Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Israel is like a sheep that got scattered and chased away by lions. First, the king of Assyria came and destroyed them, and now Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, has completely broken them apart.
Israel got attacked from all sides, first Assyria wrecked them, then Babylon finished the job.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah was prophesying to the people of Judah during a time of impending judgment from Babylon, as God was using foreign empires to discipline His wayward nation. Israel had already been conquered and scattered by the Assyrians in the 8th century BC, leading to the fall of the Northern Kingdom, and now the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar were poised to destroy Jerusalem and exile the Southern Kingdom. This verse uses the metaphor of a scattered sheep to illustrate Israel's vulnerability and the successive attacks by these powerful rulers as part of God's sovereign plan.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.