Meaning of "Woe" in Jeremiah 23:1
Jeremiah 23:1 opens with a declaration of "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh" (Jeremiah 23:1, ESV). This verse introduces a prophetic denunciation against the leaders of Israel, whom God identifies as "shepherds" responsible for His "flock" [1, 4].
The term "woe" (Hebrew: hôy) often functions as an exclamation of lament or a pronouncement of judgment [8]. In biblical prophecy, "woe" frequently signals impending disaster or divine condemnation, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah, where it can introduce a "burden" or a pronouncement of vengeance [2, 6]. Rashi, a prominent medieval Jewish commentator, interprets "Woe to the shepherds" in Jeremiah 23:1 as specifically referring to the kings of Judah [5]. This aligns with the broader context of Jeremiah 23, which addresses the failures of Israel's governors, priests, and prophets [7].
The "shepherds" are accused of destroying and scattering God's sheep, which are explicitly called "the sheep of my pasture" [1]. This indicates that the leaders were entrusted with God's people but failed in their duty to lead, feed, and protect them [4]. Instead, they caused harm and dispersion. The subsequent verses in Jeremiah 23 elaborate on this charge, stating, "You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, says Yahweh" [3]. This highlights God's direct accountability for those who misuse their authority over His people.
The passage contrasts the destructive actions of these unfaithful shepherds with God's promise to gather the remnant of His flock and raise up new, righteous shepherds [3]. This promise culminates in the famous prophecy of the Messiah, referred to as a "righteous branch from the stock of David," who will execute justice and righteousness on earth [3, 6]. Thus, the "woe" pronounced in Jeremiah 23:1 not only condemns the corrupt leadership but also sets the stage for a future hope centered on divine intervention and a righteous ruler [6].
Sources
- Jeremiah “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says Yahweh. -- Jeremiah 23:1”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 23:1 (DRC) — The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of the sea, for the house is destroyed, from whence they were wont to come: from the land of Cethim it is revealed to them.”
- Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 23:1: The gathering again of the flock, scattered by the evil shepherds, by meant of the righteous branch from the stock of David. - Jer 23:1. "Woe to shepherds that destroy and scatter the flock of my pasturing! saith Jahveh. Jer 23:2. Therefore thus saith Jahveh, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings, saith Jahveh. Jer 23:3. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all lands whither I have driven them, and ”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 23:1: I. Here is a word of terror to the negligent shepherds. The day is at hand when God will reckon with them concerning the trust and charge committed to them: Woe be to the pastors (to the rulers, both in church and state) who should be to those they are set over as pastors to lead them, feed them, protect them, and take care of them. They are not owners of the sheep. God here calls them the sheep of my pasture, whom I am interested in, and have provided good pasture for. Woe be to those therefore who are commanded to feed God's people, and pretend to do it, but w”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Jeremiah 23:1: Woe to the shepherds The kings of Judah.”
- Isaiah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Isaiah 23 (introduction): Sequel of the discourse which commenced in the preceding chapter. The prophet denounces vengeance against the pastors of Israel who have scattered and destroyed the flock of the Lord, Jer 23:1, Jer 23:2. He concludes with gracious promises of deliverance from the Babylonish captivity, and of better times under the Messiah, when the converts to Christianity, who are the true Israel of God, shadowed forth by the old dispensation, shall be delivered, by the glorious light of the Gospel, from worse than Chaldean bondage, from the captivity of sin and death.”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 23 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 23 This chapter contains threatenings to the Jewish governors, and to their priests and prophets, on account of their manifold sins; intermixed with gracious promises to the Lord's people, and particularly with a famous promise of the Messiah. The pastors or governors of Israel are charged with scattering and driving away the Lord's flock, for which they are threatened, Jer 23:1; and a promise is made of the gathering of the remnant of them, and of setting up other shepherds over them, under whom they should increase, and be c”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XV.--SERMON ON THE MOUNT CONTINUED. ITS WOES IN STRICT AGREEMENT WITH THE CREATOR'S DISPOSITION. MANY QUOTATIONS OUT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT IN PROOF OF THIS. (part 3): the Creator's equal,(17) both good and judicial; nor will there be left any room for that distinction whereby two gods are made; and when this distinction is removed, there will remain the verity which pronounces the Creator to be the one only God. Since, therefore, "woe" is a word indicative of malediction, or of some unusually austere(18) exclamation; and since it is by Christ uttered against the ri”