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.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֠כֵן
H3651
לָ֠כֵן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָרֹעִ֣ים
against the pastors
H7462
הָרֹעִ֣ים
against the pastors
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
8 of 27
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
הָרֹעִ֣ים
against the pastors
H7462
הָרֹעִ֣ים
against the pastors
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
9 of 27
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּי֒
my people
H5971
עַמִּי֒
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הֲפִצֹתֶ֤ם
Ye have scattered
H6327
הֲפִצֹתֶ֤ם
Ye have scattered
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
13 of 27
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צֹאנִי֙
my flock
H6629
צֹאנִי֙
my flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
15 of 27
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וַתַּדִּח֔וּם
and driven them away
H5080
וַתַּדִּח֔וּם
and driven them away
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
16 of 27
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פֹקֵ֧ד
and have not visited
H6485
פֹקֵ֧ד
and have not visited
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
18 of 27
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֹתָ֑ם
H853
אֹתָ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פֹקֵ֧ד
and have not visited
H6485
פֹקֵ֧ד
and have not visited
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
21 of 27
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֹ֥עַ
upon you the evil
H7455
רֹ֥עַ
upon you the evil
Strong's:
H7455
Word #:
24 of 27
badness (as marring), physically or morally
Cross References
Jeremiah 21:12O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Exodus 32:34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.Micah 7:4The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.Jeremiah 23:34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.
Historical Context
The historical fulfillment of this judgment came swiftly. King Zedekiah was captured fleeing Jerusalem, forced to watch his sons executed, then blinded and taken to Babylon where he died in prison (39:4-7; 52:9-11). Many of the political and religious leaders who opposed Jeremiah died during Jerusalem's siege or were executed afterward. Those who survived were exiled to Babylon, experiencing the very scattering they had inflicted on God's flock through their oppression and false guidance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to judge unfaithful shepherds comfort those who have suffered under corrupt leadership?
- What specific responsibilities do spiritual leaders bear for those entrusted to their care?
- In what ways might we be guilty of sins of omission—failing to care for those God has placed in our sphere of influence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God directly addresses the shepherds, contrasting their actions with His own. 'Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them'—three accusations emphasizing their negligence and destructive leadership. The phrase 'my flock' asserts divine ownership; these leaders were stewards, not owners. Their failure to 'visit' (care for) the flock contrasts sharply with God's promise: 'behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings.'
This verse establishes the principle of divine retribution—leaders will experience judgment proportionate to their unfaithfulness. The same word translated 'visit' appears twice but with opposite meanings: they did not visit (attend to) the flock, so God will visit (judge) them. This wordplay in Hebrew emphasizes the precise justice of God's response. Those who scattered will themselves be scattered; those who drove away will be driven away.
The theological foundation here is that God holds leaders accountable not merely for what they do but for what they fail to do. Sins of omission are as serious as sins of commission. James 3:1 warns, 'My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.' Church history confirms this principle—corrupt shepherds face God's severe judgment while faithful shepherds receive a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:2-4).