Jeremiah 23:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H1945} be unto the pastors {H7462} that destroy {H6} and scatter {H6327} the sheep {H6629} of my pasture {H4830}! saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Oh no! The shepherds are destroying and scattering the sheep in my pasture!" says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:1 pronounces a severe prophetic judgment against the unfaithful leaders of Judah, metaphorically termed "pastors" or "shepherds," who have neglected, exploited, and ultimately dispersed the people entrusted to their care. This declaration of "woe" underscores God's righteous indignation against those who, instead of nurturing and protecting His flock, have actively contributed to their destruction and scattering, thereby failing in their divine mandate to lead justly and righteously.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23:1 initiates a new section of prophetic condemnation, following directly from chapters 21 and 22, which detail specific judgments against the kings of Judah, particularly Jehoiakim and Coniah (Jehoiachin). Chapter 22, for instance, concludes with a lament over Coniah's exile and the end of the Davidic line through him, setting a somber tone for the subsequent indictment of leadership. This verse, therefore, broadens the scope of judgment from individual kings to the entire class of "pastors" – a term encompassing kings, priests, and false prophets – who collectively failed to uphold their covenant responsibilities. The "woe" declaration here serves as a stark transition, signaling a direct divine confrontation with those responsible for Judah's spiritual and national decay, and it immediately precedes God's promise to raise up a righteous Branch and true shepherds in the future, as seen in [Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Jeremiah's ministry (late 7th to early 6th centuries BC) was marked by profound political instability and spiritual apostasy in Judah. Successive kings often pursued idolatrous practices and oppressive policies, leading the nation away from the covenant with Yahweh. The "pastors" referenced reflect the societal understanding of leaders as shepherds, a common metaphor in the ancient Near East where kings were expected to protect and provide for their people. However, Judah's leaders, including kings like Jehoiakim, were notorious for injustice, bloodshed, and neglecting the poor, as detailed in [Jeremiah 22:13-17](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-17 - Condemnation of Jehoiakim"). Furthermore, false prophets offered deceptive messages of peace, undermining Jeremiah's warnings of impending Babylonian invasion and exile, which ultimately materialized, leading to the scattering of the Jewish people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces the theme of **divine accountability for leadership**, emphasizing that God holds those in authority responsible for their stewardship of His people. It highlights the **condemnation of corrupt leadership**, portraying their actions of "destroying and scattering" as antithetical to God's will for His flock. The phrase "sheep of my pasture" underscores the theme of **God's ownership and intimate care for His people**, establishing the basis for His fierce indignation against those who harm them. This theme is further developed in [Ezekiel 34](/ezekiel/34 "Ezekiel 34 - God's Judgment on Bad Shepherds and Promise of a True Shepherd"), where God promises to replace the negligent shepherds with Himself and ultimately with His servant David. The declaration of "woe" also signifies the **prophetic warning and impending judgment** against those who fail to uphold justice and righteousness, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's prophetic book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** This interjection is a strong exclamation of lament, sorrow, or, more frequently in prophetic literature, a solemn declaration of judgment or a curse. It conveys the LORD's deep displeasure, grief, and impending doom upon the unfaithful leaders, emphasizing the severity of their actions and the consequences that will follow. It's not merely an expression of sadness but a pronouncement of divine condemnation.
* **pastors (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to tend a flock," this term metaphorically refers to leaders, rulers, and those in authority. In this context, it specifically indicts the kings, priests, and prophets of Judah who were meant to "shepherd" God's people. The word highlights their primary responsibility to protect, guide, and nourish the flock, making their failure to do so a profound betrayal of their divinely appointed role.
* **destroy (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** This verb signifies to perish, ruin, or cause to be lost. When applied to the actions of the pastors, it indicates their active role in leading the people astray, causing their spiritual and national ruin, and bringing about their demise through their corrupt practices, idolatry, and injustice. It implies a deliberate and devastating impact on the well-being of the "sheep."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Woe be unto the pastors":** This opening phrase immediately establishes a tone of severe condemnation. "Woe" (hôwy) is a prophetic interjection signaling divine judgment, directed specifically at the "pastors" (râʻâh), who are the spiritual and political leaders of Judah. It sets the stage for the indictment against their leadership.
* **"that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!":** This clause details the specific charges against the pastors. They are accused not merely of neglect, but of actively "destroying" (ʼâbad – causing to perish or be ruined) and "scattering" (pûwts – dispersing or driving away) the people. The phrase "the sheep of my pasture" is crucial, emphasizing God's ownership and intimate relationship with His people, making the leaders' actions a direct offense against Him and His flock.
* **"saith the LORD.":** This concluding phrase authenticates the prophetic message, attributing the declaration directly to Yahweh (Yᵉhôvâh), the self-existent and eternal God of Israel. It underscores the divine authority and certainty of the judgment, leaving no doubt that this is God's own pronouncement against the corrupt leadership.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:1 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the leaders of Judah are depicted as "pastors" or "shepherds," and the people as "sheep." This metaphor is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture and biblical tradition, immediately evoking the responsibilities of care, protection, and guidance that true shepherds provide. The contrasting actions of "destroying and scattering" highlight the leaders' egregious failure to fulfill this role, turning the life-giving metaphor into an image of death and dispersion. The use of "Woe" is an example of a **Prophetic Oracle of Judgment**, a common rhetorical device in prophetic books that signals impending doom and divine condemnation. It functions as a solemn curse, amplifying the severity of God's displeasure. Furthermore, the phrase "sheep of my pasture" employs **Possessive Language** to emphasize God's direct ownership and intimate relationship with His people, intensifying the leaders' offense as an act of harming God's personal property and beloved flock.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:1 serves as a foundational text for understanding God's perspective on leadership and His unwavering commitment to His people. It establishes a theological precedent for divine accountability, asserting that those entrusted with authority over God's flock are subject to His righteous judgment if they abuse their power or neglect their duties. This verse highlights the profound contrast between the destructive actions of unfaithful human leaders and God's own character as the ultimate, faithful Shepherd. It sets the stage for the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the role of the Good Shepherd, in stark opposition to the "hirelings" who abandon or scatter the sheep. This theme of God's concern for His scattered people and His promise to gather them under a righteous shepherd echoes throughout Scripture.

