Jeremiah 25:36 kjv
A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
Jeremiah 25:36 nkjv
A voice of the cry of the shepherds, And a wailing of the leaders to the flock will be heard. For the LORD has plundered their pasture,
Jeremiah 25:36 niv
Hear the cry of the shepherds, the wailing of the leaders of the flock, for the LORD is destroying their pasture.
Jeremiah 25:36 esv
A voice ? the cry of the shepherds, and the wail of the lords of the flock! For the LORD is laying waste their pasture,
Jeremiah 25:36 nlt
Listen to the frantic cries of the shepherds.
The leaders of the flock are wailing in despair,
for the LORD is ruining their pastures.
Jeremiah 25 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 23:1 | Thus says the Lord: "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" | Echoes the same denunciation. |
| Ezekiel 34:2 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?" | Parallel theme of unfaithful shepherds. |
| Micah 7:14 | Tend your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, who dwell alone in a woodland, in the midst of a fruitful pasture. Let them graze! | Contrasts God's tender care with human failure. |
| Zechariah 10:3 | "The anger of the LORD burns against the shepherds; he will punish the male goats. For the LORD of hosts inspects his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them his proud warhorse." | God's judgment on errant leaders. |
| Matthew 9:36 | When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. | Jesus' empathy for the lost sheep. |
| Mark 14:27 | And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’" | Prophecy fulfilled in Jesus' suffering. |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Contrast with unfaithful shepherds. |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you... | Exhortation to faithful shepherding. |
| Isaiah 13:3 | "I command my consecrated ones; I summon my warriors, my proudly exulting army, to execute my wrath." | Divine judgment through appointed agents. |
| Jeremiah 4:7 | "The lion has come up from the thicket, the destroyer of nations has set out. He has gone forth from his place to make your land desolate..." | Depicts an invading force as a destroyer. |
| Jeremiah 50:17 | "Israel is a scattered sheep that the lion has driven away. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and last this king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gnawed his bones." | Historical fulfillment of scattering. |
| Jeremiah 51:45 | "My people, go out of her midst, and let every one save his life from the fierce anger of the LORD." | Call for exodus from judgment. |
| Psalm 104:18 | "The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers." | Imagery of natural refuge. |
| Proverbs 23:10 | "Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless," | Warning against injustice. |
| Zephaniah 1:10 | "On that day," declares the LORD, "a cry will arise from the Fish Gate, and a wail from the Second Quarter, and a crash from the hills." | Sounds of devastation in Jerusalem. |
| Lamentations 5:18 | "For Mount Zion, which lies desolate; foxes have walked over it." | Description of desolation. |
| Amos 8:10 | "I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on all loins and baldness on every head..." | Divine judgment affecting joyous occasions. |
| Hosea 4:6 | "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me..." | Rejection due to lack of spiritual discernment. |
| Acts 1:16 | "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas..." | Emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy. |
| Hebrews 10:30 | "For we know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" | Affirmation of divine justice. |
Jeremiah 25 verses
Jeremiah 25 36 Meaning
This verse signifies the complete destruction and utter devastation awaiting the shepherds (leaders) of Israel. Their arrogance and pride will be laid bare, leading to their scattering and loss of their flock. Judgment will fall upon them for their failures, and the consequence is complete ruin.
Jeremiah 25 36 Context
Jeremiah 25 details God's judgment on Judah and surrounding nations for their sins. The chapter begins with God’s assessment of Judah's spiritual infidelity and the repercussions that will follow. God announces a prophecy of 70 years of Babylonian captivity, during which all nations that have oppressed Israel will also face God's wrath. Jeremiah 25:36 directly addresses the leaders of Israel, calling them "shepherds" and pronouncing doom upon them for their failure to care for the flock. This judgment is part of God's sovereign plan to discipline and ultimately restore His people. The historical context is the period leading up to the Babylonian invasion and exile, a time of profound spiritual and political crisis for Judah.
