Jeremiah 33:12
New International Version
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate and without people or animals—in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.

New Living Translation
“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: This land—though it is now desolate and has no people and animals—will once more have pastures where shepherds can lead their flocks.

English Standard Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: In this place that is waste, without man or beast, and in all of its cities, there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks.

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: In this desolate place, without man or beast, and in all its cities, there will once more be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In this place which is desolate, without man and without beast, and in all its cities, there shall again be a dwelling place of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

New American Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of armies says: ‘There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or animal, and in all its cities, a pasture for shepherds who rest their flocks.

NASB 1995
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or beast, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds who rest their flocks.

NASB 1977
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘There shall again be in this place which is waste, without man or beast, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds who rest their flocks.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or beast, and in all its cities, an abode of shepherds who cause their flocks to lie down.

Amplified Bible
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘There will again be in this desolate place—[a place] without man or animal—and in all its cities, pastures for shepherds who rest their flocks.

Christian Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Armies says: In this desolate place—without people or animals—and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: In this desolate place—without man or beast—and in all its cities there will once more be a grazing land where shepherds may rest flocks.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is what the LORD of Armies says: In this deserted place, where no people or animals live, and in all its cities, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can rest their flocks.

Good News Translation
The LORD Almighty said, "In this land that is like a desert and where no people or animals live, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can take their sheep.

International Standard Version
"This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'In this place that is now a ruin without people or animals, and in all its towns there will again be pasture for shepherds resting their flocks.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: In this desolate place, without man or beast, and in all its cities, there will once more be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.

NET Bible
"I, the LORD who rules over all, say: 'This place will indeed lie in ruins. There will be no people or animals in it. But there will again be in it and in its towns sheepfolds where shepherds can rest their sheep.

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and without animal, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all its cities, shall be a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

World English Bible
Yahweh of Armies says: “Yet again there will be in this place, which is waste, without man and without animal, and in all its cities, a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Again there is in this place—that is dry, "" Without man and beast, "" And in all its cities—a habitation of shepherds, "" Causing the flock to lie down.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Again there is in this place -- that is waste, Without man and beast, And in all its cities -- a habitation of shepherds, Causing the flock to lie down.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of armies: Yet shall be in this place being laid waste without man and without cattle, and in all its cities, the habitation of the shepherds causing the sheep to lie down.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall be again in this place that is desolate without man, and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Still shall there be in this place, (which is desolate without man and without beast,) and in all of its cities: a habitation for the shepherds giving rest to their flocks.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In this place, now a waste, without people or animals, and in all its cities there shall again be sheepfolds for the shepherds to rest their flocks.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: In this place that is waste, without human beings or animals, and in all its towns there shall again be pasture for shepherds resting their flocks.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: From henceforth in this place which is waste, without men and without beast, and in all its cities there shall be habitations of shepherds and folds of the flocks.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: ‘Therefore in this place that is desolate of children of man, and unto the beast and among all its cities shall be lodges of Shepherds and folds of sheep
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Yet again shall there be in this place, which is waste, without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, a habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet be in this place, that is desert for want of man and beast, in all the cities thereof, resting-places for shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
Audio Bible



Context
The Restoration of Israel
11the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD. 12This is what the LORD of Hosts says: In this desolate place, without man or beast, and in all its cities, there will once more be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. 13In the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev, in the land of Benjamin and the cities surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the LORD.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 36:35
Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’

Isaiah 51:3
For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

Isaiah 32:15-16
until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest. / Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the fertile field.

Hosea 2:15
There I will give back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor into a gateway of hope. There she will respond as she did in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

Zechariah 8:12
“For the seed will be prosperous, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will yield its produce, and the skies will give their dew. To the remnant of this people I will give all these things as an inheritance.

Psalm 107:35-38
He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs. / He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell. / They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. ...

Isaiah 35:1-2
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. / It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

Amos 9:14-15
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. / I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Ezekiel 34:26-27
I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season—showers of blessing. / The trees of the field will give their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; My flock will be secure in their land. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and delivered them from the hands that enslaved them.

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

Isaiah 41:18-19
I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs. / I will plant cedars in the wilderness, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees. I will set cypresses in the desert, elms and boxwood together,

Isaiah 55:12-13
You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. / Instead of the thornbush, the cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, the myrtle will spring up; this will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.

without.

Jeremiah 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 36:29
And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

Jeremiah 51:62
Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

in all.

Jeremiah 17:26
And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:24
And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.

