In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth [them], saith the LORD.
In the cities {H5892} of the mountains {H2022}, in the cities {H5892} of the vale {H8219}, and in the cities {H5892} of the south {H5045}, and in the land {H776} of Benjamin {H1144}, and in the places about {H5439} Jerusalem {H3389}, and in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, shall the flocks {H6629} pass again {H5674} under the hands {H3027} of him that telleth {H4487} them, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.
In the cities of the hill-country, in the cities of the Sh'felah, in the cities of the Negev, in the territory of Binyamin, in the areas around Yerushalayim and in the cities of Y'hudah flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them," says ADONAI.
In the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev, in the land of Benjamin and the cities surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the LORD.
In the cities of the hill-country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks again pass under the hands of him that numbereth them, saith Jehovah.
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Leviticus 27:32
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. -
Jeremiah 17:26
And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD. -
Luke 15:4
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? -
John 10:3
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. -
John 10:4
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Jeremiah 33:13 is a powerful prophecy of restoration, offering a stark contrast to the desolation and despair that surrounded Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. It paints a vivid picture of renewed life and prosperity throughout the land of Judah, assuring the exiled people of God's enduring faithfulness.
Context
This verse is part of Jeremiah Chapter 33, often referred to as the "Book of Consolation" within the broader prophetic work of Jeremiah. At the time of this prophecy, Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians, and Jeremiah himself was imprisoned (Jeremiah 32:2). Despite the immediate prospect of destruction and exile, God delivers a series of profound promises concerning the future restoration of Judah and Israel. These promises highlight God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they have been unfaithful. The surrounding verses in Jeremiah 33 speak of healing, abundant peace, and the establishment of a righteous Branch, a clear messianic prophecy.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The phrase "him that telleth [them]" uses an archaic form of the verb "to tell," which in this context means "to count" or "to number." It implies an orderly, methodical counting of livestock by a shepherd or owner, signifying possession, thriving herds, and a return to normal, prosperous life after a period of chaos and loss. This detail emphasizes the tangible and practical nature of the promised restoration.
Significance and Application
For the ancient Israelites, this verse offered immense comfort and a tangible reason for hope amidst their suffering and impending exile. It assured them that their desolation was not God's final word, but that a future of hope and prosperity awaited them, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
For believers today, Jeremiah 33:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's character:
Ultimately, this prophecy points to God's overarching plan of redemption and restoration, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.