Jeremiah 25 36 Word Analysis
- Therefore (Lamentations 4:17 - therefore their ways are before the LORD): Implies a logical consequence of preceding actions or pronouncements of judgment.
- Thus (Jeremiah 49:21 - The land shall be astonished at the noise of their fear, at the slain of the sword in their deserts.): Indicates a statement of fact or pronouncement of doom.
- Says (Genesis 1:3 - And God said, Let there be light.): The declarative word of God, often a divine utterance.
- The LORD (Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.): Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His authority and relational aspect.
- For (Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen...): Introduces a reason or cause for the preceding statement.
- This (1 Samuel 16:7 - but the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on that which is before his eyes, but the LORD looks on the heart.): Refers to the preceding or following specific thing, in this case, the impending disaster.
- Land (Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.): The territory or dwelling place of Israel, specifically Judah.
- Shall they cry (Job 3:2 - And Job spake, and said,): A vocal expression of distress, pain, or anguish.
- From (Genesis 2:14 - And the name of the second river is Gihon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.): Indicates the source or origin of the cry.
- The shepherds (John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.): The leaders, rulers, and religious authorities responsible for guiding and protecting the people of Israel.
- Of Israel (Numbers 1:2 - Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers...): The people of God, highlighting the specific group being addressed.
- From (Mark 11:2 - And saith unto them, Go ye into the village over against you: and by and by ye shall find a colt tied, whereon was never man sat; loose him, and bring him.): Denotes separation or origin.
- The chief of them (Proverbs 8:16 - By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.): The most prominent, the leaders among the shepherds.
- For (1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.): Indicates the reason for the scattering.
- I (John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.): God speaking directly, asserting His authority and role in the coming judgment.
- Have done (John 3:19 - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.): Refers to the actions, both good and evil, that merit a response from God.
- Against (Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?): Indicates opposition or hostile action.
- The flock (Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.): The people of God, described as sheep who are vulnerable and require care.
Word Groups / Phrase Analysis
- "The LORD has done...": This phrasing emphasizes that the impending disaster is not a random event but a deliberate act of divine judgment orchestrated by God Himself.
- "Against the shepherds of Israel... the chief of them": This specific targeting of leadership indicates that the spiritual and political heads are primarily responsible for the nation's downfall and will bear the brunt of God's retribution.
- "From the flock": This suggests a violent displacement and scattering, not a gentle departure, highlighting the abrupt and destructive nature of the judgment.
Jeremiah 25 36 Bonus Section
The term "shepherd" used in relation to the leaders of Israel is a common metaphor in the ancient Near East. However, in the Old Testament, it carries a strong ethical and theological weight. God Himself is presented as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel (Ps. 23; Isa. 40:11). When earthly leaders fail to fulfill this role, they are not just failing practically but are also acting against God's own provision and care for His people. The "crying" of the flock emphasizes the pain and exploitation the people endured. The scattering, which follows, highlights the complete loss of order and security, making the people easy prey for their enemies, just as sheep without a shepherd are vulnerable to predators. This theme of failed shepherds is powerfully revisited in the New Testament by Jesus, who contrasts Himself as the "good shepherd" (John 10) who lays down His life for the sheep, unlike the hirelings who flee when danger comes (John 10:11-13).
Jeremiah 25 36 Commentary
This verse serves as a stark warning and pronouncement of judgment against the leadership of Israel. The "shepherds" refer to kings, princes, priests, and other authorities responsible for the spiritual and physical well-being of the nation. Their failure to adequately lead, protect, and care for the people, often characterized by self-interest and corruption, is the reason for God’s severe judgment. The imagery of the flock crying out signifies the distress and suffering of the people under such negligent leadership. The consequence is their scattering, mirroring the vulnerability of sheep when their shepherd is removed or absent, ultimately leading to devastation and ruin. This judgment reflects God's covenant faithfulness, holding His appointed leaders accountable for their stewardship. The prophetic fulfillment often points to the exiles and periods of national collapse when the leadership failed critically.