Jeremiah 17:6
Jeremiah 17:6 in Multiple Translations
He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
For 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.
For 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, a salt land and not inhabited.
For he will be like the brushwood in the upland, and will not see when good comes; but his living-place will be in the dry places in the waste land, in a salt and unpeopled land.
They will be like a shrub alone in the desert that isn't even aware when good things happen. It just goes on living in the dry desert, in a salt flat that's uninhabited.
For he shall be like the heath in the wildernesse, and shall not see when any good commeth, but shall inhabite the parched places in the wildernesse, in a salt land, and not inhabited.
And he hath been as a naked thing in a desert, And doth not see when good cometh, And hath inhabited parched places in a wilderness, A salt land, and not inhabited.
For he will be like a bush in the desert, and will not see when good comes, but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, an uninhabited salt land.
For 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.
For he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come: but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited.
They are like dry bushes in the desert, they are people who will not experience any good things. Those people will live in the barren desert in a salty area, where nothing grows.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 17:6
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 17:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָה֙
כְּ/עַרְעָ֣ר
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
וְ/לֹ֥א
יִרְאֶ֖ה
כִּי
יָב֣וֹא
ט֑וֹב
וְ/שָׁכַ֤ן
חֲרֵרִים֙
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֔ר
אֶ֥רֶץ
מְלֵחָ֖ה
וְ/לֹ֥א
תֵשֵֽׁב
וְ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כְּ/עַרְעָ֣ר
ʻărôwʻêr
H6176
juniper
Prep | N-ms
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Prep | N-fs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יִרְאֶ֖ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
וְ/שָׁכַ֤ן
shâkan
H7931
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
חֲרֵרִים֙
chârêr
H2788
parched
N-mp
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֔ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
מְלֵחָ֖ה
mᵉlêchâh
H4420
saltiness
N-fs
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תֵשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 17:6
וְ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כְּ/עַרְעָ֣ר
ʻărôwʻêr
H6176
"juniper"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a juniper tree, which can also mean naked or stripped, is used in the Bible to describe a type of evergreen tree. In the KJV, it is sometimes translated as health. This word is used to describe a specific type of tree in the Bible.
Definition: 1) naked, stripped, destitute 2) tree or bush 2a) probably juniper or cypress
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: health. See also: Jeremiah 17:6; Jeremiah 48:6.
בָּֽ/עֲרָבָ֔ה
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Prep | N-fs
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִרְאֶ֖ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יָב֣וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
וְ/שָׁכַ֤ן
shâkan
H7931
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to live or stay in a place, like when God dwells among his people. It appears in books like Exodus and Psalms, describing God's presence. It's about making a home or resting place.
Definition: 1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to settle down to abide 1a2) to abide, dwell, reside 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make settle down, establish 1b2) to make or cause to dwell 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix 1c2) to cause to dwell or abide Aramaic equivalent: she.khan (שְׁכֵן "to dwell" H7932)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up). See also: Genesis 3:24; Psalms 55:7; Psalms 7:6.
חֲרֵרִים֙
chârêr
H2788
"parched"
N-mp
This word means a dry and parched place, often used to describe a barren land. It appears in the Bible to depict a harsh environment. In the KJV, it is translated as 'parched place'.
Definition: dry regions, parched place
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: parched place. See also: Jeremiah 17:6.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֔ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מְלֵחָ֖ה
mᵉlêchâh
H4420
"saltiness"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a barren or salty land, often describing a desert. It appears in the Bible to depict a desolate area, like a wilderness. In the KJV, it is translated as barren land or salt land.
Definition: saltness, barrenness, saltiness
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: barren land(-ness), salt (land). See also: Job 39:6; Psalms 107:34; Jeremiah 17:6.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֵשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 17:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 17:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 17:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 17:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 17:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
- Sermons on Jeremiah 17:6
Context — The Sin and Punishment of Judah
4And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, for you have kindled My anger; it will burn forever.”
5This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
6He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
7But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 20:17 | He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 29:23 | All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. |
| 3 | Psalms 1:4 | Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 48:6 | ‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert. ’ |
| 5 | Job 39:6 | I made the wilderness his home and the salt flats his dwelling. |
| 6 | Job 15:30–34 | He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away. Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward. It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish. He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery. |
| 7 | Job 8:11–13 | Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water? While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. |
| 8 | Psalms 129:6–8 | May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow, unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves. May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.” |
| 9 | Zephaniah 2:9 | Therefore, as surely as I live,” declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, “surely Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah— a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.” |
| 10 | Judges 9:45 | And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. |
Jeremiah 17:6 Summary
Jeremiah 17:6 describes what happens when we trust in people or our own strength instead of the Lord - we become weak and unfruitful, like a shrub in the desert. This is because our trust is misplaced, and we are unable to experience the blessings that come from trusting in the Lord (as seen in Jeremiah 17:7 and Deuteronomy 29:19). When we trust in mankind, we can become isolated and barren, like a salt land where no one lives, but when we trust in the Lord, we can thrive and bear fruit, like a tree planted by the waters (Jeremiah 17:8). By trusting in the Lord and seeking His guidance, we can avoid being like a shrub in the desert and instead experience the abundant life He promises (John 10:10).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be like a shrub in the desert in Jeremiah 17:6?
To be like a shrub in the desert means to be weak and unfruitful, unable to thrive or find nourishment, much like a plant struggling to survive in a harsh environment, as described in Jeremiah 17:6, and contrasted with the thriving tree in Jeremiah 17:8.
Why will the person who trusts in mankind not see prosperity, according to Jeremiah 17:6?
