Jeremiah 17:9

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 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things ,.... This is the source of the idolatry and creature confidence of the Jews, sins which were the cause of their ruin; and though what is here said is particularly applicable to their hearts, yet is in general true of the heart of every man; which is "deceitful", and deceiving; and puts a cheat upon the man himself whose it is: it deceives him with respect to sin; it proposes it to him under the notion of pleasure; it promises him a great deal in it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful - הלב עקב akob halleb , "the heart is supplanting - tortuous - full of windings - insidious;" lying ever at the catch; striving to avail itself of every favorable circumstance to gratify its propensities to pride, ambition, evil desire, and corruption of all kinds. And desperately wicked - הוא ואנש veanush hu , and is wretched, or feeble; distressed beyond all things, in consequence of the wickedness that is in it. I am quite of Mr. Parkhurst's opinion,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 17:9

Verse 9 What is taught here depends on what is gone before; and therefore they ought to be read together. Many lay hold on these words and mutilate them without understanding the design of the Prophet. This is very absurd: for we ought first to see what the prophets had in view, and by what necessity or cause they were led to speak, what was their condition, and then the general doctrine that may be gafilered from their words. If we wist to read the prophets with benefit, we must first consider... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1-27

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 17:9-10

The crocked devices of the human heart, which is characterized as deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked, or rather, desperately sick (see Jeremiah 15:18 , where it is explained by the words, "which refuseth to be healed"). The Septuagint reads this verse differently, "The heart is deep above all things, and it is a man." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:9-10

The evil heart searched and judged. I. THE EVIL OF THE HEART . 1. The most important question concerning a man is as to the state of his heart— his thoughts, affections, intentions. In the heart we find the true man. The outer life is but the clothing and may be the mask of the man. From the heart spring all the actions of life. The character of the fountain determines that of the stream ( Matthew 15:18 , Matthew 15:19 ). 2. The root of the evil of the heart is ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:9-10

Heart mysteries and their Interpreter. The repudiation of his charges by Judah and Jerusalem leads the prophet to advert to the causes of this behavior. They not only declare their innocence when guilty, but pursue after unholy aims on the plea of serving God. How are such ignorance and infatuation produced? The reply is that the natural heart is deceitful and corrupt above everything else. I. THE MYSTERY OF THE HEART . 1. It is a " mystery of iniquity ." The heart... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:9-10

The searching and knowing of the heart. One is reminded here of the oft-quoted piece of advice, "Know thyself." The prophet's assertion places man before us as the victim of self-ignorance, self-confidence, and self-deception. He talks of truth when his mind is full of error, and thus he is prevented from taking the only real way by which he can attain to the knowledge of truth. In the prophet's assertion and question, and the Divine answer given to the question, there is much which upon... read more

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