---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 17"
description: "CHAPTER 17   :-. THE JEWS"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/17"
---

CHAPTER 17

. THE JEWS'
INVETERATE LOVE
OF IDOLATRY.
The the *Septuagint* omits
the first four verses, but other *Greek* versions have them.

**1.** The first of the four clauses
relates to the third, the second to the fourth, by alternate
parallelism. The sense is: They are as keen after idols as if their
propensity was "graven with an iron pen () on their hearts," or as if it were sanctioned by a
law "inscribed with a diamond point" on their altars. The
names of their gods used to be written on "the horns of the
altars" ([Acts 17:23](../../../kjv/acts/17/23)). As
the clause "on their hearts" refers to their *inward*
propensity, so "on . . . altars," the *outward*
exhibition of it. Others refer "on the horns of . . . altars"
to their staining them with the blood of victims, in imitation of the
Levitical precept ([Exodus 29:12](../../../kjv/exodus/29/12);
[Leviticus 4:7](../../../kjv/leviticus/4/7); [Leviticus 4:18](../../../kjv/leviticus/4/18)),
but "written . . . graven," would thus be inappropriate.
**table of . . . heart**—which
God intended to be inscribed very differently, namely, with His
truths ([Proverbs 3:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/3); [2 Corinthians 3:3](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/3/3)).
**your**—Though "their"
preceded, He directly addresses them to charge the guilt home to them
in particular.

**2. children remember**—Instead
of forsaking the idolatries of their fathers, they keep them up (). This is given as proof that their sin is "graven upon
. . . altars" ([Jeremiah 17:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/1)),
that is, is not merely temporary. They corrupt their posterity after
them. CASTALIO less
probably translates, "They remember their altars as (fondly as)
they do their children."
**groves**—rather, "images
of Astarte," the goddess of the heavenly hosts, represented as a
sacred tree, such as is seen in the Assyrian sculptures ([2 Kings 21:7](../../../kjv/2-kings/21/7);
[2 Chronicles 24:18](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/24/18)). "Image of the
grove." The *Hebrew* for "grove" is *Asherah,*
that is, Assarak, Astarte, or Ashtaroth.
**by the green trees**—that
is, near them: the sacred trees (idol symbols) of Astarte being
placed in the midst of natural trees: "green trees" is thus
distinguished from "groves," *artificial* trees.
HENDERSON, to avoid taking
the same *Hebrew* particle in the same sentence differently, "by
. . . upon" translates "images of Astarte *on* the
green trees." But it is not probable that images, in the form of
a sacred tree, should be hung *on* trees, rather than *near*
them.

**3. mountain**—Jerusalem, and
especially Zion and the temple.
**in the field**—As
Jerusalem was surrounded by *mountains* (), the sense probably is, Ye rely on your mountainous
position ([Jeremiah 3:23](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/23)), but I will
make "My mountain" to become as if it were *in a plain*
(field), so as to give thy substance an easy prey to the enemy
[CALVIN]. "Field"
may, however, mean *all Judea;* it and "My mountain"
will thus express *the country and its capital.* (GESENIUS
translates, "together with," instead of "in"; as
the *Hebrew* is translated in [Jeremiah 11:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/11/19);
[Hosea 5:6](../../../kjv/hosea/5/6); but this is not
absolutely needed), "the substance" of both of which God
"will give to the spoil."
**thy high places**—corresponding
in parallelism to "My mountain" (compare [Hosea 5:6](../../../kjv/hosea/5/6)), as "all thy borders," to "the field"
(which confirms the view that "field" means *all Judea*).
**for sin**—connected with
high places" in *English Version,* namely, frequented for
sin, that is, for idolatrous sacrifices. But [Hosea 5:6](../../../kjv/hosea/5/6) makes the rendering probable, "I will give thy
substance . . . to . . . spoil . . . *on account of thy sin
throughout all thy borders.*"

**4. even thyself**—rather, "owing
to thyself," that is, by thy own fault ().
**discontinue from**—be
dispossessed of. Not only thy substance, but thyself shall be carried
off to a strange land ([Jeremiah 15:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/15/14)).

**5.** Referring to the Jews'
proneness to rely on Egypt, in its fear of Assyria and Babylon
([Isaiah 31:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/31/1); [Isaiah 31:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/31/3)).
**trusteth**—This word is
emphatic. We may expect help from men, so far as God enables them to
help us, but we must rest our trust in God alone ([Isaiah 31:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/31/3)).

