Jeremiah 33 13

Jeremiah 33:13 kjv

In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13 nkjv

In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks shall again pass under the hands of him who counts them,' says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13 niv

In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,' says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13 esv

In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13 nlt

Once again shepherds will count their flocks in the towns of the hill country, the foothills of Judah, the Negev, the land of Benjamin, the vicinity of Jerusalem, and all the towns of Judah. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Jeremiah 33 verses

Jeremiah 33 13 meaning

Jeremiah 33:13 promises a comprehensive restoration of prosperity and security across all regions of Judah after a period of desolation. It paints a picture of the land teeming with life once again, specifically referencing the meticulous care of shepherds counting their flourishing flocks. This imagery signifies not just physical abundance but also the divine re-establishment of order, peace, and covenant relationship with God's people, ensuring their safekeeping and blessing in the promised land.

Jeremiah 33 13 Context

Jeremiah 33:13 is part of the "Book of Consolation" (chapters 30-33) within the larger prophetic book of Jeremiah. This section was delivered by Jeremiah while he was imprisoned in the court of the guard, during the intense Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Jer 33:1). At this time, Judah was facing utter devastation, famine, and exile, with seemingly no hope for the future. The prevailing circumstances presented a stark contrast to any notion of prosperity. Chapters 30-33 articulate God's unwavering covenant promises, focusing on future restoration, the return of the exiles, the establishment of a New Covenant, and the enduring Davidic lineage and Levitical priesthood. Verse 13 specifically expands on the promise of national renewal by picturing tangible signs of recovery and thriving agricultural and pastoral life throughout the land, which was desolate during the judgment. It reassures an audience witnessing imminent destruction that divine intervention will reverse their dire fortunes.

Jeremiah 33 13 Word analysis

• In the cities of the hill country (בְּעָרֵ֨י הָהָ֜ר֙ - bĕʿārê hāhār):
  • בְּעָרֵי (bĕʿārê): "In the cities of". The prefix be- means "in" or "among." ʿārê is the construct plural of ʿir (city). This emphasizes inhabited centers.
  • הָהָר֙ (hāhār): "the hill country," "the mountains." Refers to the central mountainous region of Judah, including Jerusalem, a significant area. This was typically more fertile and defensible. The definite article 'ha-' specifies it. Its inclusion emphasizes that the core heartland of Judah will be restored.
• in the cities of the lowland (וּבְעָרֵ֨י הַשְּׁפֵלָ֜ה֙ - ûḇĕʿārê haššəphēlâ):
  • וּבְעָרֵי (ûḇĕʿārê): "and in the cities of". The waw prefix means "and".
  • הַשְּׁפֵלָה (haššəphēlâ): "the lowland" or "Shephelah". This is the transitional region between the central highlands and the coastal plain, characterized by rolling hills and valleys, known for agriculture. Its mention ensures geographical totality, covering fertile agricultural lands.
• and in the cities of the Negeb (וּבְעָרֵ֨י הַנֶּֽגֶב - ûṿĕʿārê hanneḡeḇ):
  • הַנֶּגֶב (hanneḡeḇ): "the Negeb" or "the South." This is the semi-arid, often desolate southern desert region of Judah. Its inclusion is significant, indicating that even the most barren and challenging parts of the land will experience restoration, leaving no part untouched by God's promise.
• flocks (צֹאן֙ - ṣōʾn):
  • Refers collectively to sheep and goats. These animals were essential for the ancient Israelite economy, providing wool, meat, milk, and skins, and were central to sacrificial rituals. Their abundance signifies renewed prosperity and sustenance. In prophetic literature, "flock" often metaphorically represents the people of Israel (Eze 34; Ps 79:13).
• shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them (תַּֽעֲבֹ֥רְנָה צֹ֖אן עַל־יְדֵ֣י מוֹנֶ֑ה - taʿăḇōrnâ ṣōʾn ʿal-yĕḏê môneh):
  • תַּֽעֲבֹ֥רְנָה (taʿăḇōrnâ): "they shall pass." From the verb ʿāḇar meaning "to pass over/through."
  • עַל־יְדֵי (ʿal-yĕḏê): "under the hands of" or "by means of the hands of." This phrase indicates being under the control, guidance, or careful inspection of someone.
  • מוֹנֶ֑ה (môneh): "the one who counts" or "the teller." This refers to a shepherd who carefully counts his sheep. This action was a regular practice for several reasons:
    1. Checking for completeness: Ensuring all sheep are present and none are lost (cf. Lk 15:4).
    2. Health assessment: Inspecting individual animals.
    3. Tithing: Lev 27:32 describes how every tenth animal that "passes under the shepherd's staff" is considered holy to the Lord. This signifies ownership by God and meticulous accounting.
  • The phrase as a whole evokes imagery of a peaceful, well-managed flock, secured, abundant, and under a watchful, caring eye. It reverses the scattering and loss that would occur during wartime, signifying peace and a return to normal, thriving life. It points to divine order and care for God's restored people.
• declares the Lord (נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃ - nəʾum-YHWH):
  • This is a prophetic formula, an authoritative statement often used to conclude a divine pronouncement. It signifies that the preceding promise is not mere human wishful thinking but a sure, irreversible word directly from God, the covenant-keeping Lord. It underlines the certainty and absolute reliability of the promise, a vital reassurance during a time of great uncertainty.

