Bible Strands
Jeremiah 33:12
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts speaks through Jeremiah to Judah during a period of national devastation and exile. He delivers this declaration immediately after promising the return of joy, worship, and the land from captivity.
The words — The Hebrew word ע֞וֹד (od) means "again" and modifies יִֽהְיֶ֣ה (yih.Yeh), "it will be," to establish a future restoration. Together they assert that pastures will once more exist in a place currently empty of people and animals.
The thread — This promise of agricultural return aligns with Isaiah 65:10, where Sharon becomes pasture, and Jeremiah 31:24, which describes farmers and shepherds dwelling together in Judah's cities. It functions as the middle link in a three-verse sequence that moves from communal thanksgiving (Jeremiah 33:11) to the geographic return of flocks (Jeremiah 33:13).
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that present desolation is temporary and subject to divine reversal. It demands recognition that covenant faithfulness restores both worship and the means of livelihood to the land.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 65:10 Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for My people who seek Me.
- Jeremiah 31:24 And Judah and all its cities will dwell together in the land, the farmers and those who move with the flocks,
- Jeremiah 36:29 You are to proclaim concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah that this is what the LORD says: You have burned the scroll and said, ‘Why have you written on it that the king of Babylon would surely come and destroy this land and deprive it of man and beast?’
- Jeremiah 51:62 and say, ‘O LORD, You have promised to cut off this place so that no one will remain—neither man nor beast. Indeed, it will be desolate forever.’
- Ezekiel 34:12 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.
- Zephaniah 2:6 So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep.
- Jeremiah 17:26 And people will come from the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, and from the foothills, the hill country, and the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.
- Jeremiah 32:43 And fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.’
- Jeremiah 50:19 I will return Israel to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.
- Ezekiel 36:8 But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and bear fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home.