Jeremiah reckons on Jehovah's protection; he therefore entreats that his God will not bring him to shame by leaving his prophecies unfulfilled. A terror is a weak rendering; a consternation would be better. read more
Be not a terror unto me. It is a common observation how all things are affected by the medium through which we view them. This is true in regard to the natural vision, but yet more true in regard to that which is mental and spiritual. Thus God, whom the prophet speaks of ( Jeremiah 17:13 ) as "the Hope of Israel," the "Fountain of living waters," and as the alone true Healer, he now prays not to be "a terror" unto him. I. GOD IS SO TO THE UNGODLY . All his attributes are... read more
(On this terrible execration, with reference to Jeremiah's character, see the general Introduction.) Destroy them with double destruction . "Double" here means "amply sufficient" (comp. Revelation 18:6 , and see on Jeremiah 16:18 ). read more
In the rest of the prophecy Jeremiah dwells upon the moral faults which had led to Judah’s ruin.Jeremiah 17:6Like the heath - Or, “like a destitute man” Psalms 102:17. The verbs “he shall see” (or fear) and “shall inhabit” plainly show that a man is here meant and not a plant.Jeremiah 17:8The river - Or, “water-course” Isaiah 30:25, made for purposes of irrigation.Shall not see - Or, “shall not fear Jeremiah 17:6.” God’s people feel trouble as much as other people, but they do not fear it... read more
Jeremiah 17:15-18. Behold, they say unto me Scoffing at me, as if I had denounced threatenings in thy name, without any order or direction from thee: Where is the word of the Lord? Like the scoffers, mentioned by St. Peter, 2 Peter 3:4, saying, Where is the promise of his coming? This has been the practice of all wicked men, hardened in their sinful courses, and resolved to go on in them: they put the evil day far from them, and scoff at all denunciations of divine wrath. Let it come... read more
Forthright messages (17:14-27)Jeremiah is still distressed and once more appeals to God for help. His complaint is that the people mock him when they do not see his prophecies come true (14-15). He reminds God that he has done no more than announce the message God has given him. He personally does not wish doom upon the nation. Therefore, he asks God to be his protector against his persecutors (16-18).One of God’s commands to Jeremiah was that he go around the various city gates and warn the... read more
Be not a terror. Compare Jeremiah 1:17 . evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . read more
double. Compare Jeremiah 16:18 , and see note on Isaiah 40:2 . read more
17. a terror—namely, by deserting me: all I fear is Thine abandoning me; if Thou art with me, I have no fear of evil from enemies. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:16-18
The prophet's consciousness of integrity. We may take it that this one question, "Where is the word of Jehovah?" stands for a great deal in the way of taunt, The appeal to God, with which the prophet follows up the mention of this question, shows how much he felt the attacks made upon him. It would be too much to say that he did not expostulate with his enemies upon their injustice; but evidently his great resort was to the God who had sent him. If men perversely attributed to him daring... read more