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Jeremiah 3:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 3:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith Jehovah; I will not look in anger upon you; for I am merciful, saith Jehovah, I will not keep [anger] for ever.
13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Jehovah thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith Jehovah.
14Return, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
15and I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16And it shall come to pass, when ye are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith Jehovah, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of Jehovah; neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember it; neither shall they miss it; neither shall it be made any more.
17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
18In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers.
← Jeremiah 3:14Jeremiah 3:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, etc.] Which is to be understood not of political rulers and governors, but ministers of the word; who are “pastors” or “shepherds” under Christ the great Shepherd, and are “gifts” of his to the churches, and “according to his heart”; or “conformable to his mind”, as the Arabic version; whom he calls, qualifies, puts into the ministry, and sends forth; whom he holds in his right hand, and keeps as the apple of his eye; who do his will, as the Targum, and feed men according to his heart: and as this prophecy belongs to Gospel times, as appears both by what goes before and by what follows, the apostles of Christ and first ministers of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“pastors--not religious, but civil rulers, as Zerubbabel, Nehemiah (Jer 23:4; Jer 2:8).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pastors - “Kings, rulers” (compare Jeremiah 2:8). Not military usurpers Hosea 8:4, but true servants of God, as David 1 Samuel 13:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:15 If the people of Israel repented, the Lord wanted to give them more than just the land. He also promised to provide leaders (shepherds) who would guide them with knowledge and understanding (23:4, 31; Ezek 34:11; Acts 20:28; Eph 4:11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“And I: Jer 23:4; Sa1 13:14; Isa 30:20, Isa 30:21; Eze 34:23, Eze 37:24; Mic 5:4, Mic 5:5; Joh 10:1-5, Joh 21:15-17; Eph 4:11, Eph 4:12; Pe1 5:1-4 which shall: Pro 10:21; Luk 12:42; Joh 21:15, Joh 21:17; Act 20:28; Co1 2:6, Co1 2:12, Co1 2:13, Co1 3:1, Co1 3:2; Heb 5:12-14; Pe1 2:2, Pe1 5:2 Jeremiah 3:16”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification