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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 10:21 For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/10-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/24_Jer_10_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 10:21 - The Coming Destruction" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. 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They no longer seek wisdom from the LORD. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they shall not prosper, And all their flocks shall be scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the shepherds have become senseless And have not sought Yahweh; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds [of the people] have become [like brutes,] irrational <i>and</i> stupid, And have not searched for the LORD <i>or</i> asked about Him <i>or</i> realized their need for Him; Therefore they have not been wise <i>and</i> have not prospered, And all their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds are stupid: They don’t seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and their whole flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds are stupid: they don&#8217t seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and their whole flock is scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Jehovah: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But I told them, "Our leaders were stupid failures, because they refused to listen to the LORD. And so we've been scattered like sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of the LORD: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The shepherds are foolish. They don't look to the LORD for help. That is why they won't succeed, and all their flocks will be scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I answered, "Our leaders are stupid; they do not ask the LORD for guidance. This is why they have failed, and our people have been scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because the shepherds are stupid and don't seek the LORD, therefore, they don't prosper, and their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become senseless; they do not seek the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For our leaders are stupid. They have not sought the LORD's advice. So they do not act wisely, and the people they are responsible for have all been scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of the LORD: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the pastors have become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become brutish, "" And they have not sought YHWH, "" Therefore they have not acted wisely, "" And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For the shepherds have become brutish, And Jehovah they have not sought, Therefore they have not acted wisely, And all their flock is scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the shepherds were brutish, and they sought not Jehovah: for this they considered not, and all their flock was scattered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Because the pastors have done foolishly, and have not sought the Lord: therefore have they not understood, and all their flock is scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For the pastors have acted foolishly, and they have not sought the Lord. Because of this, they have not understood, and all their flock has been dispersed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How stupid are the shepherds! The LORD they have not sought; For this reason they have failed, and all their flocks scattered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For the shepherds are stupid, and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the shepherds have misbehaved, and have not sought the LORD; and because they did not prosper, all of their flocks have been scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because they are insane Shepherds, and they have not desired LORD JEHOVAH, and because they did not prosper, all their flocks were scattered<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the shepherds are become brutish, And have not inquired of the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flocks are scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the shepherds have become foolish, and have not sought the Lord; therefore the whole pasture has failed, and <i>the sheep</i> have been scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=3288" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/10.htm">The Coming Destruction</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My sons have departed from me and are no more. I have no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/7462.htm" title="7462: hā·rō·‘îm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. Pasture it; intransitively, to graze; generally to rule; by extension, to associate with.">the shepherds</a> <a href="/hebrew/1197.htm" title="1197: niḇ·‘ă·rū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To kindle, consume, to be, brutish. A primitive root; to kindle, i.e. Consume; also to be(-come) brutish.">have become senseless;</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: ḏā·rā·šū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">Therefore</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7919.htm" title="7919: hiś·kî·lū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- To be, circumspect, intelligent. A primitive root; to be circumspect and hence, intelligent.">prospered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all their</a> <a href="/hebrew/4830.htm" title="4830: mar·‘î·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A pasturing, shepherding, pasturage. From ra'ah in the sense of feeding; pasturage; concretely, a flock.">flock</a> <a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: nā·p̄ō·w·ṣāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">is scattered.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Listen! The sound of a report is coming—a great commotion from the land to the north. The cities of Judah will be made a desolation, a haunt for jackals.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-10</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Zechariah 11:15-17</a></span><br />And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. / For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-12</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-4</a></span><br />“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. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a></span><br />When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-13</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a></span><br />Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25-28</a></span><br />The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a></span><br />Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-16.htm">Isaiah 9:16</a></span><br />For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-39.htm">Luke 6:39</a></span><br />Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28-30</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.</p><p class="hdg">the pastors.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8,14</a></b></br> But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock <i>is</i> a doctrine of vanities… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm">Jeremiah 2:8</a></b></br> The priests said not, Where <i>is</i> the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after <i>things that</i> do not profit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a></b></br> The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love <i>to have it</i> so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?</p><p class="hdg">their.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1</a></b></br> Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/49-32.htm">Jeremiah 49:32</a></b></br> And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them <i>that are</i> in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-17.htm">Jeremiah 50:17</a></b></br> Israel <i>is</i> a scattered sheep; the lions have driven <i>him</i> away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/48-3.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-16.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-18.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-24.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-12.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-1.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-15.htm">Pastors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/job/9-4.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-16.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-2.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-13.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-24.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-17.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-24.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-13.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-3.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Keepers</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Pastors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-3.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-10.htm">Shepherds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/26-21.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-11.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-1.htm">The unequal comparison of God and idols.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-17.htm">The prophet exhorts to flee from the calamity to come.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-19.htm">He laments the spoil of the tabernacle by foolish pastors.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">He makes an humble supplication.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For the shepherds have become senseless;</b><br>The term "shepherds" in this context refers to the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding the people spiritually and morally. The word "senseless" indicates a lack of wisdom and understanding, which is a serious indictment given their role. In biblical times, shepherds were expected to be vigilant and protective, ensuring the safety and well-being of their flock. This failure is reminiscent of <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34</a>, where God condemns the shepherds of Israel for neglecting their duties. The senselessness of the leaders is a result of their departure from God's wisdom, which is the foundation of true understanding (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>).<p><b>they do not seek the LORD.</b><br>This phrase highlights the root cause of the leaders' senselessness: their failure to seek God. Seeking the LORD involves prayer, obedience, and a desire to align with His will. In the historical context of Jeremiah, the leaders often turned to idolatry and alliances with foreign nations instead of relying on God. This neglect of seeking God is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where Israel's prosperity is directly linked to their faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 28). The failure to seek the LORD leads to spiritual blindness and poor decision-making, as seen in the reigns of many kings of Judah and Israel.<p><b>Therefore they have not prospered,</b><br>The lack of prosperity is a direct consequence of the leaders' failure to seek God. In the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, prosperity was promised as a reward for obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-14</a>). The Hebrew concept of prosperity encompasses not just material wealth but also peace, security, and spiritual well-being. The leaders' senselessness and neglect of God result in the opposite: turmoil, defeat, and spiritual decay. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that seeking God's kingdom first leads to all other needs being met (<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>).<p><b>and all their flock is scattered.</b><br>The scattering of the flock symbolizes the dispersion and disunity of the people of Israel. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a scattered flock was vulnerable to predators and lacked the protection and guidance of a shepherd. This imagery is used throughout the Bible to describe the consequences of poor leadership and disobedience to God (<a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a>). The scattering also foreshadows the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were taken captive and dispersed. In a prophetic sense, this scattering points to the need for a true shepherd, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who declares Himself the Good Shepherd who gathers and protects His sheep (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shepherds.htm">Shepherds</a></b><br>In this context, the term "shepherds" refers to the leaders of Israel, including kings, priests, and prophets, who were responsible for guiding the people spiritually and morally.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_flock.htm">The Flock</a></b><br>Symbolically represents the people of Israel, who are under the care and guidance of their leaders.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/scattering_of_the_flock.htm">Scattering of the Flock</a></b><br>This event symbolizes the dispersion and disarray of the people due to the failure of their leaders to seek and follow God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god.htm">The Importance of Seeking God</a></b><br>Leaders must prioritize seeking the LORD to guide their decisions and actions. Without divine guidance, leadership becomes ineffective and harmful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_neglect.htm">Consequences of Neglect</a></b><br>When leaders fail to seek God, it leads to the scattering and harm of those they are meant to protect and guide.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership.htm">Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>True spiritual leadership involves a deep relationship with God and a commitment to His ways, ensuring the well-being of those under one's care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>While leaders have a significant role, individuals are also responsible for their relationship with God and should seek Him personally.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_through_christ.htm">Restoration through Christ</a></b><br>Jesus, the Good Shepherd, offers restoration and guidance to those who have been scattered and lost due to poor leadership.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'feed_my_sheep'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Feed My Sheep'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_heavy_shepherding.htm">What is heavy shepherding?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jeremiah_21_2_contradict_divine_protection.htm">How can Jeremiah 21:2 claim the Lord would not rescue Jerusalem when other passages promise divine protection for the city?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_ask_peter_3_times.htm">John 21:15-17 - Why does Jesus repeat his question to Peter three times, and does this contradict or overlap inconsistently with Peter's declarations in earlier chapters?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">The pastors.</span>--The "shepherds," used, as in <a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm" title="The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.">Jeremiah 2:8</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/3-15.htm" title="And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.">Jeremiah 3:15</a>, and elsewhere, of rulers generally, rather than of priests as such.<p><span class= "bld">Therefore they shall not prosper.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">therefore they have not done wisely. </span>This is the primary meaning of the word (that of prosperity, as the result of prudence, the secondary), and is adopted by the LXX., Vulg., and most other versions.<p><span class= "bld">All their flocks.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">all their pasture, </span>the place, or the act, of pasturing, taken practically for the sheep that fed on it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The pastors</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. the civil authorities (see on Jeremiah 2:8). <span class="cmt_word">They shall not prosper</span>; rather, <span class="accented">they have not prospered</span>; or, better still, <span class="accented">they have not acted wisely</span>, the notion of prospering being rather suggested than expressed (the same word is used in Isaiah lit. 13). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the shepherds</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽרֹעִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7462.htm">Strong's 7462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have become senseless</span><br /><span class="heb">נִבְעֲרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(niḇ·‘ă·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1197.htm">Strong's 1197: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kindle, consume, to be, brutish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seek</span><br /><span class="heb">דָרָ֑שׁוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·rā·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Therefore</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prospered,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִשְׂכִּ֔ילוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiś·kî·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7919.htm">Strong's 7919: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, circumspect, intelligent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all their</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flock</span><br /><span class="heb">מַרְעִיתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(mar·‘î·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4830.htm">Strong's 4830: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasturing, shepherding, pasturage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is scattered.</span><br /><span class="heb">נָפֽוֹצָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄ō·w·ṣāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/10-21.htm">Jeremiah 10:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/10-21.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 10:21 For the shepherds are become brutish (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/10-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 10:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 10:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/10-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 10:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 10:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>