King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:35 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:35 in the King James Version says “And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. the shepherds: Heb. flight shall ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. the shepherds: Heb. flight shall perish from the shepherds, and escaping from, etc”

Jeremiah 25:35 · KJV

Salvation

Context

33

And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. the days: Heb. your days for slaughter a pleasant: Heb. a vessel of desire

35

And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. the shepherds: Heb. flight shall perish from the shepherds, and escaping from, etc

36

A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.

37

And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. The emphatic statement wĕʾāḇaḏ mānôs min-hārōʿîm ûp̄ālêṭâ mēʾabbîrê haṣṣōʾn (וְאָבַד מָנוֹס מִן־הָרֹעִים וּפָלֵיטָה מֵאַבִּירֵי הַצֹּאן, the shepherds shall have no way to flee, and no escape for the principal of the flock) emphasizes the inescapability of judgment. Leaders might assume their wealth, connections, or power would enable escape when judgment came, but God declares all such hopes vain. No refuge exists from divine judgment.

This principle appears throughout Scripture. Amos declared to Israel's elite: 'Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down' (Amos 9:2). Hebrews warns that 'it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God' (Hebrews 10:31) and asks, 'how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?' (Hebrews 2:3). The psalmist acknowledged, 'Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?' (Psalm 139:7). For the unrepentant, there is no escape; for the repentant, no need to escape because Christ bore the judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

History confirmed this prophecy. When Jerusalem fell, King Zedekiah attempted to flee by night (2 Kings 25:4-5) but was captured near Jericho. His nobles who fled with him were captured and executed. Wealth couldn't buy escape—the rich suffered alongside the poor. Political connections were worthless—Egyptian alliances provided no refuge. The powerful discovered that all human resources fail when divine judgment arrives. Only submission to God's will (as Jeremiah counseled) provided any security, and even that meant exile rather than comfortable preservation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What refuges or escape plans do people today trust in to avoid accountability before God, and why are all such hopes ultimately futile?
  2. How does the inescapability of judgment for the powerful and wealthy challenge our culture's faith in money, status, and connections?
  3. What is the only true 'escape' from divine judgment, and how does the gospel provide what human efforts cannot?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וְאָבַ֥ד1 of 7

“to flee”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מָנ֖וֹס2 of 7

“shall have no way”

H4498

a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing

מִן3 of 7
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽרֹעִ֑ים4 of 7

“And the shepherds”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

וּפְלֵיטָ֖ה5 of 7

“to escape”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

מֵאַדִּירֵ֥י6 of 7

“nor the principal”

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

הַצֹּֽאן׃7 of 7

“of the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 25:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 25:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 11:20Amos 2:14Ezekiel 17:18Jeremiah 48:44Daniel 5:30Jeremiah 52:8-11

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