ירמיהו, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ד׳

A fundamental change in the nation's future is promised, marking a transition from failing authority to an era of protective, caring leadership. God commits to appointing new, faithful guides for the people. These individuals will lead with integrity and dedication, caring for the nation just as a devoted shepherd tends to a flock [רד"ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Looking at this from a historical perspective, this era of leadership is identified by some with the Second Temple period. During that time, the nation was not ruled by kings with absolute power, but rather by leaders who functioned simply as these dedicated shepherds [מלבי"ם].

Under the care of these proper leaders, the people will finally experience true peace and security, completely safe from the threats of surrounding nations [מצודת דוד]. As a result, they will be entirely free from fear. The promise of safety addresses different emotional states. One perspective explains that they will be spared both ordinary fear and a much deeper state of emotional brokenness, panic, and humiliation [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another view suggests a different scale, noting that the promise covers both intense fear and even the mildest levels of anxiety. The people will not suffer from great terror, nor will they feel even the slightest emotional distress [מלבי"ם].

The ultimate result of God's protection and this stable leadership is a guarantee of absolute physical wholeness for the nation. The primary approach among commentators is that the people will never experience loss or a decrease in their numbers. They will not be broken by their enemies, and not a single individual from Israel will ever be missing.