davidic king. Historically, it would have resonated with an audience suffering under incompetent or corrupt rulers, offering a message of enduring hope centered on God's faithfulness and a divinely appointed leader.
Jeremiah 23 4 Word Analysis
- And (וְ - ve): Connects this promise to the preceding condemnations, indicating a direct consequence or counter-action by God.
- I (אֲנִי - ani): Emphatic, highlighting God's personal involvement and agency in this act of salvation and leadership.
- will set up (אַפְקִיד - afkid): To appoint, to entrust, to set in place. It signifies a deliberate placement and commissioning by God.
- over them (עֲלֵיהֶם - aleihem): Pertains to the people of Israel, His flock who had been scattered.
- shepherds (רֹעִים - ro'im): Leaders, caretakers, those responsible for guiding and protecting. Here, it specifically refers to the divinely appointed, righteous leaders in contrast to the faithless ones previously condemned.
- and they shall feed them (וְרָעוּם - verā'ūm): To tend, to pasture, to care for. This emphasizes the active, nurturing role of the future shepherd.
- and they shall fear no more (וְלֹא יִירְאוּ עוֹד - velō' yīrā'ū ōd): Assurance of safety and security; absence of fear stemming from ineffective leadership or divine displeasure.
- nor be lacking (וְלֹא יִתְאָבְּדוּ - velō' yit'ābvōdū): Not perish, not be lost. This promises complete provision and protection.
- neither (וְלֹא - velō'): Another negation, reinforcing the assurance of complete provision.
- any (מִכֻּלָּם - mikullām): From all of them; signifying completeness in the provision and protection.
- said the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה - ne'um YHWH): The Lord's declaration, imparting divine authority and certainty to the promise.
Word Groups Analysis:
- "shepherds and they shall feed them": This group highlights the restorative action of true leadership, contrasting sharply with the "shepherds" who had devoured the flock in earlier verses. It speaks to nurturing, guiding, and protecting.
- "they shall fear no more, nor be lacking": This phrase emphasizes the security and abundance that will characterize the people under this new leadership. It addresses both the psychological (fear) and physical (lacking) aspects of well-being.
Jeremiah 23 4 Bonus Section
The concept of God being a Shepherd is a profound and recurring theme throughout Scripture, from the Psalmist's famous declaration in Psalm 23 to Jesus' own identification as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10. This particular verse from Jeremiah is significant because it bridges the Old Testament expectation of a Davidic king who would lead His people, with the New Testament reality of Jesus Christ, who fulfills this role perfectly. The failure of Israel's kings and religious leaders meant a deep need for divine intervention. This prophecy reassures Israel that God's plan for them would not be thwarted by human sin or incompetence. It sets a pattern of hope for restoration through divine leadership that continues to speak to believers today about Christ's ongoing care.
Jeremiah 23 4 Commentary
Jeremiah 23:4 serves as a pivotal promise within a chapter that primarily details judgment on corrupt leadership. The Almighty declares He will personally intervene, not through the failed human systems, but by appointing His own appointed shepherds. This speaks to a future ideal leadership, rooted in Davidic succession, though it clearly finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and gathers a scattered flock, ensuring they are no longer afraid or wanting. This prophecy signifies divine faithfulness, a corrective measure against the failures of earthly leaders, and a foretelling of ultimate, complete security under a righteous King and Shepherd.