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Matthew Henry

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 17:8

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 17:8

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 17:8

Verse 8 He then adds a comparison, answerable to that in the former clause, He shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which sends its roots upon, or nigh the river, which shall not see when heat comes. Here the Prophet points out the difference between the true servants of God, who trust in him, and those who are inflated with their own false imaginations, so that they seek safety either from themselves or from others: he had said of the unbelieving, that they are like tamarisks, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-8

The desert shrub and the flourishing tree. I. THE DESERT SHRUB EXEMPLIFIES THE CURSE OF WORLDLY CONFIDENCE . 1. Note the character of worldly confidence. 2. Consider the curse of this worldly confidence. It makes one like a desert shrub. II. THE FLOURISHING TREE EXEMPLIFIES THE BLESSEDNESS OF TRUST IN GOD . 1. Note the character of trust in God. 2. Consider the blessedness of this trust in God. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-8

Trust: human and Divine. The prophet here presents before us a vivid contrast between two types of human character. He does this by the use of suggestive images drawn from the realm of nature, as one accustomed to see the great lessons of man's moral life and destiny reflected in visible forms in the sandy desert and sterile places of the wilderness, and in the fertile valleys and woody banks of the flowing river. The imagery is peculiarly Oriental We can all appreciate it in some measure,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-11

In the higher gnomic or proverbial style. God and man, flesh and spirit, are natural antitheses (comp. Isaiah 31:3 ; Psalms 56:4 ). The prayer of the believer is, "Be thou (O Jehovah) their arm every morning;" not Egypt, not Assyria, not any "arm of flesh." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:7-8

The blessing on the man who trusts in Jehovah. I. MAN 'S CLAIM TO BE RECKONED AS STRONG NEED NOT BE AN EMPTY ONE . He deserves the appellation of גֶּבֶר if only he will set the right way to obtain it. Weak as he appears from the point of view given, when his natural resources are fully opened up and tested, he may nevertheless become strong by the favor of Jehovah to perform the most extraordinary achievements. From one extreme where the strength of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:8

Shall not see ; rather, shall not fear— this is the reading of the Hebrew text, and of the Septuagint, Peshito, and Vulgate. The Authorized Version represents that of the margin, which is conformed to Jeremiah 17:6 , but is against the parallelisms. read more

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