Jeremiah 23:2Therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed my people: You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, says Yahweh.
The setting
Jerusalem, 605-586 BC. God through Jeremiah promises accountability for leaders who scattered His people through negligence and corruption. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: righteous anger mixed with protective love for the scattered
The original word
paqadti (פָּקַדְתִּי) — to visit with consequences, divine inspection that brings justice
Why it matters
Within 20 years of this prophecy, every corrupt leader Jeremiah condemned was dead or in exile
Read with care
What most readers miss in Jeremiah 23:2
The word 'visit' appears twice - they didn't visit (care for) the people, so God will visit (judge) them
Common misconceptionPeople think God's judgment is harsh, but notice He's angry because leaders SCATTERED His flock - His anger comes from love for the victims, not hatred for the perpetrators.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Jeremiah 23:2
Bible Genome reading
Jeremiah 23:2 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Jeremiah 23:2 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, accountability, pastoral failure. Notable phrases: thus says Yahweh; scattered my flock. This verse contains a command. 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 23:2 mean to you, today?
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