Jeremiah 10:21

KJV

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the pastors {H7462} are become brutish {H1197}, and have not sought {H1875} the LORD {H3068}: therefore they shall not prosper {H7919}, and all their flocks {H4830} shall be scattered {H6327}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The shepherds have become stupid, they have not consulted ADONAI. This is why they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.

Berean Standard Bible

For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

American Standard Version

For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Jehovah: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 10:21 delivers a scathing prophetic indictment against the spiritual and national leaders of Judah, whom the prophet metaphorically describes as "pastors" or shepherds. It condemns their brutish ignorance and deliberate failure to seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance, directly attributing the impending national decline and the scattering of the people ("flocks") to their profound spiritual negligence and unfaithfulness. The verse serves as a stark warning about the devastating consequences of leadership that abandons divine counsel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 10:21 is embedded within a broader prophetic discourse (Jeremiah 10-12) that sharply contrasts the living God of Israel with the lifeless futility of idols. Chapter 10 specifically opens with a powerful polemic against pagan practices and idol worship, emphasizing the incomparable greatness and sovereignty of Yahweh. Following this, the prophet shifts his focus to the internal corruption within Judah, particularly among its leadership. Verse 21 acts as a pivotal transition, applying the principles of divine judgment and the consequences of abandoning God's truth, previously directed at idolaters, directly to those who were supposed to lead God's people. This indictment sets the stage for Jeremiah's lament and further prophecies of judgment against Judah's unfaithful leaders and the nation's impending exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) leading up to the Babylonian exile (605-586 BC). The term "pastors" (Hebrew: *ro'im*) in this context refers not merely to religious clergy but broadly to all those in positions of authority—kings, princes, priests, and prophets—who were responsible for guiding the nation according to God's covenant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the metaphor of a shepherd leading and protecting his flock was commonly applied to rulers. Judah, at this time, was riddled with idolatry, social injustice, and political corruption. The leaders had failed to uphold the Mosaic covenant, leading the people astray and ignoring Jeremiah's warnings. Their "brutish" behavior reflects a profound lack of spiritual discernment and a deliberate turning away from the Lord's instruction, which ultimately sealed the nation's fate.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Corrupt Leadership** as a primary cause of national decay, demonstrating how the spiritual and moral failures of those in authority directly lead to societal breakdown and divine judgment, a theme echoed in [the prophetic indictment of false shepherds](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - Indictment of False Shepherds"). Secondly, it underscores the critical importance of **Seeking God's Will** as the foundation for true wisdom and prosperity. The leaders' failure to "seek the LORD" is presented as their fundamental flaw, contrasting with the promise that those who diligently seek God will find Him, as articulated in [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking the Lord with All Your Heart"). Finally, the verse vividly illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience and Unfaithfulness**, particularly for those entrusted with guiding God's people. The scattering of the "flocks" (the people of Judah) is a direct result of the shepherds' negligence, foreshadowing the Babylonian exile and the dispersion of Israel, a recurring motif of divine judgment against a rebellious people throughout the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pastors (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** From H7462, a primitive root meaning "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule." By extension, it refers to those who shepherd or govern. In Jeremiah 10:21, it metaphorically designates the kings, priests, and prophets who were meant to guide, protect, and spiritually feed the people of Judah. Their failure to fulfill this pastoral role is the core of the indictment.

* **Brutish (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** From H1197, a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; "to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish." This word implies a lack of reason, understanding, or spiritual discernment, acting like an unthinking animal. It suggests that the leaders were devoid of the wisdom and insight necessary for righteous governance, behaving instead with a dull, unspiritual mind that could not grasp divine truth.

* **Sought (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** From H1875, a primitive root; properly, "to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and diligent inquiry, consultation, or pursuit of the Lord's will, presence, and instruction. The leaders' failure to "seek the LORD" indicates a profound spiritual negligence, a deliberate refusal to consult God's word or His presence for guidance, which is the root cause of their brutishness and subsequent failure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the pastors are become brutish":** This clause identifies the primary fault of Judah's leaders. They are not merely unwise, but have degenerated into a state of spiritual dullness and irrationality, acting without divine wisdom or discernment, akin to unthinking animals. This condition is a result of their own choices and neglect.

* **"and have not sought the LORD":** This explains *why* the pastors became brutish. Their brutishness is not innate but a consequence of their deliberate refusal to diligently seek, consult, or inquire of Yahweh, the God of Israel. They neglected prayer, God's word, and His presence, thus cutting themselves off from the source of true wisdom and guidance.

* **"therefore they shall not prosper":** This introduces the direct, inevitable consequence for the unfaithful leaders. Their lack of divine wisdom and their refusal to seek the Lord will result in their failure in all their endeavors. "Prosper" here implies success, wise action, and effective governance, all of which will be absent from their leadership.

