Jeremiah 33:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
H5892
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
1 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הָהָ֜ר
of the mountains
H2022
הָהָ֜ר
of the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 20
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
H5892
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַשְּׁפֵלָה֙
of the vale
H8219
הַשְּׁפֵלָה֙
of the vale
Strong's:
H8219
Word #:
4 of 20
lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
H5892
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
5 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
of the south
H5045
הַנֶּ֔גֶב
of the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
6 of 20
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וּבְאֶ֧רֶץ
and in the land
H776
וּבְאֶ֧רֶץ
and in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
7 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בִּנְיָמִ֛ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֛ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
8 of 20
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּבִסְבִיבֵ֥י
and in the places about
H5439
וּבִסְבִיבֵ֥י
and in the places about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
9 of 20
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
10 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
H5892
וּבְעָרֵ֣י
In the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
11 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
עֹ֣ד
H5750
עֹ֣ד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
תַּעֲבֹ֧רְנָה
pass again
H5674
תַּעֲבֹ֧רְנָה
pass again
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
14 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
הַצֹּ֛אן
shall the flocks
H6629
הַצֹּ֛אן
shall the flocks
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
15 of 20
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְדֵ֥י
under the hands
H3027
יְדֵ֥י
under the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מוֹנֶ֖ה
of him that telleth
H4487
מוֹנֶ֖ה
of him that telleth
Strong's:
H4487
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
Cross References
Leviticus 27:32And 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 17:26And 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 15:4What 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?
Historical Context
The geographic specificity—mountains, valleys, south, Benjamin, Jerusalem—demonstrates that God's promises aren't abstract spiritualizing but concern real places. The mention of 'him that telleth them' (the counting shepherd) echoes ancient Near Eastern practice of census-taking for taxation and sacrifice. Here it represents restored order, security, and divine care over every individual in the covenant community.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the comprehensive geographic scope (mountains, valleys, south) of restoration promise assure you that no area of your life is beyond God's redemptive reach?
- What does it mean that the Good Shepherd counts His flock—how does numbered, individual care contrast with being lost in the crowd?
- In what ways does the image of flocks passing under the shepherd's hand for counting anticipate the Book of Life and final judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south—This comprehensive geography covers all Judah's regions: har (hill country), shephelah (lowland/foothills), and negev (south/dry land). God's restoration is total, not partial—no region excluded. In the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem—Benjamin's territory, including Jerusalem, receives special mention as the political-religious center.
Shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them (תַּעֲבֹרְנָה הַצֹּאן עַל־יְדֵי מוֹנֶה, ta'avornah hatzon al-yedei moneh)—The shepherd counting sheep depicts careful oversight and covenant care. God knows His flock by number (cf. John 10:3, 'calls his own sheep by name'). This intimate knowledge reverses exile's scattering, where the flock was 'without shepherd' (Ezekiel 34:5).