Jeremiah 25:35 kjv
And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
Jeremiah 25:35 nkjv
And the shepherds will have no way to flee, Nor the leaders of the flock to escape.
Jeremiah 25:35 niv
The shepherds will have nowhere to flee, the leaders of the flock no place to escape.
Jeremiah 25:35 esv
No refuge will remain for the shepherds, nor escape for the lords of the flock.
Jeremiah 25:35 nlt
You will find no place to hide;
there will be no way to escape.
Jeremiah 25 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 23:1 | Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! | Judgment on false shepherds |
| Ezekiel 34:2-10 | Describes judgment on shepherds who feed themselves instead of the flock. | Parallel condemnation |
| Zechariah 11:1-17 | God appoints shepherds who are broken and abandoned, symbolizing judgment. | Symbolism of broken shepherds |
| John 10:11-13 | Contrasts the true Shepherd (Jesus) with hirelings who flee from the wolf. | True vs. False shepherds |
| Matthew 9:36 | Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless. | Shepherd's duty |
| Mark 6:34 | Jesus saw the crowds and felt pity for them, because they were like sheep. | Shepherd's compassion |
| Luke 11:46 | Woe to you lawyers, for you load people with burdens they can hardly carry. | Judgment on oppressive leaders |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Elders are urged to shepherd God's flock willingly and be examples. | Shepherd's responsibility |
| Isaiah 56:9-12 | Denounces watchmen who are greedy and do not discern, leading people astray. | Warning against greedy leaders |
| Micah 3:5 | Accuses prophets who lead God's people astray for personal gain. | Polemic against false prophets |
| Jeremiah 8:10 | The prophets and priests have shown themselves foolish. | Incompetence of leaders |
| Jeremiah 50:6 | My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray. | Specific accusation |
| Jeremiah 51:45 | Go out of her midst, my people, and let everyone save his own life. | Call to escape judgment |
| Psalms 78:70-72 | God chose David to shepherd his people, to lead them with integrity. | Ideal leadership |
| Acts 20:28-31 | Paul warns the Ephesian elders about wolves who would come in among them. | Future threat to the flock |
| Revelation 18:4 | Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins. | Parallel call to separation |
| Proverbs 29:18 | Where there is no vision, the people perish. | Consequences of poor leadership |
| 2 Timothy 4:3-4 | People will not endure sound teaching but will accumulate teachers to suit themselves. | Rejection of truth |
| Jeremiah 14:15 | I did not send these prophets, yet they have run their message. | Unauthorized prophecy |
| Jeremiah 23:16 | Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you, they fill you with empty hopes. | False assurances |
| Isaiah 9:16 | Those who guide this people have misled them, and those who are guided by them have been confused. | Guidance and confusion |
Jeremiah 25 verses
Jeremiah 25 35 Meaning
This verse signifies the utter devastation awaiting the shepherds and leaders of Israel, who are blamed for leading the flock astray. Their flight will be impossible, their escape unachieved, highlighting divine judgment upon them for their faithlessness and poor leadership.
Jeremiah 25 35 Context
Jeremiah 25 is a pivotal chapter where Jeremiah prophesies the seventy-year Babylonian captivity for Judah and all surrounding nations due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God. He stands before the people in Jerusalem, proclaiming God's impending judgment. This particular verse, Jeremiah 25:35, acts as a specific condemnation aimed at the leadership of Israel—the shepherds of God's flock. It comes after a broad pronouncement of judgment and emphasizes the particular sin of their leaders, who were responsible for guiding and protecting the people, but instead led them into ruin. The historical context is one of increasing apostasy, false prophecy, and political instability, leading to the inevitable judgment by Babylon.
Jeremiah 25 35 Word Analysis
- Shame (בּשֶׁת - bosheth): In Hebrew, this word signifies shame, disgrace, confusion, and sometimes astonishment or awe. It implies a complete lack of refuge and a profound sense of ignominy. It is often linked to destruction and humiliation.
- Flight (נְסָת - nesath): Derived from the root נ.ס.ס (n.s.s), meaning to flee, escape, or put to flight. Here it denotes an act of running away, seeking to escape danger.
- Escape (מִמָּלֵט - mimmalet): From the root מָלַט (malat), meaning to escape, be delivered, or make escape. It refers to a place or means of escape, indicating that no such provision will be available.
- Saviour (מוֹשִׁיעַ - movshia): From the root י.ש.ע (y.sh.a), meaning to save, deliver, or help. It refers to one who rescues or brings deliverance. The verse asserts that the "leaders" will not be able to save themselves or their followers.
- The highest of the flock (בְּכֹרֵי צֹאן - bekhorei tson): Literally "firstborn of the flock" or "chief of the flock." This emphasizes the leaders, the most important or esteemed among the people, indicating that even those in positions of prominence will not be spared. It refers to the leaders, the prominent ones.
- Scattered (בֻּזְּרָה - buzzerah): Passive participle of ז.ר.ה (z.r.h), meaning to scatter, disperse, or spread. It depicts the state of being spread out widely, often with negative connotations of being lost or preyed upon.
Word Groups Analysis
- "Neither flight nor escape for the leaders of the flock": This phrase, encompassing "nesath" and "mimmalet," forms a powerful declaration of complete entrapment. The leaders, who are supposed to guide and protect, will find themselves unable to flee or find any haven from the impending judgment. This emphasizes the totality of divine judgment upon those entrusted with leadership.
- "The LORD declares": This explicit statement, found throughout Jeremiah, attributes the pronouncement directly to God. It underscores the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy.
Jeremiah 25 35 Bonus Section
The concept of "shepherds" leading the "flock astray" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. False shepherds are condemned for greed, violence, and neglecting the sheep, often for their own benefit. This verse reinforces the theological principle that leadership is a sacred trust, and failure in this trust invites severe divine repercussions. The imagery of scattering connects with the breaking of the covenant and the subsequent dispersion of God's people, which these leaders, by their actions, had precipitated.
Jeremiah 25 35 Commentary
Jeremiah 25:35 is a stark denunciation of corrupt leadership within Israel. The "shepherds"—the kings, priests, and other prominent figures—failed in their God-given duty to guide, protect, and nourish the people, whom God considers His flock. Instead, they led them into sin and away from God's favor. This verse highlights that these leaders will not only face judgment themselves but will be utterly incapable of saving themselves or anyone else from the devastation. Their inability to "flee" or find an "escape" underscores the completeness of God's judgment upon their unfaithfulness. The reference to the "chief of the flock" shows that even the most exalted will be brought low. The scattered imagery implies they will be broken, dispersed, and consumed, just as they had scattered and failed to protect their people. This resonates with similar prophecies in Ezekiel 34 and Zechariah 11, and finds its ultimate contrast in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10).