Jeremiah 17:17 kjv
Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Jeremiah 17:17 nkjv
Do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom.
Jeremiah 17:17 niv
Do not be a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
Jeremiah 17:17 esv
Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
Jeremiah 17:17 nlt
LORD, don't terrorize me!
You alone are my hope in the day of disaster.
Jeremiah 17 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 1:8 | "Do not be afraid in their presence, for I am with you to rescue you," declares the LORD. | God's promise of presence and rescue |
| Psalm 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? | Trust in God as deliverer |
| Psalm 35:1-3 | Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; stand up and come to my aid. Wield spear and javelin against those who pursue me; say to my soul, "I am your salvation." | Plea for God's intervention against enemies |
| Psalm 119:43 | Do not take the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. | Hope in God's Word |
| Isaiah 41:10 | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | God's assurance of strength and help |
| Isaiah 49:24-26 | Can a warrior snatch the spoil from the mighty, or rescue captives from the tyrant? But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and spoil snatched from the tyrant, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children." | God's commitment to save from oppressors |
| Jeremiah 15:20 | "I have made you a fortified wall of bronze to them; they will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD. | God's promise of protection for Jeremiah |
| Jeremiah 20:11 | But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be greatly dismayed because they have failed, in an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten. | Jeremiah's confidence in God's presence |
| Matthew 10:28 | Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. | Focus on fearing God, not man |
| Romans 8:31 | What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | The power of God's favor |
| 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 | We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. | Facing affliction with perseverance |
| 2 Timothy 4:17-18 | But the Lord stood his ground and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen. | Divine deliverance from peril |
| Hebrews 12:2 | fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. | Endurance through suffering |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is occurring among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. | Rejoicing in suffering |
| Psalm 125:1 | Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but endures forever. | Steadfastness in God |
| Jeremiah 17:18 | May my persecutors be put to shame, O LORD, but not me. May they be terrified, but not me. Bring on them the day of disaster, and crush them with double destruction. | A prayer for vindication and justice |
Jeremiah 17 verses
Jeremiah 17 17 Meaning
This verse is a plea from the prophet Jeremiah to God, seeking deliverance from his persecutors who are causing him distress. It expresses Jeremiah's unwavering trust in God despite intense opposition and suffering.
Jeremiah 17 17 Context
Jeremiah 17 is a chapter rich with theological and societal commentary. The preceding verses (1-18) are a lament and a prayer by Jeremiah concerning the persistent sin of Judah and the resultant suffering he faces. Judah's sin is described as an indelible mark, like writing with an iron pen on a heart, signifying their deep-seated rebellion against God. This verse, Jeremiah 17:17, emerges from Jeremiah's personal anguish and his deep concern for his people's spiritual condition, which has led to their impending judgment by God. Historically, Jeremiah was prophesying during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time of intense pressure and persecution for him from his own people who rejected his prophecies.
Jeremiah 17 17 Word Analysis
- יהוה (YHWH) - "LORD" - The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and active involvement with His people.
- אלי (‘ĕlî) - "my God" - A possessive and intimate term, showing Jeremiah's personal relationship and reliance on God.
- לא-תהי-חַתְחַתִּי (lô’ thihyeh-ḵatḥattî) - "be not a terror to me" / "do not let them terrorize me" - The root חַת (ḥat) conveys the idea of being terrified, crushed, or terrified. Here, it's a plea for divine protection from fear induced by enemies. The causative or declarative sense suggests that God's action or allowance leads to this state.
- כִּי (kî) - "for" / "because" - Introduces the reason or ground for the preceding plea.
- אתה-לי (‘attâ-lî) - "you are to me" - Confirms the foundational reason for his confidence and protection.
- בְּיוֹם-רָעָה (bəyōm-rā‘â) - "in the day of trouble" / "day of evil" - Refers to times of distress, calamity, and the judgment of God.
- וּבְיוֹם-שׁוּאָה (ūḇəyōm-šûwâ) - "and in the day of destruction" - Emphasizes severe calamity and devastation, likely alluding to the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "be not a terror to me": This phrase encapsulates the core of Jeremiah's distress. His enemies sought to instill fear, to break his spirit and silence his message. The plea is not for the absence of opposition, but for the absence of internal fear and discouragement resulting from that opposition.
- "for you are my God": This is the bedrock of Jeremiah's hope. It signifies a fundamental reliance on God's nature and covenant relationship, which transcends the immediate circumstances of persecution. It's an affirmation that his identity and security are found in God, not in the absence of enemies.
- "in the day of trouble and the day of destruction": This highlights the severe and dire context. These "days" represent periods of intense suffering, societal upheaval, and impending judgment, precisely when faith is tested the most.
Jeremiah 17 17 Bonus Section
The concept of "terror" in the original Hebrew (ḥat) carries implications of being crushed, broken, and utterly demoralized. This was not merely physical threat, but a psychological and spiritual warfare aimed at discrediting and silencing the prophet. Jeremiah's lament is relatable to all who have faced significant opposition for their faith or convictions. The parallel prayer in verse 18, asking for his enemies to be put to shame rather than himself, further illustrates the contrast between the sought-after deliverance and the fate of those who oppose God's messenger. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the importance of an abiding, personal relationship with God as the ultimate anchor in times of crisis and persecution.
Jeremiah 17 17 Commentary
Jeremiah's heartfelt plea, "O LORD, do not be a terror to me; you are my hope in the day of evil," underscores the profound personal struggle of a prophet faithfully delivering God's message in the face of intense hostility. His request is not for immunity from suffering, but for divine strength to withstand the terror his persecutors attempt to inflict. He asserts his fundamental trust in God, viewing Him not just as a distant deity, but as his personal "God," the source of his ultimate hope. This hope is grounded in God's character and His presence, especially in times of "trouble" and "destruction," which refers to the impending national judgment and personal persecution. Jeremiah is essentially saying that his security and peace do not depend on the absence of enemies or trials, but on the unwavering presence and salvific power of God, who is his sole refuge when all else crumbles. This verse reflects the common human experience of fear when facing overwhelming opposition, but elevates it by framing it within a covenant relationship, assuring that God's presence provides the ultimate shield against despair.