Jeremias 17
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 17:1-4
17:1-4 These verses are missing in the Septuagint. SPECIAL TOPIC: SEPTUAGINT 17:1-2 This is an idiomatic way of asserting the unrepentant nature of Judah's idolatry. The three images used are engraved with an iron stylus with a "diamond" (BDB 1038, KB 1562 II) point (i.e. sharp point like a thorn); no way to erase the message (cf. Job 19:24) on the tablet of the heart ‒ the innermost thoughts and personality (cf. Prov. 3:3; 7:3); this was the place that the new covenant would abide (cf. Jer. 31:31-34) on the horns of their altars ‒ in Hebrew rituals this is an allusion to the altar of sacrifice (cf. Exod. 27:2) and/or incense altar (cf. Exod. 30:2) in the temple. "Horns" were a symbol of power. They lifted the sacrifice to YHWH. This was where the innocent, sacrificial blood was smeared (cf. Lev. 16:18). Verse 2 shows that Jeremiah is using "altars" in an idolatrous sense. The fertility gods of Canaan were worshiped on hills, under trees, (cf. Jer. 3:6), or on specially built stone platforms. The intensity of Judah's devotion to Ba'al and Asherah is seen in the phrase "as they remember their children." SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF SACRIFICE SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF INCENSE 17:3 "O mountain of Mine in the countryside" This could refer to the temple. But it was not in the countryside, rather in the capital of Jerusalem. Jeremiah must be alluding to the future, complete destruction of the capital and temple (cf. Jer. 9:11; 26:18; Micah 3:12). What a shocking statement to these Judeans! Even the temple treasures will be taken (cf. Jer. 15:13; 20:5). The alternate interpretation is that this refers to Ba'al worship on the high hills throughout Judah. Both interpretations are possible. However, Ba'al/Asherah platforms did not have horned altars, nor did their worshipers keep "treasures" at the rural sites. The terms "wealth" and "treasure" may refer to their children either killed in invasion offered to Molech SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH 17:3-4 These verses are similar to Jer. 15:13-14. 17:4 Exile is surely coming (cf. Jer. 15:14; 27:12-13) because of Judah's idolatry. YHWH is furious, jealous, and committed to judgment. For "fire" (cf. Jer. 15:14) see SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE. The last line of Jer. 17:4 is hyperbolic. Jeremiah's hearers/readers understood this genre; moderns do not! See D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUS. . .ZEALOUS ▣ "forever" This term must be interpreted in context. Here, it is hyperbole. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios)
Jeremias 17:5-8
17:5-8 This strophe is theologically and idiomatically related to Psalm 1. Here "bless" is BDB 138 (to kneel), but in Psalm 1 it is BDB 80 (to be happy). 17:5 "Thus says the Lord" There are several aspects to this phrase. Jeremiah is speaking YHWH's message, not his own. SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION SPECIAL TOPIC: WAYS OF REVELATION It is Israel's covenant God, YHWH, who speaks. YHWH is first used in Gen. 2:4. YHWH is the God of Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:8), though the Patriarchs called Him El Shaddai (cf. Exod. 6:3). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADDAI YHWH chooses to reveal Himself and His will through both words and actions/events. This revelation was meant to be carried to the whole of mankind through Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind" The word "curse" (BDB 76, KB 91, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) is used in an exclamatory sense in Jer. 11:3; 17:5; 20:14,15; 48:10 [twice]; Deut. 27:15-26. It denotes the opposite of YHWH's blessing. The term "trust" (BDB 105, KB 120, Qal IMPERFECT) means "a sense of security." Judah trusted in political alliances and national armies (cf. Jer. 46:25) instead of their covenant God (i.e. Ps. 118:8-9; 146:3). This VERB "trusts" is common in Jeremiah, used of Judah trusting in different things (cf. Jer. 5:17; 7:14; 12:5; 13:25; 48:7; 49:4), but not in YHWH Himself (cf. Ps. 62:8; 115:9-11; Isa. 26:3-4; 30:15). To trust YHWH brings security and rest. ▣ "heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART. ▣ "whose heart turns away from the Lord" Remember these were covenant people who worshiped regularly at the temple in Jerusalem. Yet, they also worshiped at the local altars of the Canaanite fertility gods (cf. Deut. 11:16; 17:11,17; 29:18-20; 30:17). This was not ignorance but purposeful rebellion by means of religious amalgamation! 