Words-group Analysis:

• "In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the Negeb": This tripartite geographical description (hill country, Shephelah, Negeb) emphasizes the complete and utter restoration of the entire land of Judah, from north to south, and west to east. It conveys a picture of universal blessing, signifying that no region will remain untouched by God's renewing hand, making the promise holistic and comprehensive. This rhetorical device underlines totality.
• "flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them": This vivid phrase highlights divine providence and human agency working in concert, though initiated by God. The counting implies order, possession, meticulous care, and abundance after a period of chaos and loss. It suggests that what was once scattered, plundered, or diseased will be restored to health, numbers, and careful management. For an agrarian society, the well-being of flocks was directly linked to the prosperity and survival of the people, making this an extremely powerful promise of revival.

Jeremiah 33 13 Bonus section

The "shepherd and flock" motif is one of the richest and most enduring metaphors in the Bible for God's relationship with His people. Jeremiah 33:13 is a powerful Old Testament precursor to the New Testament portrayal of Jesus as the Good Shepherd (Jn 10). The meticulous counting implies God's intimate knowledge of His own, echoing Jesus' statement that He knows His sheep by name (Jn 10:3) and even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matt 10:30).

The reference to "passing under the hand" could also subtly allude to a blessing and an establishment of new ownership and order. During the Exodus, the Israelites "passed under" the strong hand of the Lord out of Egypt (Ex 13:3), a formative act of redemption. Here, the flock (representing God's people) passes under the shepherd's hand into a new era of care and prosperity. The ultimate fulfillment of this restored and carefully shepherded flock is seen in the New Covenant and in the church, with Christ as the ultimate, eternal Shepherd, tending to His sheep in every generation and every land.

Jeremiah 33 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 33:13 delivers a potent message of hope and complete restoration amidst despair. During Jerusalem's final agonizing siege, the prospect of any animal life, let alone thriving flocks being meticulously counted in all regions of Judah, would have seemed utterly impossible. Yet, God's promise here is definitive and comprehensive. The explicit mention of the "hill country," "lowland," and "Negeb" acts as a geographical synecdoche, assuring that the entirety of Judah, regardless of its terrain or previous devastation, would participate in this renewal.

The image of "flocks passing under the hands of the one who counts them" is profoundly significant. It directly contrasts the desolation, scattering, and uncounted losses of war and exile. It signifies the return of peaceful, settled existence where life can be maintained and wealth built. The act of counting by a shepherd represents ownership, care, security, and prosperity. It harkens back to biblical practices where counting of flocks was essential for management, well-being, and even tithing, marking animals as holy (Lev 27:32). This promise thus speaks to more than mere survival; it foresees an organized, prosperous, and secure future under divine superintendence. This meticulous divine care for His physical flock (animals) symbolizes His even greater, ultimate care for His spiritual "flock"—His people Israel, and by extension, the church. The assurance, "declares the Lord," underscores the divine origin and unbreakable certainty of this future restoration, rooting hope in God's immutable character.

Practically, this verse reminds us that:

1. Even in profound loss, God promises complete restoration. Just as the ravaged land was to flourish, so can personal desolations be overcome by divine grace.
2. God’s care is personal and meticulous. He counts every sheep, signifying His individual attention to each of His people, not merely the collective.
3. Order returns after chaos. The promise of well-managed flocks signals that God brings peace and structure back to disrupted lives and communities.