* [Ezekiel 34:2-10](/ezekiel/34-2 "Ezekiel 34:2-10 - God's Indictment of False Shepherds") - A parallel and expanded indictment against the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves but not the flock.
* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed and Helpless") - Jesus' compassion for the crowds, seeing them as "sheep without a shepherd," directly reflecting the consequences of failed leadership.
* [John 10:11-13](/john/10-11 "John 10:11-13 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") - Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, in contrast to the hireling who flees when danger comes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:1 stands as a timeless and potent warning for all who hold positions of leadership, whether in the church, government, community, or family. It compels leaders to seriously consider their divine accountability, reminding them that their primary responsibility is to protect, nourish, and guide those under their care, not to exploit, mislead, or scatter them for personal gain. True leadership, as modeled by God Himself, is characterized by selfless service, integrity, and a deep commitment to the well-being of the flock. For those who are "the sheep," this verse encourages discernment, urging believers to prayerfully evaluate their leaders and to hold them to biblical standards of righteousness and care. It also serves as a comfort, reminding us that even when human leaders fail, God remains the ultimate Shepherd of His people, capable of gathering and restoring His scattered flock.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might leaders today, both secular and spiritual, unintentionally or intentionally "destroy and scatter" those under their care?**
* **How can individuals who are "the sheep" actively pray for and support their leaders, while also discerning when leadership falls short of biblical standards?**
* **What personal responsibilities do we have to protect and nurture those God has placed in our sphere of influence, even if we don't hold formal leadership titles?**

### FAQ
**What does "pastors" mean in this context, and why are they being condemned?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 23:1, "pastors" (Hebrew: *râʻâh*) refers metaphorically to the leaders of Judah, including kings, priests, and false prophets. They are being condemned because they have failed in their divinely appointed role to care for God's people, who are likened to "sheep." Instead of protecting, guiding, and nourishing the flock, these leaders have exploited, misled, and oppressed them, leading to their spiritual and national ruin, and ultimately causing them to be "destroyed and scattered." This is a direct indictment of their corruption, injustice, and failure to uphold God's covenant. The book of Jeremiah is replete with examples of such failures, particularly the kings who led the nation into idolatry and oppression, as seen in [Jeremiah 22](/jeremiah/22 "Jeremiah 22 - Prophecies Against Judah's Kings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:1, with its stark condemnation of unfaithful shepherds, powerfully sets the stage for the coming of the True Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The "woe" pronounced upon those who destroy and scatter God's sheep finds its ultimate resolution in the promised "Righteous Branch" whom God will raise up (as prophesied in [Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch")). This prophecy is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus, who identifies Himself not as a hireling who flees, but as the [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"). Unlike the corrupt leaders who scattered the flock, Jesus actively gathers them, bringing together those who were lost and dispersed, as seen in His compassion for the crowds who were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Harassed and Helpless")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus not only protects His sheep from destruction but also unites them into one flock under His loving care, fulfilling the ancient promise of a shepherd who would truly feed and lead God's people in righteousness and justice ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")).

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

Jeremiah 10:21

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

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.

Zechariah 11:15

¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

Zechariah 11:17

Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Ezekiel 13:3

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.