Jeremiah 10:21

The Coming Captivity of Judah · Jeremiah 10:17–25
Read Jeremiah 10

Translations

Modern
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
Traditional
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Literal
For the shepherds have become stupid, and they have not sought YHWH! Upon thus they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
Latin
Quia stulte egerunt pastores, et Dominum non quæsierunt: propterea non intellexerunt, et omnis grex eorum dispersus est.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.

Notes

The shepherds, meaning the priests and prophets (see Jeremiah 5:29–31), ignored the wisdom from the Lord. This wisdom was kept in priestly memory and prophetic messages, both spoken and written. The divine decree foretold these leaders' complete failure and the scattering of the people as a result.

A judgment announcement (Jeremiah 10:17–18) is followed by a lament about its impact (10:19–22).

This poetic passage has three parts:

  1. A contrast between the Lord and pagan idols (Jeremiah 10:1–16)

  2. A reflection on the destruction awaiting idol worshipers (Jeremiah 10:17–18, 19–22)

  3. A prayer asking God to act with restraint in the coming judgment and to ensure the pagan nations do not go unpunished (Jeremiah 10:23–25).

Theme notes and profiles

The Shepherd

Events

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person) Shepherd

Topics

Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Church: Backslidden Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over Jerusalem Prayerlessness: General Scriptures Concerning Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments