Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 25:34
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.
34. wallow yourselves in ashes] rather, sprinkle yourselves. See on Jer 6:26. The words “in ashes” are added in E.VV. only because they occur in the Hebrew of the other passage.
principal of the flock ] not equivalent to “shepherds,” but rather, chief among the sheep, i.e. wealthy ones of the people, whose rank and riches avail nothing now.
and I will break you in pieces ] mg. (less well) and I will disperse you. Aq. Symm. Theod. Vulg. read, and your dispersions. The Hebrew is difficult in point of grammar.
like a pleasant vessel ] By altering one Hebrew consonant, we can render with LXX like choice rams. But the reading “rams” might easily arise through the influence of “principal of the flock” just before, and to this we may add that the figure of a vessel in such a connexion has been already used by Jeremiah (Jer 22:28). Cp. also 2Ch 32:27 ; 2Ch 36:10; Hos 13:15; Nah 2:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Principal of the flock – i. e., noble ones.
Wallow yourselves in the ashes – Rather, roll yourselves on the ground.
For … – Read; for your days for being slaughtered are accomplished, and I will scatter you (or, (dash you in pieces).
Fall like a pleasant vessel – The comparison suggests the idea of change from a thing of value into worthless fragments.
Jer 25:36
Hath spoiled – Or, spoileth.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. Howl, ye shepherds] Ye kings and chiefs of the people.
Ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.] As a fall will break and utterly ruin a precious vessel of crystal, agate, &c., so your overthrow will be to you irreparable ruin.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Shepherds, and the
principal of the flock, are in this place of the same significancy, by both he means the civil rulers; so the word is used Jer 22:22; 23:1. These he calls aforehand to bewail their fate; for the days were now come when they should be slain and scattered. And he tells them their fall should be like the fall of a crystal glass, or some delicate tender vessel, which when it falleth breaketh in pieces, and cannot again be set together.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34. shepherdsprinces (Jer22:22). Here he returns to the Jews and their rulers,using the same image as in Jer25:30, “pasture” (see on Jer25:30).
wallow yourselvesCoveryourselves as thickly with ashes, in token of sorrow, as one whorolls in them (Jer 6:26; Eze 27:30)[MAURER].
principalleaders. TheSeptuagint translates “rams,” carrying out the image(compare Isa 14:9, Margin;Zec 10:3).
days of your slaughter . . .of . . . dispersionsrather, “your days forslaughter (that is, the time of your being slain), and yourdispersions (not ‘of your dispersions’), are accomplished (arecome).”
pleasant vesselYe wereonce a precious vessel, but ye shall fall, and so be abroken vessel (see on Jer22:28). “Your past excellency shall not render you safe now.I will turn to your ignominy whatever glory I conferred on you”[CALVIN].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry,…. The Targum is,
“howl, ye kings, and cry;”
and the rulers and governors of the nations before threatened with destruction are meant; who are here called upon to lamentation and mourning for the ruin and loss of their kingdoms; though Calvin thinks that this is an apostrophe to the Jewish nation, and the rulers of it. It is no uncommon thing in Scripture to call kings and civil magistrates shepherds; see Jer 23:1;
and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock; or “roll yourselves [in dust]”, as a token of mourning; as being in the utmost distress, and incapable of helping themselves, and redressing the grievances of their people; and therefore lie down and tumble about as in the greatest anxiety and trouble, the Targum is,
“cover your heads with ashes, ye mighty of the people;”
meaning those who were in the highest posts of honour and profit; the chief as to authority and power, riches and wealth;
for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; the time is come when they who were the fat of the flock, and were nourished up for slaughter, should be slain. The allusion to shepherds and sheep is still kept up; and such who should escape that, should be scattered up and down the world, as a flock of sheep is by the wolf, or any other beast of prey, when some are seized and devoured, and others dispersed; and this was not the case of the Jews only, but of other nations in their turn;
and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel; a vessel of worth and value, and so desirable; as vessels of glass, of gems, or of earth, as of Venice glass, of alabaster, of China; which when they fall and are broken, become useless, and are irreparable; signifying hereby, that their desirableness and excellency would not secure them from destruction, and that their ruin would be irretrievable.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
I doubt not but that the Prophet now turns his discourse especially to his own nation, which interpreters have not observed, and hence have not understood the meaning of the Prophet. He prophesied of God’s judgments, that the Jews might know that they in vain looked for impunity, as the Lord would not pardon the ignorant and destitute of all true knowledge, who might have pretended their ignorance as an excuse; and also that this comfort might support the minds of the godly, that the heathens, involved in the same guilt, would be subjected to the same judgment; and lastly, that knowing the difference between them and other nations, they might flee to God’s mercy and be encouraged to repent by entertaining a hope of pardon. After having then treated this general subject, he now returns to the people over whom he was appointed a teacher. He might indeed have declared from an eminence what was to take place through the whole earth; for so extensive was the office of a herald which God had conferred on him. He might then by the virtue of his office have denounced ruin on all nations; but he ought not to neglect his special care for the chosen people. And so I explain this passage; for he now again directs his discourse to the Jews.
