Jeremiah 51:23

23 with you I shatter shepherds and their flocks; with you I shatter farmers and their teams; with you I shatter 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 shatter horses and their riders; with you I shatter chariots and their drivers;

22 with you I shatter husbands and wives; with you I shatter old and young; with you I shatter young men and virgins;

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

24 "But I will repay Bavel and all living in the land of the Kasdim for all the evil they did in Tziyon," says ADONAI, "before your eyes [, Y'hudah]."

25 "I am against you, destructive mountain, destroying all the earth," says ADONAI. "I will stretch out my hand against you, to send you tumbling down from the crags and make you a burned-out mountain.