17:6 "bush" This word (BDB 792, KB 887) is found only twice in the OT, both in Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 48:6). A similar root is found in Ps. 102:17 and is translated "destitute" (NASB margin, "naked"). The NASB translates it "juniper" in Jer. 48:6. KB translates it as "tamarisk." The UBS Fauna and Flora of the Bible sees it as juniper (p. 131, REB) and does not even list it with the ARTICLE on tamarisk (p. 182). ▣ "prosperity" NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA, REB, Peshitta, LXX "good" "relief" The word (BDB 375 III) means "a good thing," "benefit," or "welfare." In Deut. 28:12 the same root (BDB 373 II) refers to "rain," which makes sense in this context. ▣ "a land of salt" See Deut. 29:23 where this phrase is used of YHWH's judgment on disobedient covenant Israel. 17:7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord" This proverb (BDB 138, KB 159, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) is a recurrent theme of the Psalms (i.e. Ps. 34:8; 40:4; 84:12). It is the theological opposite of "cursed." Both are exclamatory! There are only two kinds of people. those who trust in YHWH (not just the things He gives) ‒ Jer. 17:7 those who trust in humanity (humanism, nationalism) ‒ Jer. 17:5 The results of each are very different (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28; Psalm 1; Matthew 5). SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING (OT)
Jeremias 17:9-11
17:9-11 This is the recurrent message of Scripture after the Fall of Genesis 3 (cf. Gen. 6:5,11,12,13; Rom. 3:9-18). See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND. The imagery of "sinfulness" as "sickness" (BDB 60, cf. Jer. 30:12; Isa. 1:5-6; 17:11; Micah 1:9) is found in the Hebrew concept of abundance/health vs. poverty/sickness (cf. Jer. 17:14; 14:19; Deuteronomy 27-28; Job; Ps. 103:1-5; Isa. 1:5-6; 53:4-6). The booklet that has helped me in this area, written by a charismatic author is Gordon Fee, The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospel. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING 17:9 NASB, NKJV, TEV, REB "deceitful" NRSV, NJB, JPSOA "devious" "stubborn" "deep" This word (BDB 784 I) comes from "heel" or "footprint." It is used of Jacob's birth (cf. Gen. 25:26; 27:36). It is used in Jer. 9:4 and translated "craftily" or "supplanter" (another reference to Jacob's treatment of Esau). 17:10 "I, the Lord, search the heart I test the mind" See full note at Jer. 11:20. ▣ "Even to give to each man according to his ways" YHWH is an ethical god. He created a moral universe. There are consequences to choices! We reap what we sow (cf. Job 34:11,25; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Prov. 12:14; 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 32:19; Ezek. 33:20; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Our lifestyle choices clearly reveal who our Father is (cf. Matt. 7). 17:11 As the rabbinical proverb goes, "a partridge sits on other birds' eggs" (cf. NIV). This may have developed from the large number of eggs that partridges lay. However, when the young hatch and develop, they leave the false parent. Those who succeed by unrighteous means will also be abandoned by their gathered wealth. The bird "partridge" (BDB 896) is discussed in UBS', Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 64. Colors, gems, trees, flowers, and animals of the ANE are often difficult to specify with certainty. Usually, however, the contexts that use the allusions, idioms, and imagery are understandable. SPECIAL TOPIC: WEALTH ▣ "fools" This is the only occurrence of this NOUN (BDB 614) in Jeremiah, though the VERB occurs in Jer. 14:21. This is a common term in Wisdom Literature, but it does occur some in other genres. Deut. 32:6,21 1 Sam. 25:25; 2 Sam. 3:33; 13:13 Isa. 32:5-6 Ezek. 13:3 SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR FOOLISH PEOPLE
Jeremias 17:12-18