Hence he says, Howl, ye pastors, and cry, etc. By pastors he means the king and his counsellors, the priests and other rulers; and by the choice of the flock he seems to understand the rich, whose condition was better than that of the common people. Some in a more refined manner consider the choice of the flock to have been those void of knowledge, unlike the scribes and priests and the king’s counsellors; but this view seems not to be well-founded. I therefore adopt what is more probable, — that the choice of the flock were those who were rich and high in public esteem, and yet held no office of authority in the commonwealth or in the Church. However this may be, the Prophet shews, that as soon as God began to put forth his hand to punish the Jews, there would be no ranks of men exempt from lamentation, for he would begin with the pastors and the choice of the flock.
He adds that their days were fulfilled Here he indirectly condemns that wicked security which had for a long time hardened them, so that they despised all threatenings; for God had now for many years called on them, and had sent his Prophets one after another; when they saw the execution of judgment suspended over them, they considered it only as a bugbear, “Well, let the prophets continue to pronounce their terrors, if they will do so, but nothing will come of them.” Thus the ungodly turned God’s forbearance into an occasion for their obstinacy. As then this evil was common among the Jews, the Prophet now says, by way of anticipation, that their days were fulfilled For there is to be understood this contrast, that God had spared them, not that he had his eyes closed, or that he had not observed their wicked deeds, but that he wished to give them time to repent; but when he saw that their wickedness was unhealable, he now says that their days were completed. And he adds, to be killed or slain. I wonder that learned interpreters render this, “that they may slay one another.” There is no need of adding anything, for the Prophet meant to express no such sentiment, nor to restrict what he denounces here on the Jews, to intestine or domestic wars; on the contrary, we know that they were slain by aliens, even by the Chaldeans. This sense then is forced, and is also inconsistent with history. It is added, and your dispersions (153) also are fulfilled, or your breakings. The verb פוף, puts, means to scatter or to dissipate, and also to afflict, to tear; and the sense of tearing or breaking is what I prefer here. And he adds, And ye shall fall as a precious vessel This simile appears not to be very appropriate, for why should he not rather compare them to an earthen vessel, which is of no value and easily broken? But his object was to point out the difference in their two conditions, that though God had honored them with singular privileges, yet all their excellency would not keep them safe; for it often happens that a vessel, however precious, is broken. And he speaks not of gold or silver vessels, but of fragile vessels, once in great esteem. That he might then more grievously wound them, he says that they had been hitherto precious vessels, or a precious vessel; for he speaks of them all in the singular number, and that they were to be broken; and thus he confirms what I said on the last verse, that hypocrites in vain trusted in their present fortune, or in the superior blessings of God, for he could turn to shame whatever glory he had conferred on them. It follows, —
(153) This word is omitted by the Sept., and Calvin’s rendering is that of the Vulg., and it is a verb like the former in the Syr. and the Targ. On the contrary, the two words are nouns, and ought to be so rendered, —
34. Howl, ye pastors, and cry, And roll yourselves in the dust, ye illustrious of the flock, Because fulfilled are your days For the slaughter and for your dispersions; And ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
The word באפר, “in the dust,” is connected with the verb here used in Jer 6:26, and in Eze 27:30, and it is supplied here by the Vulg. and the Targ. The line is rendered by the Sept., —
And mourn, ye rams of the flock.
But the verb has no other sense but that of rolling, though the other word may be rendered “rams,” as it is in the masculine gender.
Venema gives the following version, —
Howl, ye pastors, and cry aloud, And sprinkle yourselves with dust, ye illustrious of the flock; For fulfilled are your days to be sacrificed; And there shall be your breakings, And ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
He considers the first and the fourth line as connected, and the second and the third; the pastors were to be broken, and the illustrious of the flock to be slain in sacrifice. There is certainly a congruity in the parts thus viewed. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(34) Howl, ye shepherds.The idea of the flock suggested in the habitation or pasture of Jer. 25:30 is here expanded. The shepherds are, as usual, the rulers of the people (Jer. 10:21; Jer. 22:22, et al.).
Wallow yourselves in the ashes.The words in italics have probably been added to bring the passage into conformity with Jer. 6:26, but they are not needed, and the interpretation is unauthorised. Better, therefore, roll on the ground. By some interpreters the word is rendered sprinkle yourselves. The principal of the flock are the strong ones, i.e., the best and fattest of the rams, denoting figuratively the princes and captains of the people.
And of your dispersions.The Hebrew text seems faulty, and a slight alteration, now generally accepted, gives, and I will scatter you.
