And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

JEREMIAH 23:3KJV
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Jeremiah 23:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 23:3 mean?

Jeremiah 23:3 says that God will personally gather the remaining people of His “flock” from all the places where He scattered them and will bring them back to their own land, where they will thrive and grow in number. This verse promises restoration and future blessing for those who survived past judgment.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, many of whom had been exiled or scattered because of unfaithful leaders and national disobedience. The “remnant” refers to those who are left after disaster, and the “flock” is a picture of God’s people as sheep under His care. The verse assures them that God has not forgotten them and will restore them to safety and fruitfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 23:3

  • “gather” (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to collect or assemble, often used for bringing people together from scattered places. Here, it emphasizes God’s active role in bringing His people back.
  • “remnant” (שְׁאֵרִית, she’erit): This term refers to those who remain after a calamity. It highlights that not everyone is lost—God preserves a group for Himself.
  • “folds” (נָוֶה, naveh): This word means a dwelling or pasture for sheep. It suggests a place of safety, rest, and provision, not just a return to land but to a place of care.
  • “fruitful” (פָּרָה, parah) and “increase” (רָבָה, rabah): These words together stress not just survival but flourishing—God’s people will multiply and thrive, reversing their previous decline.

Why Jeremiah 23:3 matters

  • Jeremiah 23:3 clarifies that God’s judgment is not the end of the story; He promises restoration for those who remain faithful or survive hardship.
  • The verse shifts the focus from failed human leaders to God’s personal care and initiative, showing that God Himself will act as the true shepherd.
  • This promise of gathering and increase connects to the larger biblical theme of God preserving a remnant and restoring His people after exile, offering hope in the midst of warning.

Where else these words appear

“fruitful” Hebrew H6509 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
  • Genesis 35:11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
  • Psalms 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

“folds” Hebrew H5116 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
  • Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
  • Jeremiah 31:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.

“driven” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“remnant” Hebrew H7611 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
  • Jeremiah 15:9 She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 11:13 And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?