Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 17:16

"As for me, I have not hastened from being a shepherd after thee; neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was before thy face." — Jeremiah 17:16 (ASV)

I have not hastened ... —The words of the English Version are somewhat obscure, and a better rendering would perhaps be, I have not been quick to withdraw from my work in following you, as a shepherd and guide of the people.

A possible meaning, adopted by some commentators, is, “I have not hastened from my work as a shepherd (in the literal sense) to follow you,” presenting a parallel to the words of Amos (Amos 7:14–15). Although we cannot get beyond conjecture, it is quite possible that Jeremiah, in his youth, before the call of Jeremiah 1:4, may have been employed in the pasture grounds that belonged to Anathoth as a city of the priests (Numbers 35:4; Joshua 21:4; Joshua 21:18; 1 Chronicles 6:60).

It is to some extent in favour of this view that throughout the book, when used figuratively, the work of the shepherd corresponds to the work of the ruler, and not to that of the prophet.

What he means, if we keep the version given above, is that he had not been too slack in his obedience, but neither had he been over eager. He had no desire to see the woeful day that would fulfil his predictions. What had come from his lips was just what he had been commanded to say and no more (Jeremiah 15:16–19), and thus he had spoken as in the sight of God.

The interpolated word “right” mars rather than mends the meaning.