Like a pleasant vessel.The sudden change of metaphor is somewhat startling, as judged by our rules of rhetoric; but the poets and prophets of Israel wrote without the fear of criticism, and used each image that presented itself, if it was fit for its immediate purpose, without caring much for continuity. The thought of the scattered flock suggested the idea of a dispersion or breaking-up of another kind, even that of the pleasant vessel (literally, the vessel of desire, i.e., a vase made as for kingly and honourable uses), falling with a crash and shivered into fragments, which Jeremiah had presented to the people in his acted parable and spoken words in Jer. 19:10-11, and in Jer. 22:28. The LXX. translators give like the chosen rams, as if anxious to avoid the mixed metaphor, and venturing on a conjectural emendation of the text.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. Howl, ye shepherds Thrown into consternation by both the lion and the storm.
Wallow yourselves Roll yourselves.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 25:34. Howl, ye shepherds See Jer 25:30. By shepherds, as before, are meant the princes and chief men; and, pursuing the same metaphor, the principal of the flock, signify the great and wealthy men of this nation, against whom these judgments are denounced. By a pleasant or precious vessel, is meant a crystal glass, or any other brittle vessel, which is easily broken by falling. Houbigant renders the latter clause, For the days of your slaughter are fulfilled, and ye shall be broken in falling as a precious vessel.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 25:34 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.
Ver. 34. Howl, ye shepherds. ] Ululate, volulate. Shriek and roll. This is spoken to the governors and grandees; for in public calamities such usually suffer more than meaner men. The corks swim, saith one, when the plummets sink. If a tree have thick and large boughs, it lieth more open to lopping.
And ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
shepherds = rulers (of all kinds). Compare Jer 2:8; Jer 6:3. All three had miserable ends: Jehoiakim (Jer 22:18; Jer 36:30); Jehoiachin, taken to Babylon; and Zedekiah, after his eyes were put out.
principals = strong ones.
of your dispersions: or, when ye are dispersed. So in the Mugah Codex (quoted in the Massorah), with three early printed editions.
pleasant = precious (i.e. fair, but fragile).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Howl: Jer 25:23, Jer 25:36, Jer 4:8, Jer 4:9, Eze 34:16, Jam 5:1, Jam 5:2
ye shepherds: Ye kings and chiefs of the people
wallow: Jer 6:26, Jer 48:26, Eze 27:30, Eze 27:31
ye principal: Eze 34:17, Eze 34:20
the days of your: Heb. your days for, Jer 25:12, Jer 27:7, Jer 51:20-26, Isa 10:12, Isa 33:1, Lam 4:21
ye shall: Jer 19:10-12, Jer 22:28, Psa 2:9, Isa 30:14
pleasant vessel: Heb. vessel of desire, Jer 3:19, 2Ch 36:10, Isa 2:16, Dan 11:8, Amo 5:11, *marg.
Reciprocal: 1Sa 5:12 – the cry 2Sa 9:7 – eat bread 1Ki 20:6 – pleasant Isa 13:6 – Howl ye Jer 18:22 – a cry Jer 23:1 – pastors Jer 48:12 – empty Jer 48:38 – broken Eze 21:12 – howl Eze 26:12 – thy pleasant houses Nah 2:9 – pleasant furniture Zep 1:11 – Howl Zec 11:3 – a voice
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 25:34. The shepherds were the priests and prophets who were supposed to feed the (lock of God with spiritual food. (See Lev 10:11; Deu 17:9 and Mal 2:7.) But these shepherds had fed themselves instead of the flock. Days of your slaughter refers to the time when they were doomed to be cut off in their iniquity. Your dispersions are accomplished is a prediction that the unfaithful are soon to he captured and taken into exile in a foreign land.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 25:34-35. Howl, ye shepherds, and cry The imperative is here also put for the future: see Jer 25:27. Shepherds are here the same with kings, princes, or generals. In pursuance of the same metaphor, by the principal of the flock are meant the great and rich men of each nation. Though such are wont to be the most courageous and secure, yet of these it is foretold, that their hearts should so fail them that they should howl, and cry, and wallow in ashes. Seeing themselves utterly unable to make head against the enemy, and seeing their country, which they had the charge of, and for the protection and prosperity of which they were concerned, inevitably ruined, they should abandon themselves to despair, sorrow, and lamentation. For the days of your slaughter, &c., are accomplished The time fixed in the divine counsel for the slaughter of some, and the dispersion of the rest, is fully come. And ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel Ye shall be utterly destroyed, as a crystal glass when it is dashed against the ground. The shepherds shall have no way to flee, &c. The enemy will be so numerous, so furious, so sedulous, and the extent of their army so vast, that it will be impossible to avoid falling into their hands.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
25:34 Howl, {z} ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye chief of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a {a} pleasant vessel.
(z) You that are chief rulers, and governors.
(a) Which are most easily broken.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Leaders of peoples will then mourn and weep, because the day of their destruction and the dispersion of their nations had come. In this judgment, the shepherds (leaders) would die along with the sheep (followers). Like a choice piece of pottery, these nations would fall and break apart.