Jeremiah 51:23

23 with you I smash shepherds and their flocks; with you I smash farmers and their teams; with you I smash governors and deputies.

Jeremiah 51:23 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 51:23

And I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his
flock
Or, have broken; which Abarbinel thinks respects the Arabians particularly, who were shepherds, and dwelt in tents; but it rather signifies shepherds and their flocks in general; who were killed or scattered wherever his armies came, which spared none, even the most innocent and useful, and though unarmed: and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of
oxen;
with which he ploughed his ground: signifying by this, as well as the former, that those were not spared, by which kingdoms were supported and maintained, as shepherds and husbandmen: and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers;
by whom kingdoms and states are governed and protected.

Jeremiah 51:23 In-Context

21 with you I smash the horse and its rider; with you I smash the chariot and the charioteer;

22 with you I smash man and woman; with you I smash the old man and the boy; with you I smash the young man and the girl;

23 with you I smash shepherds and their flocks; with you I smash farmers and their teams; with you I smash governors and deputies.

24 I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea before your very eyes for all the wrong that they have done in Zion, says the Lord.

25 I am against you, O destroying mountain, says the Lord, that destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burned-out mountain.