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Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh.

Verse Takeaways

1

Leaders Accountable to God

Multiple commentators clarify that the "shepherds" or "pastors" in this verse are primarily the civil rulers of Israel—the kings and officials. Their great sin was treating the people as their own possession to exploit, forgetting they were "the sheep of My pasture." This phrase asserts God's ultimate ownership, making the leaders' failure an offense directly against Him.

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

Jeremiah

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Commentaries

6

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Jeremiah 23:1

18th Century

Theologian

The pastors – shepherds, that is, civil rulers (Jeremiah 2:8).

The sheep of My pasture – literally, of My pasturin…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Jeremiah 23:1

19th Century

Bishop

Woe be unto the pastors ... —The message that follows in Jeremiah 23:1-8 comes as a natural sequel to that of Jeremiah 22…

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Jeremiah 23:1

19th Century

Preacher

What a dreadful woe this is upon all false shepherds – those who profess to be sent of God to instruct the people, but who are not sent of God at a…

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John Calvin

John Calvin

On Jeremiah 23:1–3

16th Century

Theologian

Here the Prophet promises the restoration of the Church, but he reminds hypocrites that there was no reason for them on that account to flatter the…

John Gill

John Gill

On Jeremiah 23:1

17th Century

Pastor

Woe be unto the pastors Or, "O you shepherds" or "governors", as the Targum; the civil rulers and magistrates, kings and …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Jeremiah 23:1–8

17th Century

Minister

Woe to those who are set to feed God's people but show no concern for doing them good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglected sheep. Though onl…

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