Jeremiah 32:44
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

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Jeremiah 33
1. God promises to the captivity a gracious return;
9. a joyful state;
12. a settled government;
15. Christ the branch of righteousness;
17. a continuance of kingdom and priesthood;
19. and a stability of a blessed seed.














This is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly armies. The Hebrew term "Yahweh Sabaoth" conveys God's omnipotence and His role as a divine warrior. This introduction underscores the certainty and divine authority of the prophecy that follows, assuring the listener that the message is not merely human optimism but a divine promise.

In this place
The phrase "this place" refers to the land of Judah and Jerusalem, which had been devastated by the Babylonian conquest. Historically, this was a time of great despair for the Israelites, as their homeland lay in ruins. The specificity of "this place" highlights God's intimate knowledge and concern for the very land that His people inhabit, promising restoration to a specific, tangible location.

which is desolate
The word "desolate" in Hebrew is "shamem," meaning laid waste or devastated. This term captures the utter destruction and abandonment experienced by the land. The desolation is both physical and spiritual, reflecting the consequences of Israel's disobedience. Yet, it sets the stage for a miraculous transformation, emphasizing the power of God to bring life from barrenness.

without man or beast
This phrase paints a picture of complete emptiness, where life once thrived. The absence of "man or beast" signifies total desolation, a land devoid of its inhabitants and their livestock. This imagery serves to heighten the impact of the promised restoration, as it contrasts the current state with the future flourishing that God will bring about.

in all its cities
The mention of "all its cities" indicates the widespread nature of the devastation, affecting not just rural areas but urban centers as well. Historically, cities were centers of culture, commerce, and community life. The promise of restoration to "all its cities" suggests a comprehensive renewal, affecting every aspect of society and restoring the social and economic fabric of the nation.

there will once more be a pasture
The phrase "once more be a pasture" signifies a return to normalcy and prosperity. In ancient Israel, pastures were vital for sustaining livestock, which were essential for the economy and daily life. The Hebrew word "naveh" implies a dwelling place or habitation, suggesting not just survival but thriving. This promise of renewal is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to restore what was lost.

for shepherds to rest their flocks
The image of "shepherds to rest their flocks" evokes peace, security, and provision. Shepherds were responsible for the care and protection of their sheep, and the ability to rest signifies a time of safety and abundance. Biblically, shepherds often symbolize leaders or caretakers, and this imagery may also point to the restoration of righteous leadership in Israel. The pastoral scene reflects God's tender care for His people, promising a future where they can dwell securely under His watchful eye.

(12, 13) Again in this place.--The "place" includes, as in Jeremiah 33:10, "the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem." The "habitation" for shepherds is translated sometimes by "sheepcote" (1Chronicles 17:7; 2Samuel 7:8), sometimes by "fold" (Isaiah 65:10; Ezekiel 34:14), sometimes by "dwelling" or "habitation." It would seem here to answer to the "towns" of our old English speech, as meaning enclosed spaces, with the tower of the watchman (2Kings 17:9; Isaiah 1:8), in which, in times of average tranquillity, shepherds and their flocks found shelter, but which were abandoned when the land was overrun by an invading army. In Jeremiah 33:13 the eye of the prophet travels over such districts within the kingdom of Judah to the north and south of Jerusalem, and adds to the picture the vivid touch that the "sheep shall pass under the hands of him that telleth them," the shepherd whose work it was to count the flock--in older English, "to tell his tale"--as it went out in the morning and returned at nightfall, should find that he had lost none of them. . . . Verse 12. - An habitation; rather, a pasture (including the idea of an encampment). The expression reminds us of Jeremiah 23:3, 4, but it is preferable to take the present passage in its literal sense rather than as metaphorical.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָאוֹת֒ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֮ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

In this
הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

desolate
הֶחָרֵ֛ב (he·ḥā·rêḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2720: Parched, ruined

place,
בַּמָּק֣וֹם (bam·mā·qō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

without
מֵֽאֵין־ (mê·’ên-)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

man
אָדָ֥ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

or beast,
בְּהֵמָ֖ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

and in all
וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

its cities,
עָרָ֑יו (‘ā·rāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

there will once more
ע֞וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

be
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה ׀ (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

pastures
נְוֵ֣ה (nə·wêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5116: Abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation

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

to rest
מַרְבִּצִ֖ים (mar·bi·ṣîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

[their] flocks.
צֹֽאן׃ (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 33:12 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Yet again (Jer.)
Jeremiah 33:11
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