King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:23 in the King James Version says “I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.”

Jeremiah 51:23 · KJV

Context

21

And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;

22

With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

23

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

24

And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

25

Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers—The relentless repetition of naphats continues, now targeting occupational and social structures. The shepherd/flock pairing represents pastoral economy; husbandman (ikkar, farmer) and oxen represent agriculture; captains (pachah, governors) and rulers (sagan, prefects) represent civil authority.

This comprehensive list demonstrates that judgment penetrates every sphere of society—economic, agricultural, political. The "yoke of oxen" detail is particularly vivid; even the fundamental tools of civilization are shattered. The progression from demographic categories (v. 22) to vocational and political structures (v. 23) shows how divine judgment dismantles both the people and the systems sustaining civilization.

The term "shepherd" carries special irony. Ancient Near Eastern kings were called shepherds of their people; Nebuchadnezzar styled himself as Babylon's shepherd. Yet Babylon, which broke other shepherds, will itself be broken. This connects to Jeremiah 23:1-4, where God condemns Israel's failed shepherds and promises to raise up the ultimate Shepherd (fulfilled in Christ, John 10:11). Earthly shepherds fail and face judgment; only the Good Shepherd endures.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's agricultural and economic systems were among the ancient world's most sophisticated. The Babylonian heartland's irrigation network, managed by state-appointed officials, sustained large populations and military campaigns. The administrative structure included governors (pachah) over provinces and prefects (sagan) managing cities—the very offices named in this verse.

When Babylon fell to Persia (539 BCE), this entire administrative structure was dismantled. The Cyrus Cylinder records the Persian king's reorganization of Babylonian territories under new governors. Archaeological evidence shows agricultural disruption as Persian priorities shifted. Babylon never regained its role as an imperial center—its shepherds, farmers, and rulers were indeed broken, though the city itself survived under foreign rule. The prophecy's precision validates its divine origin.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God's judgment target not just people but also the systems and structures of civilization?
  2. How does the 'shepherd' imagery connect to God's condemnation of failed leadership throughout Scripture?
  3. What parallels exist between ancient Babylon's comprehensive collapse and potential judgments on modern nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י1 of 12

“I will also break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֙2 of 12
H0
רֹעֶ֣ה3 of 12

“with thee the shepherd”

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

וְעֶדְר֔וֹ4 of 12

“and his flock”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י5 of 12

“I will also break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֖6 of 12
H0
אִכָּ֣ר7 of 12

“the husbandman”

H406

a farmer

וְצִמְדּ֑וֹ8 of 12

“and his yoke of oxen”

H6776

a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)

וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י9 of 12

“I will also break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֔10 of 12
H0
פַּח֖וֹת11 of 12

“captains”

H6346

a prefect (of a city or small district)

וּסְגָנִֽים׃12 of 12

“and rulers”

H5461

a prfect of a province

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 51:23 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 51:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:57

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