Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-11

It is excellent doctrine that is preached in these verses, and of general concern and use to us all, and it does not appear to have any particular reference to the present state of Judah and Jerusalem. The prophet's sermons were not all prophetical, but some of them practical; yet this discourse, which probably we have here only the heads of, would be of singular use to them by way of caution not to misplace their confidence in the day of their distress. Let us all learn what we are taught... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5

Thus saith the Lord ,.... Here begins a new discourse, or part of one; or, however, another cause or reason of the ruin and destruction of the Jews is suggested; namely, their trust in man, or confidence in the creature, which is resented and condemned: cursed be the man that trusteth in man ; as the Jews did in the Egyptians and Assyrians; see Jeremiah 2:36 , and in Abraham their father, and in being his seed, as they did in Christ's time; and which was trusting in the flesh; and as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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. Hai, mentioned by Kimchi, signifies something that is thorny without, and eatable within; but this is not likely to be intended here. The Septuagint version renders it, "wild myrice"; it seems to be the same that is called "erice", or "ling", and "heath"; which delights to grow in wild and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:7

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord ,.... In the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, in Christ the essential Word of God; see Psalm 2:12 who have a spiritual knowledge of him, and so trust in him, Psalm 9:10 who have seen the vanity and emptiness of all other objects of trust, there being no salvation in them, only in him; who betake themselves to him as their only refuge; lay hold, rest, and rely upon him, as their Saviour; commit their all unto him; trust him with all their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters ,.... Not as a "heath or shrub", but as a "tree", a green olive tree, a palm tree, a cedar in Lebanon, a fruitful flourishing tree; and he is one that really is a tree of righteousness, that is filled with the fruits of righteousness; and not like one of the trees of the wood, that grows wild, or as a wild olive tree, but as one "planted" in a garden, vineyard, or field; and is one that is planted in Christ, in the likeness of his death and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:5

Cursed be the man that trusteth in man - This reprehends their vain confidence in trusting in Egypt, which was too feeble itself to help, and, had it been otherwise, too ill disposed towards them to help them heartily. An arm of flesh is put here for a weak and ineffectual support. And he who, in reference to the salvation of his soul, trusts in an arm of flesh - in himself or others, or in any thing he has done or suffered, will inherit a curse instead of a blessing. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:6

Be 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:8

A s a tree planted by the waters - Which is sufficiently supplied with moisture, though the heat be intense, and there be no rain; for the roots being spread out by the river, they absorb from it all the moisture requisite for the flourishing vegetation of the tree. Shall not see when heat cometh - Shall not feel any damage by drought, for the reason already assigned. It shall be strong and vigorous, its leaf always green; and shall produce plenty of fruit in its season. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:5

Verse 5 The Prophet, I doubt not, prefixed this sentence to many of his discourses, for it was neccssary often to repeat it, as the Jews were so refractory in their minds. We have already seen how sharply he inveighed against their false confidence: but it was necessary to lay down this truth. He then wrote once for all what he had often said. And this deserves to be especially observed, for we shall not sufficiently understand how needful this truth was, unless we consider the circumstances:... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:6

Verse 6 He adds a similitude for the purpose of confirming his doctrine, He shall be like a tamarisk, or a juniper, as some render it. The word ערער, oror, means a copse. But the Jews themselves are not agreed; some think it to be the juniper, and others the tamarisk; but we may hold it as certain that it was a useless shrub, not fruit-bearing for those Jews are mistaken, in my judgment, who consider it to be the juniper, for some fruit grows on branches of that. It was a shrub or a tree, as I... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:6

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