Jeremiah 10:21
Jeremiah 10:21 in Multiple Translations
For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Jehovah: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.
For the keepers of the sheep have become like beasts, not looking to the Lord for directions: so they have not done wisely and all their flocks have been put to flight.
The “shepherds” have become stupid—they don't ask the Lord for advice. That's why they have failed, and all their flock has been scattered.
For the Pastours are become beasts, and haue not sought the Lord: therefore haue they none vnderstanding: and all the flockes of their pastures are scattered.
For the shepherds have become brutish, And Jehovah they have not sought, Therefore they have not acted wisely, And all their flock is scattered.
For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not inquired of the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered.
For the pastors have become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Because the pastors have done foolishly, and have not sought the Lord: therefore have they not understood, and all their flock is scattered.
Our leaders [MET] no longer have any sense; they no longer ask Yahweh to ◄guide them/tell them what to do►, so they will no longer prosper, and all those over whom they rule [MET] will be scattered.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 10:21
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Jeremiah 10:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 10:21
Study Notes — Jeremiah 10:21
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 10:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 10:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 10:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 10:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
- Sermons on Jeremiah 10:21
Context — The Coming Captivity of Judah
21For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
22Listen! The sound of a report is coming— a great commotion from the land to the north. It will make the cities of Judah a desolation, a haunt for jackals. 23I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 34:2–10 | “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts. My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’ Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because My flock lacks a shepherd and has become prey and food for every wild beast, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but fed themselves instead, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!’ This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand from them My flock and remove them from tending the flock, so that they can no longer feed themselves. For I will deliver My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.’ |
| 2 | Jeremiah 12:10 | Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 23:1–2 | “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 2:8 | The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 34:12 | As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 8:9 | The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? |
| 7 | Isaiah 56:10–12 | Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!” |
| 8 | Zechariah 13:7 | Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 10:8 | But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! |
| 10 | John 10:12–13 | The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. |
Jeremiah 10:21 Summary
[This verse is saying that the leaders of God's people have stopped listening to God and seeking His guidance, which is why they are not successful, as seen in Jeremiah 10:21. This is similar to what happened in Isaiah 30:1 where the people of Judah sought guidance from Egypt instead of God. When we stop seeking God's guidance, we can expect to face difficulties and hardships, as warned in Jeremiah 10:21 and Deuteronomy 28:1-2. On the other hand, when we seek God's guidance, we can expect to prosper and have success, as seen in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 37:3-7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the shepherds have become senseless?
This means that the spiritual leaders of God's people have lost their spiritual discernment and are no longer seeking God's guidance, as seen in Jeremiah 10:21, and this is also warned against in Ezekiel 34:1-10 where God condemns the false shepherds of Israel.
Why did the shepherds not prosper?
The shepherds did not prosper because they did not seek the LORD, as stated in Jeremiah 10:21, and this is in line with the principle that those who seek the LORD will prosper, as seen in 2 Chronicles 26:5 and Psalm 1:3.
What is the result of the shepherds' senselessness?
The result is that all their flock is scattered, as stated in Jeremiah 10:21, which is a picture of the spiritual devastation that occurs when leaders fail to seek God's guidance, similar to what is described in Matthew 9:36 where Jesus sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd.
How does this verse apply to us today?
This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking God's guidance in our lives, whether we are leaders or not, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, and warns us of the consequences of neglecting to do so, as stated in Jeremiah 10:21 and Hosea 4:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like the shepherds in Jeremiah 10:21, may be neglecting to seek God's guidance in my life?
- How can I ensure that I am seeking the LORD and following His guidance, as encouraged in Psalm 119:10-11 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What are the potential consequences for me and those around me if I fail to seek God's guidance, as warned in Jeremiah 10:21 and Isaiah 30:1?
- In what ways can I be a faithful 'shepherd' to those around me, whether in my family, church, or community, as described in 1 Peter 5:1-4 and John 21:15-17?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 10:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 10:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 10:21
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 10:21
Sermons on Jeremiah 10:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Feasts of Jehovah 06 of Trumpets by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the preacher begins by referencing various verses from the Bible, including Ezekiel 37:1-4. He talks about how God can awaken souls that have been away from Him for |
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Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage by Don Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their ac |
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Mid South Conference 1981-12 Ezekiel 34: by Lew Clarkson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of giving while still alive. He shares a personal story of a trip to Las Vegas and witnessing |
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Emmanuel by Thaddeus Barnum | In this sermon, the speaker encourages listeners to focus their attention on Jesus, the shepherd, rather than being consumed by fear and negativity. The speaker emphasizes the impo |
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The Heavy Responsibility of Sheep-Feeding by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the heavy responsibility of preaching, highlighting that true shepherds must address the specific needs of their congregation rather than delivering generic m |
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Hell's Greatest Enrichers! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of false teachers, who, like emissaries of Satan, lead people astray with deceptive doctrines that promise peace but ultimately lead to dest |
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Shouldn't Shepherds Feed Their Sheep? by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks addresses the critical role of shepherds in the church, emphasizing that true ministers should prioritize the spiritual nourishment of their congregations over person |