**6. heath**—In [Psalms 102:17](../../../kjv/psalms/102/17);
[Isaiah 32:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/32/11); [Habakkuk 3:9](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/9),
the *Hebrew* is translated, "bare," "naked,"
"destitute"; but as the parallel in [Habakkuk 3:9](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/9) is "tree," some plant must be meant of which this
is the characteristic epithet ([Habakkuk 3:9](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/9), *Margin*), "a naked tree." ROBINSON
translates, "the juniper tree," found in the Arabah or
Great Valley, here called "the desert," south of the Dead
Sea. The "heath" was one of the plants, according to PLINY
(13.21; 16.26), excluded from religious uses, because it has neither
fruit nor seed, and is neither sown nor planted.
**not see . . . good**—
([Job 20:17](../../../kjv/job/20/17)).
**salt land**— ([Job 20:17](../../../kjv/job/20/17)), barren ground.

**7.** ([Psalms 34:8](../../../kjv/psalms/34/8);
[Proverbs 16:20](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/20); [Isaiah 30:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/18)).
Jeremiah first removed the weeds (false trusts), so that there might
be room for the good grain [CALVIN].

**8.** ().
**shall not see**—that is,
feel. Answering to [Jeremiah 17:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/6);
whereas the unbelievers "shall not see (even) when *good*
cometh," the believer "shall not see (so as to be
overwhelmed by it even) when heat (fiery trial) cometh." Trials
shall come upon him as on all, nay, upon him especially ([Jeremiah 17:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/6)); but he shall not sink under them, because the Lord is his
secret strength, just as the "roots spread out by a river"
(or, "water-course") draw hidden support from it ([Jeremiah 17:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/6)).
**careful**—anxious, as one
desponding ([Luke 12:29](../../../kjv/luke/12/29); [1 Peter 5:7](../../../kjv/1-peter/5/7)).
**drought**—literally,
"withholding," namely, of rain ([1 Peter 5:7](../../../kjv/1-peter/5/7)); he here probably alludes to the drought which had
prevailed, but makes it the type of all kinds of distress.

**9. deceitful**—from a root,
"supplanting," "tripping up insidiously by the heel,"
from which Jacob ([Hosea 12:3](../../../kjv/hosea/12/3)) took
his name. In speaking of the Jews' *deceit of heart,* he
appropriately uses a term alluding to their forefather, whose deceit,
but not whose faith, they followed. *His* "supplanting"
was in order to obtain Jehovah's blessing. They plant Jehovah for
"trust in man" ([Hosea 12:3](../../../kjv/hosea/12/3)), and then think to *deceive God,* as if it could
escape His notice, that it is in *man,* not in Him, they trust.
**desperately
wicked**—"incurable" [HORSLEY],
([Micah 1:9](../../../kjv/micah/1/9)). Trust in one's own
heart is as foolish as in our fellow man ([Micah 1:9](../../../kjv/micah/1/9)).

**10.** Lest any should infer from
[Jeremiah 17:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/9), "who can know
it?" that even *the Lord* does not know, and therefore
cannot punish, the hidden treachery of the heart, He says, "I
the Lord search the heart," c. ([1 Chronicles 28:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/28/9)
[Psalms 7:9](../../../kjv/psalms/7/9); [Proverbs 17:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/3);
[Revelation 2:23](../../../kjv/revelation/2/23)).
**even to give**—*and
that* in order that I may give ([Revelation 2:23](../../../kjv/revelation/2/23)).

**11. partridge**— (). *Hebrew, korea,* from a root, "to call,"
alluding to its cry; a name still applied to a bustard by the Arabs.
Its nest is liable, being on the ground, to be trodden under foot, or
robbed by carnivorous animals, notwithstanding all the beautiful
manoeuvres of the parent birds to save the brood. The translation,
"sitteth on eggs *which it has not laid,*" alludes to
the ancient notion that she stole the eggs of other birds and hatched
them as her own; and that the young birds when grown left her for the
true mother. It is not needful to make Scripture allude to an
exploded notion, as if it were true. MAURER
thinks the reference is to Jehoiakim's grasping cupidity (). Probably the sense is more general; as previously He
condemned trust in man ([Jeremiah 17:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/5)),
He now condemns another object of the deceitful hearts' trust,
*unjustly gotten riches* ([Psalms 39:6](../../../kjv/psalms/39/6);
[Psalms 49:16](../../../kjv/psalms/49/16); [Psalms 49:17](../../../kjv/psalms/49/17);
[Psalms 55:23](../../../kjv/psalms/55/23)).
**fool**— ([Proverbs 23:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/23/5);
[Luke 12:20](../../../kjv/luke/12/20)); "their folly"
([Psalms 49:13](../../../kjv/psalms/49/13)). He himself, and
all, shall at last perceive he was not the wise man he thought he
was.

