Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Israel {H3478} is a scattered {H6340} sheep {H7716}; the lions {H738} have driven him away {H5080}: first {H7223} the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} hath devoured {H398} him; and last {H314} this Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} hath broken his bones {H6105}.
"Isra'el is a stray lamb, driven away by lions. First to devour him was Ashur's king; and the last to break his bones is this N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel."
Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”
Israel is a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away: first, the king of Assyria devoured him; and now at last Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
-
Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. -
2 Kings 18:9
¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. -
2 Kings 18:13
Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. -
Joel 3:2
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and [for] my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. -
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. -
John 10:12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. -
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away [on] the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
Jeremiah 50:17 vividly portrays the plight of Israel through powerful animal metaphors, highlighting the devastating impact of foreign empires on God's chosen people. This verse is part of a larger prophetic discourse against Babylon, yet it pauses to reflect on Israel's past suffering, setting the stage for promises of future restoration.
Context
This verse appears within a significant section of Jeremiah (chapters 50-51) that pronounces judgment against Babylon, the very empire currently holding Judah in exile. By recounting Israel's recent history of oppression, the prophet Jeremiah not only underscores the severity of their punishment for disobedience but also subtly contrasts their broken state with Babylon's impending downfall. The "scattered sheep" imagery speaks to their vulnerability and dispersion, a direct consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness. The historical progression from Assyria to Babylon marks key periods of national catastrophe for both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV's choice of "scattered sheep" captures the Hebrew seh maphuats (שֶׂה מְפֻזָּר), emphasizing a state of disarray and dispersion. The two verbs describing the actions of the "lions" are particularly vivid: Assyria "hath devoured" (Hebrew 'akal, אָכַל), suggesting consumption and total destruction of the nation's identity and land. Babylon, under Nebuchadrezzar, "hath broken his bones" (Hebrew 'atsemetav shabar, עַצְמֹתָיו שָׁבַר), a far more brutal and painful image, implying deep, irreparable damage and loss of strength, symbolizing the complete subjugation and exile of the people. This imagery reinforces the profound suffering endured by God's people.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 50:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of national and individual disobedience to God. When God's people turn away from Him, they become vulnerable to external forces, much like sheep without a shepherd. Yet, even in the midst of severe judgment and apparent desolation, this verse, within the broader context of Jeremiah 50-51, points to God's ultimate sovereignty and His long-term plan for restoration. It underscores that God uses even powerful empires to fulfill His purposes. For believers today, this verse highlights the importance of faithfulness, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the comfort that even when we face hardship, our ultimate Shepherd, the Lord, never truly abandons His flock (Psalm 23:1). It encourages us to find our security and strength not in worldly powers, but in Him alone.