17:12-18 Of all the English translations listed at the beginning of each chapter, only NASB sees Jer. 17:12-18 as a separate strophe. All others start a new strophe at Jer. 17:14. This is another of Jeremiah's laments/confessions. Verses 12-14 may be an introduction to Jeremiah's prayer. It seems to be another way to express Jer. 17:10. 17:12 This refers to the temple in Jerusalem. The "Holy of Holies" contained the Ark of the Covenant, where YHWH symbolically dwelt. It symbolized YHWH's covenant presence with Abraham's seed (cf. Jer. 14:21). One day all the earth would come and meet Him here (cf. Jer. 3:17). This list of three descriptions (MT) could refer to YHWH Himself, which fits the context. From Jer. 7, we know that these Judeans had replaced faith in YHWH with faith in the temple, but the temple would be destroyed by Neo-Babylon in 586 B.C. SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 17:13 "O Lord, the hope of Israel" See note at Jer. 14:8. ▣ The Judeans are characterized as: all who forsake (BDB 736, KB 806, Qal PARTICIPLE) You those who turn away from Me (BDB 693, KB 747, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE, Qere reading; UBS Text Project, p. 231, gives this a "B" rating) Notice the consequences of their actions. will be put to shame (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME) will be written down (cf. Jer. 17:1; i.e. in the book of deeds, see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD) These consequences are the result of forsaking (Qal PERFECT, second usage) YHWH, who is described as "the fountain of living water" (cf. Jer. 2:13; Ps. 36:9). ▣ NASB, LXX ". . .on earth will be written down" "Shall be written in the earth" NRSV, NJB, NET "will be registered in the underworld" TEV, REB "They will disappear like names written in the dust" TEV (footnote) "go to the world of the dead" "Shall be doomed men" "shall have their names written in the dust" There seem to be two ways to interpret this phrase. those who reject YHWH will be recorded in the book of deeds those who reject YHWH will be registered in the lists of the dead in Sheol (lit. "in the earth," ארץ [see SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND COUNTRY, EARTH], seen as coming from Ugaritic root for "underworld," see AB, p. 118) SPECIAL TOPIC: WORLD (several terms), I. 17:14 Jeremiah begins his lists of prayer requests to YHWH. heal me ‒ BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal IMPERATIVE and I will be healed ‒ Niphal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense save me ‒ BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil IMPERATIVE and I will be saved ‒ BDB Niphal COHORTATIVE "Healing" is imagery for forgiveness, see note at Jer. 17:9. "Saving" is imagery for physical deliverance. Jeremiah felt the need of strength and assurance in both the spiritual and physical realms. Humans are creatures of both (cf. Gen. 2:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: FORGIVENESS IN THE OT ▣ "For You are my praise" Jeremiah's strength and assurance were in YHWH (cf. Deut. 10:21; Ps. 109:1). There is no other source (cf. Jer. 17:17b; 16:19). 17:15 This is the Judeans' response to Jeremiah's message. YHWH's delay was misinterpreted (cf. Isa. 5:19; Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:3-7). The delay of judgment was so that they might repent and return to YHWH. They accused Jeremiah of being a false prophet (cf. Deut. 13:1-5; 18:20-21), but he was a true prophet (cf. Deut. 18:19)! They will die! ▣ "Let it come now!" This VERB (BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) catches the arrogance and unbelief of these Jerusalemites/Judeans. They do not fear YHWH's spokesperson or YHWH Himself! 17:16 Jeremiah describes his own thoughts, feelings, and actions. I have not hurried away from being a shepherd after You (see textual note below) I have not longed for the woeful day (i.e. judgment day, invasion, exile) my message was Your message (i.e. in/from Your presence) ▣ MT, NASB, NKJV, NJB, JPSOA, NIV "I have not hurried away from being a shepherd after You" Peshitta, NRSV, TEV, REB, NET "Yet I never urged you to send disaster" "I have not tired of following after you" The problem is not the first VERBAL "pressed" (BDB 21, KB 23, Qal PERFECT), but the following PARTICIPLE. MT, רעה, "from a shepherd" ‒ BDB 944, KB 1258, Qal PARTICIPLE (UBS Text Project, p. 237, gives this a "C" rating). The LXX has "following you," which is related to "shepherd." suggested, מרעה, "from evil," from root רעע ‒ BDB 949, KB 1269 (Peshitta). JPSOA footnote has "emendation yields 'urged you to [bring] misfortune'." 