Jeremiah 3:15
New International Version
Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

New Living Translation
And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.

English Standard Version
“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Berean Standard Bible
Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

King James Bible
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

New King James Version
And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

New American Standard Bible
“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you knowledge and understanding.

NASB 1995
“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

NASB 1977
“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will shepherd you on knowledge and understanding.

Amplified Bible
“Then [in the final time] I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and [true] understanding.

Christian Standard Bible
I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will give you shepherds who are loyal to Me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.

American Standard Version
And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Contemporary English Version
Then I'll appoint wise rulers who will obey me, and they will care for you like shepherds.

English Revised Version
and I will give you shepherds according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will give you shepherds after my own heart. They will be shepherds who feed you with knowledge and insight.

Good News Translation
I will give you rulers who obey me, and they will rule you with wisdom and understanding.

International Standard Version
I'll give you shepherds after my own heart, and they'll shepherd you with knowledge and good sense."

Majority Standard Bible
Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

NET Bible
I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

New Heart English Bible
I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will give you pastors according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

World English Bible
I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have given shepherds to you "" According to My own heart, "" And they have fed you with knowledge and understanding.

Young's Literal Translation
And I have given to you shepherds According to Mine own heart, And they have fed you with knowledge and understanding.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I gave to you shepherds according to my heart, and they fed you with knowledge and understanding.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will give you pastors according to my own heart, and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will give you pastors according to my own heart. And they will feed you with knowledge and doctrine.

New American Bible
I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.

New Revised Standard Version
I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I will give you rulers according to my own heart, who will govern you with knowledge and understanding.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall give to you Shepherds according to my heart, and they shall shepherd you with knowledge and with understanding
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and I will give you shepherds after my heart, and they shall certainly tend you with knowledge.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Invitation to Repentance
14“Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion. 15Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” 16“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 34:23
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

Ezekiel 34:11-16
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...

John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

1 Peter 5:2-4
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Psalm 23:1-3
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Matthew 9:36
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, / equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Samuel 2:35
Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.

Micah 5:4
He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 11:4-5
This is what the LORD my God says: “Pasture the flock marked for slaughter, / whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them.

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. / An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

and I

Jeremiah 23:4
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

1 Samuel 13:14
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

Isaiah 30:20,21
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: …

which shall

Proverbs 10:21
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

John 21:15,17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs…

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Jeremiah 3
1. God's great mercy to Judah the polluted land
6. Judah is worse than Israel
12. The promises of the gospel to the penitent
20. Israel reproved, and called by God, makes a solemn confession of their sins














Then I will give you
This phrase signifies a divine promise and initiative. The Hebrew word for "give" is "נָתַן" (natan), which implies a generous bestowal from God. In the context of Jeremiah, this promise follows a call to repentance and return to God. It highlights God's proactive role in providing for His people, emphasizing His sovereignty and grace. Historically, this reflects God's covenant faithfulness, assuring Israel of His continued care and provision despite their previous unfaithfulness.

shepherds
The term "shepherds" in Hebrew is "רֹעִים" (ro'im), which metaphorically represents leaders or rulers. In ancient Near Eastern culture, kings and leaders were often depicted as shepherds of their people, responsible for their welfare and guidance. Biblically, this imagery is rich, as it evokes the pastoral care of figures like David, the shepherd-king, and ultimately points to the Messiah, the Good Shepherd. This promise indicates God's intention to provide leaders who will genuinely care for and guide His people according to His will.

after My own heart
This phrase is deeply significant, as it echoes the description of David in 1 Samuel 13:14. The Hebrew "כִּלְבָבִי" (kilvavi) suggests alignment with God's desires and purposes. Leaders "after God's own heart" are those who seek to fulfill His will, embodying His character and priorities. This promise assures that the appointed shepherds will not be self-serving but will reflect God's compassion, justice, and righteousness, leading the people in a manner that honors Him.

who will feed you
The act of feeding, "יִרְעוּ" (yir'u), is a shepherd's primary duty, symbolizing provision and care. In a spiritual sense, this feeding involves nurturing the people with God's truth and wisdom. The imagery of feeding underscores the sustenance and growth that come from receiving God's word and guidance. It reflects a commitment to the well-being of the community, ensuring they are spiritually nourished and equipped to live faithfully.

with knowledge and understanding
The Hebrew words for "knowledge" (דַּעַת, da'at) and "understanding" (בִּינָה, binah) convey a depth of insight and discernment. Knowledge refers to an awareness of God's laws and ways, while understanding implies the ability to apply this knowledge wisely. This promise highlights the importance of leaders who are not only informed but also wise in their application of God's truth. It assures the people that they will be guided by those who can discern God's will and lead them in paths of righteousness.

(15) Pastors.--As in Jeremiah 2:8, of kings and rulers, not of priests. Compare Jeremiah 23:1-5. The phrase "according to mine heart" brings David to our thoughts (1Samuel 13:14). There should be a return to the true pattern of the ideal ruler. In the "knowledge and understanding" we have an echo from Isaiah 11:1-4.

Verse 15. - Pastors. In Jeremiah 23:4, the same word is rendered in the Authorized Version "shepherds," which would he less open to misunderstanding here than "pastors," civil and not spiritual authorities being intended (see on Jeremiah 2:8). The prophecy is, of course, not inconsistent with passages like Jeremiah 23:5, but as the national continuance of Israel was guaranteed, it was natural to refer to the subordinate civil authorities. According to mine heart; better, according to my mind; for here, as also in 1 Samuel 13:14, it is something very far from perfection which is ascribed to the chosen rulers. "Heart" is sometimes equivalent to "understanding."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then I will give
וְנָתַתִּ֥י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
אֶתְכֶ֖ם (’eṯ·ḵem)
Direct object marker | second person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

shepherds
רֹעִ֖ים (rō·‘îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

after
לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

My own heart,
כְּלִבִּ֑י (kə·lib·bî)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

who will feed
וְרָע֥וּ (wə·rā·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

you with knowledge
דֵּעָ֥ה (dê·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1844: Knowledge

and understanding.
וְהַשְׂכֵּֽיל׃ (wə·haś·kêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you shepherds according (Jer.)
Jeremiah 3:14
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