Jeremiah 23:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
the remnant
H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
the remnant
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
4 of 17
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
צֹאנִ֔י
of my flock
H6629
צֹאנִ֔י
of my flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
5 of 17
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת
out of all countries
H776
הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת
out of all countries
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
7 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִדַּ֥חְתִּי
whither I have driven
H5080
הִדַּ֥חְתִּי
whither I have driven
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
9 of 17
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י
them and will bring them again
H7725
וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י
them and will bring them again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
12 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶתְהֶ֛ן
H853
אֶתְהֶ֛ן
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נְוֵהֶ֖ן
to their folds
H5116
נְוֵהֶ֖ן
to their folds
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
15 of 17
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:37Behold, 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:Jeremiah 29:14And 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 30:3For, 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.Ezekiel 11:17Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.Jeremiah 31:8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.Psalms 106:47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.Ezekiel 36:24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.Ezekiel 36:37Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.Micah 7:12In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
Historical Context
Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus allowed Jews to return to Judah (538 BC) and rebuild the temple. Yet only a remnant returned—most Jews remained scattered throughout the Persian Empire and later the Roman world. Jesus began gathering the true remnant of Israel, and after Pentecost the gospel spread to Gentiles, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Galatians 3:8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the remnant theology comfort believers when the visible church appears weak or compromised?
- What does it mean that God both judges His people and preserves a remnant for Himself?
- In what ways does the gathering of the remnant from all countries point forward to the church as a multi-ethnic people of God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After pronouncing judgment on the false shepherds, God declares He Himself will shepherd His people. The emphatic 'I will gather' contrasts with the shepherds who scattered. This introduces the remnant theology so crucial to biblical eschatology—though judgment decimates the nation, God preserves a remnant through whom He fulfills His covenant promises. This remnant will be gathered 'out of all countries whither I have driven them.'
Note the theology here: God takes responsibility for the exile ('whither I have driven them'), yet He used the unfaithful shepherds and Babylon as His instruments. This demonstrates divine sovereignty—God accomplishes His purposes even through secondary causes. He did not approve of the shepherds' sin, yet He incorporated their rebellion into His redemptive plan. The exile was simultaneously God's judgment and the unfaithful shepherds' sin.
The promise that the remnant will 'be fruitful and increase' echoes God's creation blessing (Genesis 1:28) and covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:6). Despite apparent destruction, God's redemptive purposes continue. This remnant theology finds fulfillment in multiple ways: the return from Babylonian exile, the preservation of a Jewish remnant through whom Messiah came (Romans 9:27), and ultimately the church as the people of God gathered from every nation (Romans 11:5).