In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 33:13KJV
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Jeremiah 33:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 33:13 mean?

Jeremiah 33:13 promises that flocks of sheep will once again be counted and cared for in all the regions of Judah, showing that normal, peaceful life will return after a time of trouble. This verse uses the image of shepherds counting their sheep to picture restoration and security for the land and its people.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah, who are facing destruction and exile because of their unfaithfulness. Here, God assures them that places now empty and desolate—including the mountains, valleys, southern areas, Benjamin’s territory, around Jerusalem, and all Judah’s cities—will be filled with life again. The everyday act of shepherds counting their flocks (“under the hands of him that telleth them”) highlights a return to order and blessing.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 33:13

  • The word for “flocks” (צֹאן, tson) refers specifically to sheep or small livestock, which were central to daily life and the local economy. The mention of flocks signals not just survival, but a thriving, restored community.
  • The phrase “under the hands” (יַד, yad) points to the careful, personal attention of shepherds as they count each animal, showing a sense of care and oversight that had been lost during times of chaos.
  • The verb “telleth” (מָנָה, manah) means to count or number, emphasizing that life will be so stable that people can once again focus on ordinary, peaceful tasks.

Why Jeremiah 33:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 33:13 clears up the idea that God’s judgment is the final word; instead, it stresses that restoration and hope are promised even after disaster.
  • The verse highlights the completeness of the restoration by naming specific regions, showing that no area is left out of God’s care.
  • This image of shepherds and flocks connects to other biblical themes of God as a shepherd and His people as His flock, deepening the sense of comfort and reassurance for those who hear Jeremiah’s message.

Where else these words appear

“vale” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • Joshua 15:33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
  • 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

“telleth” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
  • Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.