Jeremiah 25:34

32 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth.”

33 Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground.

Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.

35 Flight will evade the shepherds, and escape will elude the leaders of the flock.

36 Hear the cry of the shepherds, the wailing of the leaders of the flock, for the LORD is destroying their pasture.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Wail, you shepherds, and cry out; roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock. For the days of your slaughter have come; you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.
KJV
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.
WEB
Wail, you shepherds, and cry. Wallow in dust, you leader of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come, and you will fall like fine pottery.
ASV
Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and ye shall fall like a goodly vessel.
DARBY
Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the dust], noble ones of the flock: for the days of your slaughter are accomplished, and I will disperse you; and ye shall fall like a precious vessel.
BLB
Wail, O shepherds, and cry out; and roll, O leaders of the flock! For the days of your⁺ slaughter are fulfilled—and of your⁺ dispersions—and you⁺ will fall like a precious vessel.
ÅB
Hyl, dere hyrder, og skrik og velt dere i støvet, dere som er de gjeveste i flokken! For tiden er kommet da dere skal slaktes, og jeg vil adsprede dere, og dere skal falle som et kostelig kar,
OTB
Klag, dere hyrder, og rop; rull dere i støvet, dere ledere av flokken. For deres tid til å bli slaktet har kommet; dere vil falle som de fineste av værer.
B1930
Hyl, I hyrder, og skrik og velt eder i støvet, I som er de gjeveste i hjorden! For tiden er kommet da I skal slaktes, og jeg vil adsprede eder, og I skal falle som et kostelig kar,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 6:26

    O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 27:7

    All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 4:21

    So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 25:23

    Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair;

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 34:16–17

    I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 2:16

    against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 36:10

    In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiachin and brought him to Babylon, along with the articles of value from the house of the LORD. And he made Jehoiachin’s relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 4:8–9

    So put on sackcloth, mourn and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us.”

    Read in context