**12. throne**—the temple of
Jerusalem, the throne of Jehovah. Having condemned false objects of
trust, "*high places* for sin" (), and an "arm of flesh," he next sets forth
Jehovah, and *His temple,* which was ever open to the Jews, as
the true object of confidence, and sanctuary to flee to. HENDERSON
makes Jehovah, in [Jeremiah 17:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/13),
the subject, and this verse predicate, "A throne of glory, high
from the beginning, the place of our sanctuary, the hope of Israel is
Jehovah." "Throne" is thus used for Him who sits on
it; compare *thrones* ([Jeremiah 17:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/13)). He is called a "sanctuary" to His people
([Isaiah 8:14](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/14); [Ezekiel 11:16](../../../kjv/ezekiel/11/16)).
So *Syriac* and *Arabic.*

**13. me**—"Jehovah."
Though "Thee" precedes. This sudden transition is usual in
the prophetic style, owing to the prophet's continual realization of
Jehovah's presence.
**all that forsake thee**—
([Psalms 73:27](../../../kjv/psalms/73/27); [Isaiah 1:28](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/28)).
**written in the earth**—in
the dust, that is, shall be consigned to oblivion. So Jesus'
significant writing "on the ground (probably the accusers'
names)" ([John 8:6](../../../kjv/john/8/6)). Names
written in the dust are obliterated by a very slight wind. Their
hopes and celebrity are wholly *in the earth,* not in the
heavenly book of life ([Revelation 13:8](../../../kjv/revelation/13/8);
[Revelation 20:12](../../../kjv/revelation/20/12); [Revelation 20:15](../../../kjv/revelation/20/15)).
The Jews, though boasting that they were the people of God, had no
portion in heaven, no status before God and His angels. Contrast
"written in heaven," that is, in the muster-roll of its
blessed citizens ([Luke 10:20](../../../kjv/luke/10/20)).
Also, contrast "written in a book," and "in the rock
*for ever*" ([Job 19:23](../../../kjv/job/19/23);
[Job 19:24](../../../kjv/job/19/24)).
**living waters**— ([Job 19:24](../../../kjv/job/19/24)).

**14-18.** Prayer of the prophet for
deliverance from the enemies whom he excited by his faithful
denunciations.
**Heal . . . save**—not
only *make me whole* (as to the evils of soul as well as body
which I am exposed to by contact with ungodly foes, ), but *keep me so.*
**my praise**—He whom I
have to praise for past favors, and therefore to whom alone I look
for the time to come.

**15. Where is the word?**—
([Isaiah 5:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/19); [Amos 5:18](../../../kjv/amos/5/18)).
Where is the fulfilment of the threats which thou didst utter as from
God? A characteristic of the last stage of apostasy ([Amos 5:18](../../../kjv/amos/5/18)).

**16.** I have not refused Thy call
of me to be a prophet ([Jonah 1:3](../../../kjv/jonah/1/3)),
however painful to me it was to utter what would be sure to irritate
the hearers ([Jeremiah 1:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/4), c.).
therefore Thou shouldest not forsake me ([Jeremiah 1:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/4), c.).
**to follow thee**—literally,
"after thee" as an under-pastor following Thee, the Chief
Shepherd ([Ecclesiastes 12:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/12/11); [1 Peter 5:4](../../../kjv/1-peter/5/4)).
**neither . . . desired**—I
have not *wished* for the day of calamity, though I foretell it
as about to come on my countrymen; therefore they have no reason for
persecuting me.
**thou knowest**—I appeal
to Thee for the truth of what I assert.
**that which came out of my
lips**—my words ([Deuteronomy 23:23](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/23/23)).
***right*****before
thee**—rather, "was before Thee"; was *known to Thee*—
([Proverbs 5:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/5/21)).

**17. a terror**—namely, by
deserting me: all I fear is Thine abandoning me; if Thou art with me,
I have no fear of evil from enemies.

