Jeremiah 31:10 kjv
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 31:10 nkjv
"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.'
Jeremiah 31:10 niv
"Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'
Jeremiah 31:10 esv
"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.'
Jeremiah 31:10 nlt
"Listen to this message from the LORD,
you nations of the world;
proclaim it in distant coastlands:
The LORD, who scattered his people,
will gather them and watch over them
as a shepherd does his flock.
Jeremiah 31 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 31:10 | Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.” | Divine Gathering of scattered people |
| Isa 40:11 | He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. | Shepherd Imagery |
| Ps 23:1-6 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want... | God as Shepherd |
| Ps 100:3 | Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. | God's Ownership of His People |
| Ezek 34:11-16 | For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out... | God's Active Search for His Sheep |
| Ezek 37:21-22 | say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph (the pole of Ephraim) and his associated tribes, and I will place them with him, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand.’ | Reunion of Israel and Judah |
| Hos 1:11 | The children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up out of the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel. | Future Gathering of Nations |
| Zech 10:8-10 | I will whistle for them and gather them, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as numerous as they were once before. I will sow them among the peoples, and they shall remember me in far countries, and they shall bear children and return. I will bring them back from the land of Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, until there is no room for them. | Promise of Regathering |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. | Jesus as the Good Shepherd |
| John 10:16 | And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, with one shepherd. | Unity of Believers |
| Acts 20:28-29 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. | Shepherd-like Care for the Church |
| Heb 13:20 | Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our great shepherd, Jesus our Lord... | Jesus as Shepherd brought from the dead |
| 1 Pet 2:25 | For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. | Return to the Shepherd |
| Rev 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. | Lamb as Shepherd |
| Jer 3:18 | In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance. | Future union of Judah and Israel |
| Jer 16:15 | ...and when they come, say: ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the countries into which he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land, with which I gave to their fathers. | God bringing His people back from all nations |
| Isa 11:12 | He will raise a signal for the nations, and will gather the dispersed of Israel, and assemble the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. | Signal for Nations to gather dispersed Israel |
| Jer 32:37 | “Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I will have driven them in my anger and in my wrath and in my great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. | God will gather them from all the countries |
| Zeph 3:18-19 | I will gather those in mourning who are appointed for your feast; they are yours. But affliction was their burden. Surely I will at that time deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcasts, and I will prepare for myself a people. | God will gather the outcasts |
| Matt 25:31-33 | “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left. | Sheep and Goats Separation |
Jeremiah 31 verses
Jeremiah 31 10 Meaning
This verse proclaims a joyful declaration of salvation for the redeemed, specifically referring to Israel, who will be brought back from exile. It highlights the divine protection and preservation of God's people as they journey through wilderness-like conditions. The passage emphasizes that God is their Shepherd, leading them to pastures of abundance and peace.
Jeremiah 31 10 Context
Jeremiah 31 is part of a larger section of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning future hope and restoration. Following prophecies of judgment and exile for Judah's unfaithfulness, this chapter offers a powerful message of renewed covenant and abundant blessing. It describes a coming day when God will regather His people, establish a new covenant, and restore them to their land. Verse 10 specifically follows the prophecy of the new covenant (Jer 31:31-34) and anticipates the joyous return from exile and the tender care God will provide. Historically, this was a message of immense comfort to a nation facing or experiencing the devastation of Babylonian invasion and exile, assuring them of God's unfailing faithfulness and redemptive power. The imagery of a shepherd gathering and tending a scattered flock speaks to a people who felt lost and abandoned.
Jeremiah 31 10 Word Analysis
- Hear (sh'ma' - שְׁמָע): A fundamental Hebrew word signifying not just to physical hearing, but also to obedience and understanding. It is a call to attention, demanding a response.
- the word (dabar - דָּבָר): Refers to God's spoken message, His declaration.
- of the LORD (YHWH - יְהוָה): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship and redemptive promises to His people.
- O nations (goyim - גּוֹיִם): Can refer to gentile nations as well as the broader people of Israel (though when referring to Israel, often used in contrast to other nations). Here it is a proclamation to the world.
- and declare it (wagged’ā-tāh bĕmāhăqôlôṯ – וְגִדַּטָה בִּמְקוֹמוֹת נְשָׁמוֹת): "And announce it with shouts/declarations in the distant coastlands." This emphasizes a public and widespread proclamation. "Coastlands" (ʾīyîm – אִיִּים) suggests remote, far-off places, underscoring the universality of the message.
- say (imrû – אִמְרוּ): Imperative verb, commanding the declaration.
- He who scattered (mephar – מְפָר): From the root para, meaning to scatter or disperse. This acknowledges the reality of exile.
- Israel (Yisra'el - יִשְׂרָאֵל): Refers to the people of God, historically the descendants of Jacob.
- will gather him (yisboṭśenû – יִסְּבּוֹנוּ): From the root sabha, meaning to collect, gather, assemble. It speaks of a deliberate and purposeful regathering.
- and keep him (weśamar-lô – וְשׁמַר-לֹו): Implies protection, safeguarding, and diligent care.
- as a shepherd (keboker Ḏehalô – כְּבֹקֵר צֹאנוֹ): This simile is rich with meaning. A shepherd knew his sheep individually, led them to pasture and water, protected them from predators, and guided them home. The possessive "his flock" (Ḏehalô – צֹאנוֹ) signifies ownership and responsibility.
Words-group analysis:
- "He who scattered Israel will gather him": This powerful phrase directly addresses God's sovereignty over both judgment (scattering) and mercy (gathering). It reassures the people that the one who allowed their dispersion will orchestrate their return and reunification.
- "as a shepherd does his flock": This comparison is central to understanding God's care. It denotes personal knowledge, diligent protection, provision, and leadership for His people. It contrasts with the failures of human shepherds depicted elsewhere in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 31 10 Bonus Section
The concept of God as the shepherd of His people is a pervasive and beloved theme throughout Scripture, appearing from the earliest accounts of Genesis to the final vision of Revelation. It reflects a deep understanding of relational care. For the ancient Israelites, shepherds were essential figures who guided flocks through dangerous terrain, ensuring their survival and sustenance. This verse echoes Psalm 23, highlighting God's provision and protection. The scattering is seen as a consequence of sin and the breaking of covenant, but the regathering signifies the establishment of a new, unbreakable covenant and the faithful fulfillment of His promises. This theme is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who not only laid down His life for the sheep but also continues to gather all believers into one flock. The scope of the proclamation, extending to "nations" and "coastlands," hints at the eventual universal nature of salvation, ultimately realized in the inclusion of Gentiles within God's redeemed people through Christ.
Jeremiah 31 10 Commentary
This verse is a beautiful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and restorative power. Despite the judgment of scattering through exile, God promises to actively gather His people. The imagery of the shepherd is not merely illustrative but theological, portraying God as deeply invested in the well-being of His flock. He knows them individually, watches over them vigilantly, and will lead them to safety and nourishment. This isn't a passive observation of His people's plight, but an active intervention to collect and safeguard them. The message extends beyond the physical return from Babylonian exile to encompass the ultimate ingathering of believers in Christ, who is the Good Shepherd. It underscores that God's sovereignty is displayed not only in His initial election of Israel but also in His ongoing preservation and redemptive care for His covenant people.