Jeremiah 17:5 kjv
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 nkjv
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 niv
This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 esv
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 nlt
This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 17:5 | Cursed is the one who trusts in man, | Ps 118:8, Isa 2:22 |
| Jer 17:5 | making flesh his strength, | Jer 2:36, Ps 146:3 |
| Jer 17:5 | whose heart turns away from the Lord. | Heb 3:12, 1 Sam 15:11 |
| Jer 9:5 | They all deceive one another, and none of them speak truth; they have trained their tongues to utter falsehood; they wear themselves out with iniquity. | Rom 3:13 |
| Jer 2:36 | Why do you stray and change your course so often? You will be ashamed of Egypt, as you were ashamed of Assyria. | Ps 106:13 |
| Jer 17:7 | “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, | Ps 2:12, Ps 34:8 |
| Jer 17:13 | O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you will be written in the dust, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water. | John 4:14, John 7:38 |
| Ps 118:8 | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. | Ps 146:3, Prov 3:5 |
| Ps 146:3 | Do not put your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. | Ps 56:11, Isa 31:1 |
| Isa 2:22 | Stop regarding man in whom there is no breath in his nostrils, for of what account is he? | Job 7:7, Ps 144:3 |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! | Jer 42:13 |
| Heb 3:12 | Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil believing heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. | Heb 10:39, Col 1:23 |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Luke 18:15 |
| Prov 3:5 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. | Jer 17:7, Prov 16:20 |
| Ps 62:8 | Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. | Ps 119:154 |
| Ps 56:11 | in God have I put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? | Ps 27:1, Heb 13:6 |
| John 4:14 | but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” | John 7:38, Rev 7:17 |
| 1 Sam 15:11 | "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. | Judges 2:12 |
| Hos 10:13 | You have ploughed wickedness; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own ways, in the multitude of your warriors, | Jer 13:10, Prov 1:31 |
| Rom 11:6 | But if it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. | Gal 3:18 |
Jeremiah 17 verses
Jeremiah 17 5 Meaning
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, making flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
Jeremiah 17 5 Context
Jeremiah 17:1-4 prophesies the indelible sin of Judah, leading to their exile. It states that the sin is inscribed on their hearts and at the corners of their altars. In contrast to the earlier verses, Jeremiah 17:5-8 pronounces a blessing on those who trust in the Lord, offering a stark juxtaposition of trust in God versus trust in man. Historically, this chapter was delivered during a turbulent period in Judah's history, marked by political instability and religious compromise. The people of Judah, facing threats from powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon, often sought alliances and military aid from human leaders and nations rather than relying on divine intervention and faithfulness to God's covenant. Jeremiah's message here addresses this prevalent tendency to depend on outward strength and alliances, contrasting it with the spiritual strength derived from unwavering trust in God. The surrounding context highlights Judah's deep-seated sin of idolatry and unfaithfulness, making the message of trust in the Lord particularly relevant and critical.
Jeremiah 17 5 Word analysis
Cursed (אָרוּר - 'arur): Means under a curse, condemned, or doomed. This is a solemn declaration of divine disapproval and consequence for disobedience or misplaced trust.
is: (is) a simple copula linking the subject and predicate.
the one (גֶּבֶר - geber): Refers to a man, a strong man, or a mighty man. It emphasizes human power and capability.
who: (who) introduces a relative clause defining "the one."
trusts (בָּטַח - bataḥ): To lean upon, to rely on, to have confidence in. This implies placing one's safety, security, and hope in something.
in man (בְּאָדָם - bə'āḏām): Literally "in Adam," but broadly means in mankind, human beings. This signifies reliance on the created rather than the Creator.
making (עָשָׂה - 'āśāh): To make, to do, to appoint. Here, it signifies establishing or appointing something as a source of strength.
flesh (בָּשָׂר - bāśār): Refers to physical substance, flesh and blood, the human body. In a spiritual context, it often represents human weakness, frailty, and limitations, contrasting with the power of the Spirit.
his strength (סוֹמוֹ - śōmō): Means his strength, his power, his support. This highlights where one places their reliance for power and efficacy.
whose (אֲשֶׁר - 'ašer): (whose) introduces another relative clause, referring back to the person.
heart (לֵב - lēḇ): Represents the inner person, the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and volition. It signifies the core of one's being and decision-making.
turns away (סוּר - sur): To turn aside, depart, forsake, or rebel. This indicates a conscious departure from loyalty or allegiance.
from the Lord (מֵיְהוָה - mēyəhôwāh): From Yahweh, the LORD. This specifies the source of the turning away – from God Himself.
Groups of words analysis:
- "Trusts in man, making flesh his strength": This phrase captures the essence of human self-sufficiency and reliance on worldly power, wisdom, or resources, forsaking dependence on God. It emphasizes the fallacy of believing that human capabilities alone are sufficient for security and well-being.
- "Whose heart turns away from the Lord": This highlights the internal and spiritual aspect of the curse. The outward action of trusting in man originates from a heart that has become disloyal and unfaithful to God, the ultimate source of life and truth.
Jeremiah 17 5 Bonus section
The contrast between Jeremiah 17:5 and Jeremiah 17:7 ("But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord...") forms a significant theological parallel in the prophetic literature. It's a recurring theme in the Psalms as well (e.g., Ps 118:8; Ps 146:3). This emphasis on trust highlights the pivotal role of faith in one's relationship with God. The inability of human strength ("flesh") to provide ultimate salvation or security is a consistent message, underlining humanity's fallen state and need for divine intervention. This verse is a timeless reminder that misplaced trust leads to spiritual drought and a turning away from the very source of life. The "flesh" as strength also relates to the New Testament concept of walking by the Spirit rather than by the flesh (Gal 5:16-25).
Jeremiah 17 5 Commentary
Jeremiah 17:5 pronounces a curse upon those who place their ultimate confidence in human beings and worldly strength rather than in God. This verse is a solemn warning against self-reliance and dependence on fleeting human power, whether it be political alliances, military might, or individual capabilities. The term "flesh" signifies the inherent weakness and transience of human resources when separated from divine empowerment. The "heart" represents the core of one's being; when the heart turns away from the Lord, it inevitably seeks validation and security in lesser, earthly means. This deviation leads to a spiritual poverty and a disconnection from the "fountain of living water" (Jer 17:13), ultimately resulting in shame and failure. The blessing promised in verse 7 serves as a direct counterpoint, illustrating that true security and prosperity come from unwavering trust and dependence on God alone. This principle echoes throughout Scripture, reminding believers that all human efforts are ultimately insufficient without God's grace and power.