Jeremiah 31:10
Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֤וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דְבַר
the word
H1697
דְבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גּוֹיִ֔ם
O ye nations
H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם
O ye nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְהַגִּ֥ידוּ
and declare
H5046
וְהַגִּ֥ידוּ
and declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
בָאִיִּ֖ים
it in the isles
H339
בָאִיִּ֖ים
it in the isles
Strong's:
H339
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
מִמֶּרְחָ֑ק
afar off
H4801
מִמֶּרְחָ֑ק
afar off
Strong's:
H4801
Word #:
7 of 14
remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar
מְזָרֵ֤ה
He that scattered
H2219
מְזָרֵ֤ה
He that scattered
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
9 of 14
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּשְׁמָר֖וֹ
him and keep
H8104
וּשְׁמָר֖וֹ
him and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.Ezekiel 34:12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.Isaiah 66:19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.Deuteronomy 30:4If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:John 11:52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:Zephaniah 3:19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
Historical Context
When exiles returned and rebuilt Jerusalem, it testified to surrounding nations of God's power and faithfulness. When Jesus came as Israel's Messiah and the gospel spread to Gentiles, the nations began declaring God's faithfulness in gathering His scattered people. The church's international, multi-ethnic composition continues to declare this message—God keeps His promises and gathers a people for Himself from every tribe and tongue.
Questions for Reflection
- Why must the nations hear and declare God's work of gathering Israel—what does this teach them about God's character?
- How does God's role as the true Shepherd of His people contrast with false shepherds (political and religious leaders) who scatter the flock?
- In what ways does Israel's restoration point forward to and prepare for the gospel's proclamation to all nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands the nations to hear and declare His word—specifically, that 'He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.' This is a missionary charge: the nations must proclaim what God is doing for Israel. The 'isles afar off' represent the remote regions of the earth, showing that God's restoration of Israel has universal significance. The nations must witness and testify to God's covenant faithfulness.
The promise itself is covenantal: God who scattered will gather; God who judged will restore. The shepherd imagery recalls Psalm 23 and anticipates Jesus' self-identification as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Unlike the bad shepherds condemned in 23:1-2, God is the true Shepherd who protects, provides, and preserves His flock. The phrase 'keep him' (shamar, שָׁמַר) means guard, watch over, protect—conveying security and tender care.
The theological significance is that God's dealings with Israel demonstrate His character to all nations. Israel's restoration proves God's faithfulness, justice, and mercy. This prepares the way for the gospel's universal proclamation—if God keeps covenant with Israel despite their unfaithfulness, He will certainly keep covenant with all who trust in Christ. The nations must 'hear' and 'declare' this good news, anticipating the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).