The person who trusts in mankind will not see prosperity because their trust is misplaced, and they will be unable to experience the blessings that come from trusting in the Lord, as seen in Jeremiah 17:7 and Deuteronomy 29:19.
What is the significance of dwelling in a salt land where no one lives, as mentioned in Jeremiah 17:6?
Dwelling in a salt land where no one lives symbolizes a life of barrenness and isolation, devoid of spiritual nourishment and fellowship, much like the desolate landscape described in Psalm 107:34, and contrasts with the abundant life promised to those who trust in the Lord, as seen in John 10:10.
How does Jeremiah 17:6 relate to the warning against trusting in mankind in Jeremiah 17:5?
Jeremiah 17:6 serves as a consequence of the warning in Jeremiah 17:5, illustrating the outcome of trusting in mankind rather than the Lord, and highlighting the importance of placing one's trust in God, as emphasized in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be trusting in mankind or my own strength, rather than the Lord, and how can I shift my focus to trusting in Him?
- How can I apply the warning in Jeremiah 17:6 to my own life, and what steps can I take to avoid being like a shrub in the desert?
- In what ways do I feel like I am dwelling in a 'parched place' or a 'salt land', and how can I seek spiritual nourishment and refreshment from the Lord?
- What does it mean for me to 'see prosperity' in my life, and how can I cultivate a heart that is receptive to the Lord's blessings, as described in Jeremiah 17:7-8?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 17:6
For he shall be like the heath in the desert,.... The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "myrice": and so the Latin interpreter of the Targum; but the word that paraphrase makes use of according to R.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 17:6
For 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. Heath - [kª`ar`ar, from `aaraah (H6168), to bare].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
The sum is, he shall not thrive, nor prosper, but be like the heath, by which is meant some barren shrub or tree, about which the various guesses of interpreters (which the reader that is curious may find in the English Annotations) are but uncertainties, and this planted in the wilderness too, which is a barren soil, which tree or plant is never the better for all the moisture that comes from heaven, nor for all the beams of the sun; but stands in a dry and salt place, not inhabited by people. The scope is, to let us know that sinners who depart from God, and do not place their confidence in him in times of danger, but trust in creature aids and assistances, shall miss of these very good things which they might have had if they had expected them from him, from whom alone they could have been obtained.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
Jeremiah 17:6 For 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.Ver. 6. For he shall be like the heath.] Wild myrice, that neither beareth fruit nor seed, and is good for little but to burn or make besoms. See Hebrews 6:8. Bastard tamarisk some call it; others, juniper. But shall inhabit the parched places of the wilderness.] Such shall have no content or satisfaction. Compare Matthew 12:43. The unclean spirit cast out "walks in dry places," &c.; not but that dry and wet is all one with him, but it importeth his extreme restlessness.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
(6) Like the heath in the desert.—The word rendered heath is, literally, bare or naked, and as such is translated by “destitute” in Psalms 102:17. That meaning has accordingly been given to it here by some recent commentators. No picture of desolation could be more complete than that of a man utterly destitute, yet inhabiting the “parched places of the wilderness.” All the older versions, however, including the Targum, and some of the best modern (e.g. Ewald), take the word as describing the “heath” or other like shrubs standing alone in a barren land. A like word with the same meaning is found in Jeremiah 48:6, and stands in Arabic for the “juniper.” Both views are tenable, but the latter, as being a bolder similitude, and balancing the comparison to a “tree planted by the waters” in Jeremiah 17:8, is more after the manner of a poet-prophet. There is something weak in saying “A man shall be like a destitute man.” The word rendered “desert” (arabah) is applied specially to the Jordan valley (sometimes, indeed, to its more fertile parts), and its connection here with the “salt land” points to the wild, barren land of the Jordan as it flows into the Dead Sea (Deuteronomy 29:23). Shall not see when good cometh.—The words describe the yearning that has been so often disappointed that at last, when the brighter day dawns, it is blind to the signs of its approach. It comes too late, as rain falls too late on the dead or withered heath.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
Verse 6. He shall be like the heath in the desert] כערער kearar; or, like a blasted tree, without moisture, parched and withered. Shall not see when good cometh] Shall not be sensible of it: the previous drought having rendered it incapable of absorbing any more vegetable juices. A salt land] Barren; and therefore unfit to be inhabited.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 17:6
6. the heath] mg. a tamarisk. The Hebrew substantive occurs again in Jeremiah 48:9 and means in both cases a juniper tree, probably of the dwarf variety (so Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 358), often cropped by the wild goats of the desert and thus stripped and desolate. In Psalms 102:17 (its only remaining occurrence), it means “destitute,” referring there also to Israel in exile.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 17:6
6. Heath in the desert — The original of “heath” occurs besides only inPsa_102:17, where it is rendered “destitute” man. A similar word in a similar phrase occurs in Jeremiah 48:6.
Sermons on Jeremiah 17:6
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The River of Life by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had about a river of life. The preacher emphasizes that this vision is a prophecy for the Church of the lat |
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Abide in Christ by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time with the Word of God. He highlights how many Christians nowadays spend more time in front of the TV than with |
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The Way of the Righteous and the Way of the Wicked by George Plante | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the topic of entertainment and its impact on Christians. He acknowledges that some people may view entertainment as just a form of enjoyment, |
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Epistle 111 by George Fox | George Fox warns believers to speak plainly and truthfully, allowing their words to reflect the light of Christ within them. He emphasizes that words should be life-giving and root |
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Epistle 252 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of humility, meekness, and purity for those who minister the gospel. He urges ministers to be examples in their conduct and to avoid ungracious |
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Pride and Shame or Humility and Wisdom by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of walking in humility rather than pride to receive God's grace and wisdom. Those who walk in pride end up with shame, as seen in the wicked |