King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 25:36 Mean?
“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.”
Jeremiah 25:36 · KJV
Context
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.
38
He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger. desolate: Heb. a desolation
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryA 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. The phrase qôl ṣaʿăqaṯ hārōʿîm wîlĕlaṯ ʾabbîrê haṣṣōʾn (קוֹל צַעֲקַת הָרֹעִים וִילֲלַת אַבִּירֵי הַצֹּאן, voice of the cry of the shepherds and howling of the principal of the flock) depicts the leaders' anguish when judgment arrives. Their confident arrogance turns to desperate wailing. The reason: kî šōḏēḏ YHWH ʾeṯ-marʿîṯām (כִּי שֹׁדֵד יְהוָה אֶת־מַרְעִיתָם, for the LORD has destroyed their pasture).
The pasture imagery continues the shepherd metaphor—leaders lose the land and people they governed. The verb šāḏaḏ (שָׁדַד, destroy/devastate) appears frequently in Jeremiah to describe Babylon's destruction. The leaders' grief comes not from repentance but from loss—they mourn their destroyed power and wealth, not their sin. This demonstrates false grief versus godly sorrow. Paul distinguished these: 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation...but the sorrow of the world worketh death' (2 Corinthians 7:10). The leaders' howling was worldly sorrow—grief over consequences without repentance toward God.
The pasture imagery continues the shepherd metaphor—leaders lose the land and people they governed. The verb šāḏaḏ (שָׁדַד, destroy/devastate) appears frequently in Jeremiah to describe Babylon's destruction. The leaders' grief comes not from repentance but from loss—they mourn their destroyed power and wealth, not their sin. This demonstrates false grief versus godly sorrow. Paul distinguished these: 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation...but the sorrow of the world worketh death' (2 Corinthians 7:10). The leaders' howling was worldly sorrow—grief over consequences without repentance toward God.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
When Jerusalem fell and Judah's elite were executed or exiled, survivors reported hearing the cries and lamentations of the once-powerful. The book of Lamentations records this grief: 'How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!' (Lamentations 1:1). But this grief focused on lost glory rather than forsaken covenant, proving the leaders had learned nothing even from judgment.
Reflection Questions
- How can we distinguish between worldly sorrow (grief over consequences) and godly sorrow (grief over sin leading to repentance)?
- What does the leaders' howling when 'their pasture is destroyed' teach about the difference between loving God versus loving what God provides?
- In what ways might we grieve loss of comfort, status, or security while remaining impenitent toward actual sin?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 11 wordsהָֽרֹעִ֔ים3 of 11
“of the shepherds”
H7462to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
הַצֹּ֑אן6 of 11
“of the flock”
H6629a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
כִּֽי7 of 11
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁדֵ֥ד8 of 11
“hath spoiled”
H7703properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
יְהוָ֖ה9 of 11
“shall be heard for the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת10 of 11
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
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 25:36 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 25:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge