---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Jeremiah 17:1. The sin of Judah — Idolatry. Is written with a pen of iron — It is deeply and indelibly written in their heart, and shall be as indel"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/jeremiah/17"
---

Verse [Jeremiah 17:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/1). ***The sin of Judah*** — Idolatry.
Is ***written with a pen of iron*** — It is deeply and indelibly written in their *heart*, and shall be as indelibly written in their *punishment*. Writing with the *point of a diamond* must refer to *glass*, or some *vitrified* substance, as it is distinguished here from engraving with a *steel burine*, or *graver*. Their altars show what the deities are which they worship. There may be reference here to the different methods of recording events in those days: -
1. A pen or stile of iron, for engraving on lead or wood.
2. A point of a diamond, for writing on vitreous substances.
3. Writing on tables of brass or copper.
4. Writing on the horns of the altars the names of the deities worshipped there. This is probable.
In several parts of India, and all through Ceylon, an *iron* or *steel pen* is used universally; with these the natives form the letters by incisions on the outer rind of the palm leaf. Books written in this way are very durable. This pen is *broad* at the top, has a very *fine sharp point*, and is *sharp* at *one side* as a knife, to shave and prepare the palm leaf. A pen of this description now lies before me.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/2). ***Whilst their children remember*** — Even the rising generation have their *imagination* stocked with *idol images*, and their *memories* with the frantic rites and ceremonies which they saw their parents observe in this abominable worship.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:3](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/3). ***O my mountain in the field*** — The prophet here addresses the *land of Judea*, which was a *mountainous* country, [Deuteronomy 3:25](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/25); but *Jerusalem* itself may be meant, which is partly built upon *hills* which, like itself, are elevated above the rest of the country.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:5](../../../kjv/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.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/6). ***He 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*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/8). ***As 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.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/9). ***The heart*****is*****deceitful*** — עקב הלב *akob halleb*, "the heart is supplanting - tortuous - full of windings - insidious;" lying ever at the catch; striving to avail itself of every favourable circumstance to gratify its propensities to pride, ambition, evil desire, and corruption of all kinds.
***And desperately wicked*** — ואנש הוא *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, that this word is here badly translated as אנש *anash* is never used in Scripture to denote *wickedness* of any kind. My old MS. Bible translates thus: - *Schrewid is the herte of a man: and unserchable:* *who schal knowen it*?
***Who can know it?*** — It even hides itself from itself; so that its owner does not know it. A corrupt heart is the worst enemy the fallen creature can have; it is full of evil devices, - of deceit, of folly, and abomination, and its owner knows not what is in him till it boils over, and is often past remedy before the evil is perceived. Therefore trust not in man, whose purposes are continually changing, and who is actuated only by motives of *self-interest*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:10](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/10). ***I the Lord search the heart*** — The Lord is called by his apostles, [Acts 1:24](../../../kjv/acts/1/24), Καρδιογνωστης, *the Knower of the heart*. To him alone can this epithet be applied; and it is from him alone that we can derive that *instruction* by which we can in any measure *know ourselves*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/11). ***As the partridge*** — קרא *kore*. It is very likely that this was a bird different from our partridge. The text Dr. *Blayney* translates thus: -
***And at his end shall be a fool.*** — Shall be reputed as such. He was a fool all the way through; he lost his soul to get wealth, and this wealth he never enjoyed. To him also are applicable those strong words of the poet: -
"O cursed lust of gold! when for *thy* sake
The wretch throws up his interest in *both worlds*.
First *starved* in *this*, then *damned* in *that to come*."
BLAIR.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/12). ***A glorious high throne*** — As he is *cursed* who trusts in man, so he is *blessed* who trusts in GOD. He is here represented as on a throne in his temple; to him in the *means of grace* all should resort. He is the support, and a *glorious support*, of all them that trust in him.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/13). ***Written in the earth*** — They shall never come to true honour. Their names shall be written in the dust; and the first wind that blows over it shall mar every letter, and render it illegible.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/14). ***Heal me - and I shall be healed*** — That is, I shall be *thoroughly* healed, and *effectually* saved, if thou undertake for me.
***Thou*****art*****my praise.*** — The whole glory of the work of salvation belongs to thee alone.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/15). ***Where*****is*****the word of the Lord?*** — Where is the accomplishment of his *threatenings*? Thou hast said that the city and the temple should both be destroyed. No such events have yet taken place. But they did take place, and every tittle of the menace was strictly fulfilled.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/16). ***I have not hastened from*****being*****a pastor*** — Dr. *Blayney* translates thus: "But I have not been in haste to outrun thy guidance." I was obliged to utter thy prediction; but I have not hastened the evil day. For the credit of my prophecy I have not desired the calamity to come speedily; I have rather pleaded for *respite*. I have followed thy steps, and proclaimed thy truth. I did not desire to be a prophet; but thou hast commanded, and I obeyed.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/17). ***Be not a terror unto me*** — Do not command me to predict miseries, and abandon me to them and to my enemies.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/18). ***Let them be confounded*** — They shall be confounded. These words are to be understood as simple *predictions*, rather than *prayers*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/19). ***The gate of the children of the people*** — I suppose the most *public gate* is meant; that through which there was the greatest thoroughfare.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:20](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/20). ***Ye kings of Judah, and all Judah*** — This last clause is wanting in eight of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS., in the *Arabic*, and some copies of the *Septuagint*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/21). ***Take heed to yourselves and bear no burden*** — From this and the following verses we find the ruin of the Jews attributed to the breach of the Sabbath; as this led to a neglect of sacrifice, the ordinances of religion, and all public worship, so it necessarily brought with it all immorality. This *breach* of the *Sabbath* was that which let in upon them all the *waters of God's* *wrath*.

Verse [Jeremiah 17:24](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/24). ***If ye diligently hearken unto me*** — So we find that though their destruction was *positively* threatened, yet still there was an unexpressed proviso that, *if they did return to the* *Lord*, the calamities should be averted, and a succession of princes would have been continued on the throne of David, [Jeremiah 17:25](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/25); [Jeremiah 17:26](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/26).

Verse [Jeremiah 17:27](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/27). ***But if ye will not hearken*** — Then their sin lay at their own door. How fully were they warned; and how basely did they reject the counsel of God against themselves!

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