Jeremiah 23:3

KJV

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will gather {H6908} the remnant {H7611} of my flock {H6629} out of all countries {H776} whither I have driven {H5080} them, and will bring them again {H7725} to their folds {H5116}; and they shall be fruitful {H6509} and increase {H7235}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply.

American Standard Version

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:3 delivers a profound promise of divine restoration and renewal, directly from God to His scattered people. Following a severe indictment of the unfaithful leaders who have dispersed the flock of Israel, this verse pivots to declare God's personal intervention to gather the surviving remnant from every land to which they were driven. It assures their return to security and flourishing, culminating in a future marked by abundant fruitfulness and increase, underscoring God's unwavering covenant faithfulness despite human failure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23:3 is situated within a significant prophetic discourse (Jeremiah 23:1-8) concerning the "shepherds" of Israel. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 23:1-2) pronounce a severe "woe" upon the corrupt and negligent leaders—kings, priests, and prophets—who have failed to care for God's "flock," instead scattering and destroying them. This condemnation sets the stage for God's dramatic declaration in verse 3, where He asserts His own intention to act as the true Shepherd. The immediate verses following (Jeremiah 23:4-8) elaborate on this promise of restoration, introducing the concept of "good shepherds" after God's own heart and culminating in the prophecy of the "Righteous Branch," a messianic figure who will rule justly and bring salvation. Thus, verse 3 serves as a pivotal transition from judgment to hope, establishing the foundation for the coming messianic age.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Jeremiah 23 were delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th or early 6th century BCE, leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. The "scattering" of the flock directly refers to the series of deportations of the Jewish people by the Babylonian Empire, particularly in 597 BCE and 586 BCE, which saw many exiled to various "countries" (Babylon, Egypt, etc.). Culturally, the metaphor of a "shepherd" for a king or leader was ubiquitous in the ancient Near East, symbolizing protection, provision, and guidance. Conversely, a scattered flock signified chaos, vulnerability, and divine judgment. Jeremiah's message directly challenges the prevailing political and religious leadership, portraying them as failed shepherds, while simultaneously offering a radical hope that Yahweh Himself would rectify their failures, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over both judgment and restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes central to Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is **Divine Restoration**, emphasizing God's active and sovereign role in reversing the consequences of sin and judgment. The scattering of Israel was a direct result of their disobedience and the failure of their leaders, yet God promises to "gather" them, not merely allowing a return but actively orchestrating it. This highlights God's **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that His promises to Abraham and David endure even when His people are unfaithful (cf. [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Promises of Restoration")). The concept of the **Remnant** is also crucial; though many were lost or dispersed, God preserves a faithful core through whom His redemptive purposes will continue. Finally, the promise of being "fruitful and increase" echoes the original creation mandate in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate") and the covenant blessings of prosperity and multiplication, signifying a return to a state of **Blessing and Flourishing** under God's direct care, reversing the desolation brought by judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gather (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** H6908. This primitive root signifies a deliberate and comprehensive act of collecting or assembling. In this context, it emphasizes God's intentional and powerful initiative to bring together His scattered people, implying a reversal of their dispersion and a sovereign act of re-unification. It is not a passive re-gathering but an active, divine intervention.
* **Remnant (Hebrew, _shᵉʼêrîyth'_):** H7611. This term refers to a surviving portion, a residue that has escaped or been left behind. In prophetic literature, the "remnant" is often the faithful core preserved by God through periods of judgment, through whom His covenant promises and future plans will be realized. It signifies both preservation amidst destruction and the continuation of a lineage or people for divine purposes.
* **Folds (Hebrew, _nâveh'_):** H5116. While literally referring to a pasture or sheepcote, this word carries broader connotations of a dwelling place, a home, or a secure habitation. It implies a return to a place of safety, rest, and nourishment, symbolizing not only a physical return to the land of Israel but also a spiritual restoration to a right relationship with God, where His people are secure under His protective care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will gather the remnant of my flock":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the active agent ("I will gather") and identifies the beneficiaries as "the remnant of my flock." The "flock" metaphorically represents the people of Israel, while "remnant" highlights that not all will return, but a preserved portion will be the focus of God's redemptive work. This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in their restoration.
* **"out of all countries whither I have driven them":** This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty even in the scattering. The dispersion was not merely a historical accident but a divinely permitted or even orchestrated consequence of their sin. The promise extends to "all countries," indicating a comprehensive re-gathering from every place of exile, demonstrating the vast reach of God's redemptive power.
* **"and will bring them again to their folds":** This signifies a return to a place of security, belonging, and provision. "Folds" evokes the imagery of a shepherd leading his sheep back to a safe and nourishing environment. It implies both a physical return to the land of Israel and a spiritual restoration to a secure relationship with God, reversing the desolation and vulnerability of exile.
* **"and they shall be fruitful and increase":** This concluding promise echoes the original blessings of creation and covenant. "Fruitful and increase" points to numerical growth, prosperity, and overall flourishing. It signifies a reversal of the diminishment and suffering experienced in exile, promising a future of divine blessing, vitality, and abundance under God's renewed favor.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:3 is rich with **Metaphor**, primarily the extended metaphor of God as the **Shepherd** and Israel as His **flock**. This imagery is deeply resonant in ancient Near Eastern culture, where kings were often depicted as shepherds, but here, God asserts Himself as the ultimate, faithful Shepherd in contrast to the failed human leaders. The "folds" serve as a metaphorical representation of a secure, prosperous homeland and a restored relationship with God. The verse also employs **Contrast**, setting God's active "gathering" against the previous "scattering" by unfaithful shepherds and the "driving" by God Himself as judgment. This highlights the dramatic reversal of fortune and the redemptive power of God. Furthermore, the promise of "fruitful and increase" is an example of **Hyperbole** and **Blessing Language**, signifying not just literal multiplication but an overflowing abundance and prosperity that reverses the barrenness of exile, drawing on ancient covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:3 stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His redemptive plan for His people, even in the face of their profound unfaithfulness and the severe consequences of judgment. It underscores the theological truth that God's covenant promises are ultimately unconditional in their fulfillment, even if their immediate experience of blessing is contingent on obedience. The verse reveals God's character as a compassionate and sovereign Shepherd who actively intervenes to restore, not merely to judge. This divine initiative of gathering and blessing a remnant foreshadows the broader work of salvation history, pointing to a future where God's people will dwell securely and multiply under His direct care, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the New Covenant.

* [Ezekiel 34:11-16](/ezekiel/34-11 "Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God as the True Shepherd")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - Gathering from the Ends of the Earth")
* [Jeremiah 31:10-12](/jeremiah/31-10 "The Lord Will Gather His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:3 offers profound comfort and enduring hope for believers today. It reminds us that even when we experience periods of spiritual wandering, feel scattered by life's trials, or witness the failures of human leadership, God remains the faithful, active Shepherd who seeks to gather His own. This verse assures us that our ultimate security and flourishing are found not in our own strength or perfect circumstances, but in God's sovereign commitment to restore and bless. It calls us to trust in His promise of renewal, even when circumstances seem bleak, and to recognize that His plan is always one of life, growth, and abundance for those who are truly His. We are invited to rest in the assurance that God will bring us back to "our folds"—places of spiritual safety and nourishment—and enable us to be fruitful in His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "scattered" or in need of God's gathering hand?**
* **How does the promise of God actively "bringing you again to your folds" offer you comfort and security today?**
* **What does "fruitful and increase" mean for your spiritual life and service within God's kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Does this promise of gathering and restoration apply only to ancient Israel, or does it have relevance for believers today?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 23:3 was initially a specific promise to the exiled remnant of Israel, its theological principles extend far beyond that historical context. The promise reveals God's unchanging character as a faithful Shepherd who gathers His people. For believers today, it speaks to spiritual restoration from wandering, the gathering of the church from all nations, and the ultimate eschatological hope of God's people dwelling securely with Him. Just as God physically gathered Israel, He spiritually gathers believers into the "one flock" of Christ, promising spiritual fruitfulness and increase in their lives and in the growth of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. While the immediate prophecy concerned the physical return of Israel, it foreshadowed a greater spiritual gathering. Jesus Himself declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). He is the one who gathers His "flock"—all who believe in Him—not merely from geographical dispersion but from the spiritual exile of sin and death. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus brings His people into a new "fold," the church, where they find true security and belonging, no longer scattered but united under His headship ([Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Peace Through Christ")). The promise that "they shall be fruitful and increase" is realized in the spiritual fruitfulness of believers through the Holy Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and the numerical growth of the church as the gospel spreads throughout the world ([Acts 2:47](/acts/2-47 "Acts 2:47 - The Lord Added to Their Number")). Thus, Jeremiah's prophecy points forward to the messianic era, where Christ, the Righteous Branch mentioned just a few verses later ([Jeremiah 23:5](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - The Righteous Branch")), perfectly fulfills God's promise to gather, restore, and cause His people to flourish eternally.

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 32:37

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

Amos 9:14

And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

Amos 9:15

And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

Isaiah 43:5

Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isaiah 43:6

I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Jeremiah 29:14

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 30:3

For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.