**18. destroy . . . destruction**—"break
them with a double breach," *Hebrew* (). On "double," see on .

**19-27.** Delivered in the reign of
Jehoiakim, who undid the good effected by Josiah's reformation,
especially as to the observance of the Sabbath [EICHORN].
**gate of . . . children of . .
. people**—The gate next the king's palace, called *the gate of
David,* and *the gate of the people,* from its being the
principal thoroughfare: now the Jaffa gate. It is probably the same
as "the gate of the fountain" at the foot of Zion, near
which were the king's garden and pool ([Jeremiah 39:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/4);
[2 Kings 25:4](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/4); [Nehemiah 2:14](../../../kjv/nehemiah/2/14);
[Nehemiah 3:15](../../../kjv/nehemiah/3/15); [Nehemiah 12:37](../../../kjv/nehemiah/12/37)).

**20. kings**—He begins with the
kings, as they ought to have repressed such a glaring profanation.

**21. Take heed to
yourselves**—literally, "to your souls." MAURER
explains, "as ye love your lives"; a phrase used here to
give the greater weight to the command.
**sabbath**—The
non-observance of it was a chief cause of the captivity, the number
of years of the latter, seventy, being exactly made to agree with the
number of Sabbaths which elapsed during the four hundred ninety years
of their possession of Canaan from Saul to their removal ([Leviticus 26:34](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/34);
[Leviticus 26:35](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/35); [2 Chronicles 36:21](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/36/21)).
On the restoration, therefore, stress was especially laid on Sabbath
observance ([Nehemiah 13:19](../../../kjv/nehemiah/13/19)).
**Jerusalem**—It would have
been scandalous anywhere; but in the capital, *Jerusalem,* it
was an open insult to God. Sabbath-hallowing is intended as a symbol
of holiness in general ([Nehemiah 13:19](../../../kjv/nehemiah/13/19)); therefore much stress is laid on it; the Jews' gross
impiety is manifested in their setting God's will at naught, in the
case of such an easy and positive command.

**19-27.** Delivered in the reign of
Jehoiakim, who undid the good effected by Josiah's reformation,
especially as to the observance of the Sabbath [EICHORN].
**gate of . . . children of . .
. people**—The gate next the king's palace, called *the gate of
David,* and *the gate of the people,* from its being the
principal thoroughfare: now the Jaffa gate. It is probably the same
as "the gate of the fountain" at the foot of Zion, near
which were the king's garden and pool ([Jeremiah 39:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/39/4);
[2 Kings 25:4](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/4); [Nehemiah 2:14](../../../kjv/nehemiah/2/14);
[Nehemiah 3:15](../../../kjv/nehemiah/3/15); [Nehemiah 12:37](../../../kjv/nehemiah/12/37)).

**23.** ([Jeremiah 7:24](../../../kjv/jeremiah/7/24);
[Jeremiah 7:26](../../../kjv/jeremiah/7/26)).

**24.** A part put for the whole,
"If ye keep the Sabbath and *My* other *laws.*"

**25. kings . . . in chariots**—The
kingdom at this time had been brought so low that this promise here
was a special favor.
**remain**—*Hebrew,*
"be inhabited" ([Jeremiah 17:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/6);
[Isaiah 13:20](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/20)).

**26. plain mountains . . . south**—
([Joshua 15:1-4](../../../kjv/joshua/15/1-4)). The
southern border had extended to the river of Egypt, but was now much
curtailed by Egyptian invasions ([2 Chronicles 35:20](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/35/20);
[2 Chronicles 36:3](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/36/3); [2 Chronicles 36:4](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/36/4)).
The *Hebrew* for "south" means *dry;* the arid
desert *south* of Judea is meant. The enumeration of all the
parts of Judea, city, country, plain, hill, and desert, implies that
no longer shall there be aught wanting of the integrity of the Jewish
land ([Zechariah 7:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/7)).
**sacrifices**—As in [Zechariah 7:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/7), one constituent of Judea's prosperity is mentioned,
namely, its *kings* on David's throne, the pledge of God being
its guardian; so in this verse another constituent, namely, its
*priests,* a pledge of God being propitious to it ([Zechariah 7:7](../../../kjv/zechariah/7/7)).

**27. burden . . . in . . . gates . .
. fire in the gates**—retribution answering to the sin. The scene
of their sin shall be the scene of their punishment ([Jeremiah 52:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/52/13);
[2 Kings 25:9](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/9)).

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