* **"and all their flocks shall be scattered":** This final clause reveals the devastating impact of the leaders' failure on the people they were meant to serve. The "flocks" (the people of Judah) will suffer dispersion, judgment, and destruction, directly owing to the negligence and corruption of their shepherds. This foreshadows the Babylonian exile and the scattering of the nation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 10:21 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the leaders of Judah are consistently referred to as "pastors" or "shepherds," and the people as their "flocks." This ancient Near Eastern imagery highlights the leaders' responsibility to guide, protect, and nourish their people, making their failure all the more egregious. The verse also utilizes clear **Cause and Effect** or **Consequence**, explicitly linking the leaders' brutishness and failure to seek the Lord ("For... and have not sought the LORD") to the dire outcomes of their lack of prosperity and the scattering of their flocks ("therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered"). This establishes a direct moral and theological accountability. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as those who are supposed to be wise and discerning leaders act like unthinking animals, a stark reversal of their expected roles and responsibilities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 10:21 is a profound theological statement on the nature of leadership, divine judgment, and the source of true wisdom. It underscores the biblical principle that authority is a sacred trust, and those who wield it, especially over God's people, are held to a high standard of accountability. The leaders' failure to seek the Lord is not merely a practical misstep but a spiritual rebellion, demonstrating a profound lack of faith and reverence for God's sovereignty. This spiritual negligence inevitably leads to practical incompetence and devastating consequences for the entire community. The scattering of the flock serves as a powerful illustration of God's judgment against both unfaithful leadership and a rebellious people who followed them. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true prosperity, both individual and communal, is inextricably linked to diligent seeking of God and adherence to His revealed will.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.")
* [Isaiah 56:11](/isaiah/56-11 "Isaiah 56:11 - Blind Watchmen, Greedy Dogs")
* [Zechariah 11:17](/zechariah/11-17 "Zechariah 11:17 - Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 10:21 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all who hold positions of influence, whether in the church, government, family, or workplace. It reminds us that leadership without a deep, consistent reliance on God's wisdom is not only ineffective but actively detrimental, leading to chaos and harm for those being led. The "brutishness" described is not merely intellectual deficiency but a spiritual dullness that arises from a deliberate neglect of the divine source of truth and guidance. For believers today, this verse calls for a critical discernment of leadership and a personal commitment to seeking God above all else. It challenges us to reflect on whether our own decisions, especially those impacting others, are rooted in divine counsel or in our own limited understanding and self-interest. True prosperity and stability, both individually and corporately, are found not in human cleverness or strength, but in humble, diligent seeking of the Lord and aligning with His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might leaders today become "brutish" by neglecting to seek the Lord's wisdom?**
* **How can individuals and communities discern whether their leaders are truly seeking God's guidance or relying on their own understanding?**
* **What are the practical consequences, both spiritual and temporal, when leaders fail to seek the Lord in our contemporary society?**
* **How does this verse challenge me personally to prioritize seeking God's wisdom in my own sphere of influence, no matter how small?**

### FAQ
**What does "pastors" mean in Jeremiah 10:21, and who does it refer to?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 10:21, the term "pastors" (Hebrew: *ro'im*) is a metaphorical reference to the leaders of Judah. While today we often associate "pastor" primarily with a religious minister, in the Old Testament context, especially in prophetic literature, it broadly refers to anyone in a position of authority who is responsible for guiding and caring for the "flock" (the people). This includes kings, princes, priests, and prophets. Jeremiah is indicting the entire leadership structure of his day, highlighting their failure to shepherd the nation according to God's will, leading to their spiritual and national decline. This metaphor is common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where rulers were often depicted as shepherds of their people, as seen in passages like [Psalm 78:71-72](/psalm/78-71 "Psalm 78:71-72 - David, the Shepherd of Israel").

**What does it mean for the pastors to "become brutish"?**

Answer: To "become brutish" (Hebrew: *bâʻar*) signifies a state of profound spiritual and intellectual dullness, a lack of reason, understanding, or discernment. It implies that these leaders were acting without divine wisdom, behaving instead like unthinking animals driven by instinct or self-interest, rather than by the Lord's guidance. This condition is directly linked in the verse to their failure to "seek the LORD." It's not merely a lack of intelligence, but a willful ignorance and spiritual insensitivity that prevented them from grasping God's truth and leading His people righteously. This brutishness is contrasted with the wisdom that comes from God, which is the foundation of true leadership, as described in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 10:21, with its indictment of unfaithful shepherds whose negligence leads to the scattering of the flock, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect Shepherd. The Old Testament repeatedly laments the failure of human leaders to genuinely care for God's people, leaving them vulnerable and dispersed, as depicted in [Numbers 27:17](/numbers/27-17 "Numbers 27:17 - A Shepherd for the Congregation") and [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed and Scattered Crowds"). This prophetic lament finds its glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who declares Himself the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"). Unlike the brutish pastors who did not seek the Lord and caused their flocks to scatter, Jesus perfectly embodies divine wisdom and diligently seeks the Father's will, always acting in perfect obedience ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He lays down His life for His sheep, gathering them rather than scattering them ([John 10:15](/john/10-15 "John 10:15 - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He gathers those who were once scattered by sin and false leadership, bringing them into His fold and granting them eternal life ([John 10:27-28](/john/10-27 "John 10:27-28 - Jesus' Sheep Hear His Voice")). Thus, Jeremiah's lament for failed shepherds highlights the profound necessity and unparalleled glory of Christ, the true and faithful Shepherd who perfectly leads, protects, and prospers His flock.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 34:2

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Ezekiel 34:10

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Jeremiah 12:10

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Jeremiah 23:1

¶ Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:2

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.

Ezekiel 22:25

[There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.