Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 12:10

"Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness." — Jeremiah 12:10 (ASV)

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard. — The use of the word “pastors,” with all its modern spiritual associations, instead of “shepherds” (Jeremiah is the only book in the Old Testament, it may be noted, in which the word occurs), is particularly unfortunate in this passage, where the “pastors” are reckless and destructive.

Here the image is that of the shepherds of a wild, nomadic tribe (who represent the Chaldean and other invaders), breaking down the fence of the vineyard, and taking in their flocks to browse upon the tender shoots of the vine. The thought is the same as that of the boar out of the wood (Psalms 80:13), but the “shepherds” are introduced to bring in the thought of the organization and systematic plan of destruction.