Jeremiah 17:16

I have not hastened. Some have interpreted this declaration of Jeremiah as indicating that he had not been quick to leave his work as a shepherd to carry out God’s commission as a prophet (see Amos 7:14, 15), assuming that before his call he tended his flocks in Anathoth and “her suburbs” (see 1 Chron. 6:60). However, the Hebrew of this passage is somewhat obscure and may be otherwise understood. Another possible meaning is that Jeremiah had not withdrawn from following God as a spiritual shepherd. A third possible interpretation is that reflected in the RSV (see below under “Pastor”).

Pastor. Heb. ro‘eh, “shepherd.” Some believe that the word should be read ra‘ah, “evil,” which is the reading of the Syriac and of the Greek translations of Aquila and Symmachus. Thus the RSV renders this clause, “I have not pressed thee to send evil.”

Neither have I desired. The prophet is protesting that because he had no desire to see “the woeful day” of divine judgment, which he predicted would come upon his people, he was not too eager to be God’s spokesman.