Introduction to Jeremiah 23:1: Prophetic Indictment Against False Shepherds
Jeremiah 23:1 opens a powerful oracle of woe against the leaders of Yisra’el, metaphorically called “shepherds” who have failed in their responsibility to care for the flock of YHWH. The use of participles—מְאַבְּדִים (“destroying”) and מְפִצִים (“scattering”)—not only describes their actions but also conveys an ongoing and habitual pattern of corruption. This article explores the grammatical form, function, and theological force of these participles within the verse.
הֹ֣וי רֹעִ֗ים מְאַבְּדִ֧ים וּמְפִצִ֛ים אֶת־צֹ֥אן מַרְעִיתִ֖י נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃
Grammatical Analysis of the Participles
1. מְאַבְּדִים – “destroying”
- Form: Masculine plural active participle, stem: Piel
- Root: אָבַד – “to perish,” Piel: “to destroy, to cause to perish”
The participle מְאַבְּדִים is in the Piel stem, which expresses intensive or causative action. Thus, it does not merely imply passive neglect but deliberate or active ruination of YHWH’s flock.
2. מְפִצִים – “scattering”
- Form: Masculine plural active participle, stem: Hifil
- Root: פּוּץ – “to scatter”
The participle מְפִצִים is in the Hifil stem, indicating causative action—they are the ones causing the flock to be scattered. This portrays the leaders not merely as incompetent but as actively responsible for dispersing the people.
3. Syntax of the Participle Chain
The two participles are coordinated by the conjunction וְ and follow directly after the vocative רֹעִים (“shepherds”). This syntactic construction highlights a dual indictment: the leaders are both destroyers and scatterers, reinforcing their failure from multiple angles.
Phrase-by-Phrase Commentary
הֹ֣וי רֹעִ֗ים
- הֹוי – Interjection used to pronounce woe or lament; often introduces judgment oracles
- רֹעִים – “shepherds,” masculine plural participle/noun from רָעָה (“to shepherd”); refers metaphorically to kings, priests, or leaders
This opening functions as a prophetic rebuke. The tone is both judicial and lamentational—evoking divine grief and condemnation.
מְאַבְּדִים וּמְפִצִים
The participles describe the continuous actions of the leaders: destroying and scattering. The use of two verbs emphasizes the breadth of their failure—they are guilty of both spiritual corruption (destroying) and social breakdown (scattering).
אֶת־צֹאן מַרְעִיתִי
- אֶת – Direct object marker
- צֹאן – “flock” – common metaphor for the people of Yisra’el
- מַרְעִיתִי – Construct form of מַרְעִית (“pasture”) + 1cs suffix: “my pasture” or “my flock”
This phrase expresses YHWH’s personal claim over the people. They are not the leaders’ property but belong to YHWH, which makes the leaders’ abuse even more egregious.
נְאֻם־יְהוָה
This prophetic formula (“utterance of YHWH”) authenticates the message as a divine pronouncement, emphasizing that these accusations come from the covenant Lord Himself.
Theological and Literary Significance
1. Participles as Ongoing Judgment
By using participles, the text portrays the actions of the shepherds as current and habitual. This grammar supports the theological claim that the leaders’ corruption is systemic, not accidental.
2. Shepherd Metaphor in Prophetic Literature
The use of “shepherds” as a metaphor for leaders (especially kings) is common throughout the Tanakh. Here, Jeremiah flips the image: rather than guiding and protecting, these shepherds are predators and agents of ruin.
3. Covenant Implications
The reference to צֹאן מַרְעִיתִי highlights the covenantal relationship between YHWH and Yisra’el. The leaders’ betrayal is not just political—it is theological treachery, violating YHWH’s care for His people.
The Role of מְאַבְּדִים and מְפִצִים in Jeremiah 23:1
The participles מְאַבְּדִים and מְפִצִים are grammatically and theologically central to this prophetic woe:
- Grammatically: Masculine plural active participles in Piel and Hifil, expressing ongoing destructive actions
- Literarily: Intensify the judgment oracle through parallelism and coordinated indictment
- Theologically: Depict the leaders as covenant violators who oppose YHWH’s pastoral role over His people
In Jeremiah 23:1, the participles do more than describe—they accuse. Through their tense and stems, they expose the leadership as actively and persistently undermining YHWH’s flock. The grammar becomes prophecy: habitual destruction demands divine intervention.
