Jeremiah 17

King James Version

Full text for Jeremiah Chapter 17

1¶ The sin of Judah [is] written with a pen of iron, [and] with the point of a diamond: [it is] graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

2Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.

3O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance [and] all thy treasures to the spoil, [and] thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.

4And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, [which] shall burn for ever.

5¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

7Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

10I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

11[As] the partridge sitteth [on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

12¶ A glorious high throne from the beginning [is] the place of our sanctuary.

13O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, [and] they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

14Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.

15Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now.

16As for me, I have not hastened from [being] a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was [right] before thee.

17Be not a terror unto me: thou [art] my hope in the day of evil.

18Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

19¶ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

20And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

21Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring [it] in by the gates of Jerusalem;

22Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

23But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

24And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

25Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.

26And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

27But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jeremiah 17 opens by declaring Judah's sin to be deeply ingrained, leading to divine judgment and the loss of their heritage. It then contrasts the curse upon those who trust in man with the blessing upon those who trust in the LORD, who alone searches the deceitful human heart. The chapter concludes with a divine command to hallow the Sabbath, promising enduring prosperity for obedience and destruction for disobedience.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with a vivid description of Judah's sin, etched upon their hearts and altars, which precipitates God's judgment, including the spoiling of their land and service to enemies. A central theme contrasts the fate of those who rely on human strength, likened to a barren desert plant, with those who trust in the LORD, who flourish like a tree by water. The prophet emphasizes the profound deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, asserting that only the LORD can truly know and judge it, rendering to each according to their deeds. Jeremiah then offers a personal prayer, seeking healing and vindication from the LORD, whom he identifies as Israel's hope and sanctuary. Finally, the LORD delivers a specific instruction regarding the Sabbath: diligent observance will ensure Jerusalem's perpetual existence and the continuation of Davidic kings, while disobedience will result in the city's destruction by unquenchable fire.

Long Summary

Jeremiah 17 commences with a powerful indictment of Judah's sin, depicted as indelibly inscribed upon their hearts and altars, a pervasive transgression remembered even by their children through their idolatrous groves and high places. This deep-seated iniquity is declared to be the direct cause of divine judgment, including the spoiling of their substance and treasures, the destruction of their high places for sin, and their forced removal from their heritage to serve enemies in an unknown land, having kindled an everlasting divine anger. The text then presents a profound theological contrast: a curse is pronounced upon the man who trusts in human strength and whose heart departs from the LORD, likening him to a barren heath in the desert that sees no good. Conversely, a blessing is promised to the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is in Him, comparing him to a verdant tree planted by waters, ever-fruitful and unbothered by drought. Following this, the prophet reveals the inherent nature of the human heart, describing it as deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, a depth only the omniscient LORD can fully search and understand, for He judges each person according to their deeds. An admonition against ill-gotten riches is given, stating that such wealth will be lost, and its accumulator will be a fool. Jeremiah then expresses his personal plea, acknowledging the LORD as the glorious sanctuary and the hope of Israel, and asking for healing and salvation while facing the taunts of those who question the fulfillment of God's word. He seeks protection from his persecutors, asking for their confusion and double destruction. The chapter concludes with a direct divine command to Jeremiah, instructing him to deliver a message to the kings and inhabitants of Jerusalem regarding the Sabbath. The LORD emphasizes the critical importance of hallowing the Sabbath day by refraining from carrying burdens or doing any work. Obedience to this command promises enduring prosperity for Jerusalem, with kings and princes continuing to reign from David's throne and the city remaining forever, a center of worship. However, a stern warning is issued: if they fail to hallow the Sabbath, an unquenchable fire will be kindled in Jerusalem's gates, devouring its palaces.

Core Concepts

  • Judah's Inscribed SinJudah's sin is described as being deeply and permanently etched upon their hearts and altars, signifying its pervasive and ingrained nature within their society and worship practices. This deep-seated idolatry and transgression are the root cause of their impending divine judgment and exile.
  • Trust in Man vs. Trust in GodThe chapter presents a clear dichotomy between trusting in human strength, which leads to a cursed, barren existence, and trusting in the LORD, which results in a blessed, flourishing life likened to a well-watered tree. This highlights the source of true security and prosperity.
  • The Deceitful HeartThe human heart is characterized as supremely deceitful and desperately wicked, a depth of corruption that no human can fully comprehend. Only the LORD possesses the ability to search and understand the heart and the innermost thoughts, judging individuals according to their true ways and actions.
  • The LORD as Israel's HopeDespite Judah's sin, the LORD is affirmed as the glorious sanctuary and the ultimate hope for Israel. Those who forsake Him are destined for shame, as He is the 'fountain of living waters' from which true life and sustenance flow.
  • Sanctification of the SabbathA significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to the divine command to hallow the Sabbath day. This involves refraining from all work and carrying burdens, serving as a crucial test of obedience with profound consequences for the city of Jerusalem.
  • Consequences of Obedience and DisobedienceThe chapter clearly outlines the outcomes of heeding or neglecting God's commands, particularly regarding the Sabbath. Obedience promises perpetual prosperity, stable leadership, and continued worship in Jerusalem, while disobedience threatens the city with unquenchable fiery destruction.
  • Jeremiah's Personal PleaAmidst the divine pronouncements, Jeremiah interjects a personal prayer, seeking healing, salvation, and vindication from the LORD against his persecutors. He affirms God as his hope and praise, even as he faces taunts about the fulfillment of prophecy.