Jeremiah 10:21 Meaning and Explanation
“For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Corrupt leaders failed to seek God, so they will not succeed and their people will be dispersed.
The Context of Jeremiah 10:21
Corrupt leadership brings both the leaders' failure and the people's dispersion.
What Does Jeremiah 10:21 Mean?
The pastors—the leaders, priests, and shepherds of Israel—have become brutish, lacking the wisdom and understanding needed for their role. More fundamentally, they have not sought the Lord. Their failure is not merely administrative but spiritual: they neglected the primary responsibility of seeking God's guidance.
Because of this spiritual abandonment, they will not prosper. Their leadership will fail, and the result falls on those they led: all their flocks shall be scattered. The people, metaphorically sheep, will be dispersed and lost. Corrupt leadership leads not only to the leader's downfall but to the suffering of the entire community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 10:21
What does Jeremiah 10:21 mean?
Corrupt leaders failed to seek God, so they will not succeed and their people will be dispersed.
What is the context of Jeremiah 10:21?
Corrupt leadership brings both the leaders' failure and the people's dispersion.