17:17 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, Peshitta "Do not be a terror to me" JPSOA, NET "Do not be a cause of dismay to me" "Be not to me a stranger" The NASB reflects the MT. The basic root (BDB 369) can be translated: dismay terror shattered ruin The VERB is used twice in v. 18 and is translated "dismayed" by NASB. In Ps. 88:15, it is translated "terror." Jeremiah was surprised that following YHWH and being His spokesman would cause such internal and external problems! The intimacy that he felt with YHWH is expressed in his questions (i.e. his confessions). If we are not careful, circumstances can blind our hearts and minds to YHWH's presence and promises. There is a difference bewtween God allowing and God sending. This is not the world that God intended it to be, that it one day will be! 17:18 Jeremiah (in typical Eastern cursing language, i.e. Ps. 139:19-22) lists his request against those of his own people who opposed him and his message. let those who persecute me be put to shame ‒ BDB 101, KB 116, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense let them be dismayed ‒ BDB 369, KB 365, Qal ‒ BDB IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense bring on them a day of disaster ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil IMPERATIVE crush them with twofold destruction ‒ BDB 990, KB 1402, Qal IMPERATIVE Jeremiah was in a spiritual/physical struggle for the minds and hearts of the covenant people. YHWH wanted to use them in His eternal redemptive plan for all humans (cf. Jer. 3:17; 4:2; 16:19-21). This type of hyperbolic prophetic poetry seems so violent and aggressive to moderns. But there are falsehoods, spiritual deceptions, satanic alternatives to truth (cf. Eph. 4:14)! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "put to shame" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME ▣ "twofold destruction" This is an idiom which denotes "complete and full" destruction (cf. Isa. 40:2; Jer. 16:18; Rev. 18:6).
Jeremias 17:19-23
17:19-27 YHWH responds to Jeremiah's prayer by focusing on covenant obedience, specifically Sabbath observance, see SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH (OT). Judah would be blessed or cursed based on her obedience (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-29). This one command represented all the Mosaic legislation. The Judeans knew this but YHWH would remind them through Jeremiah's proclamation at a specific gate of the temple used by the king. Their response is recorded in Jer. 17:23 and 27. Verses 24-27 function as a parallel strophe. YHWH wanted to bless (cf. Jer. 17:25-26) Judah so that the world might come to know Him (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW), but they would not (cf. Ezek. 26:22-32). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 17:20 "listen" The term (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE) means to hear so as to do (i.e. Deut. 4:1; 5:1; 6:3,4, see full note at Deut. 6:4 online)! It is repeated in Jer. 17:23, 24 (intensified), 27. This is similar to James 1:23-27. True faith involved heart, head, and hand! SPECIAL TOPIC: LISTEN/HEAR (shema) 17:21 "take heed for yourselves" The MT is literally an idiom, "take heed for the sake of your lives." The VERB (BDB 1036, KB 1581, Niphal IMPERATIVE) denotes careful listening (cf. Deut. 4:9,15,23; 6:12; 8:11; Josh. 23:11). 17:23 "stiffened their necks" See note at Jer. 7:25-26. They were unwilling to hear and respond! SPECIAL TOPIC: STUBBORNNESS (OT)
Jeremias 17:24-27
17:24 "if you listen attentively to Me" The IMPERFECT VERB is intensified by the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root (BDB 1033, KB 1570). Notice the "if. . .then" structure of a conditional covenant. SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 17:25 "chariots" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS ▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios).