Jeremiah 23:1Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh.
The setting
Jerusalem, 605-586 BC. Jeremiah condemns the kings and leaders who led Judah into exile through corruption and idolatry. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: weeping prophet declaring God's protective anger
The original word
ro'im (רֹעִים) — shepherds, used for kings and leaders responsible for people's welfare
Why it matters
The last four kings of Judah all ignored Jeremiah's warnings and led the nation to destruction
Read with care
What most readers miss in Jeremiah 23:1
God uses 'MY pasture' - He claims personal ownership of the people these leaders destroyed
Common misconceptionPeople think this only applies to pastors, but 'shepherds' meant any leader - kings, judges, military commanders - anyone responsible for others' wellbeing.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Jeremiah 23:1
Bible Genome reading
Jeremiah 23:1 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Jeremiah 23:1 comes from the book of Jeremiah, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include judgment, leadership, accountability. Notable phrases: woe to the shepherds; destroy and scatter. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Jeremiah 23:1 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "angry"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.