Jeremiah 17:6 kjv
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Jeremiah 17:6 nkjv
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.
Jeremiah 17:6 niv
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
Jeremiah 17:6 esv
He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Jeremiah 17:6 nlt
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.
Jeremiah 17 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 17:5 | Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man... | Old Testament (Foundation) |
| Psa 40:4 | Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust... | Old Testament (Contrast) |
| Psa 118:8 | It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. | Old Testament (Direct Statement) |
| Psa 146:3 | Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no salvation. | Old Testament (Parallel Warning) |
| Isa 2:22 | Stop trusting in man, whose breath is in his nostrils... | Old Testament (Similar Exhortation) |
| Isa 30:2 | Who walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh... | Old Testament (Illustration of misplaced trust) |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help... | Old Testament (Parallel Woe) |
| Isa 31:3 | Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit... | Old Testament (Reasoning) |
| Jer 2:37 | Yea, you shall go forth from him with your hands upon your head: for the Lord has disapproved those in whom you trust... | Old Testament (Consequence of misplaced trust) |
| Jer 7:4 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. | Old Testament (Contrast: Trust in obedience) |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches... | Old Testament (Source of True Glory) |
| Jer 15:5 | For who shall have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Or who shall bemoan you? Or who shall go aside to ask how you are doing? | Old Testament (Lament showing consequence) |
| Jer 48:7 | For because you have put your trust in your works and in your treasures, you shall also be taken... | Old Testament (Application to Nation) |
| Ezek 29:6 | And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. | Old Testament (Illustration of weakness) |
| Prov 3:5 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. | Old Testament (Direct Counsel) |
| Rom 10:11 | For the scripture says, Whoever believes on him shall not be put to shame. | New Testament (Fulfillment) |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise... | New Testament (Contrast: God's wisdom) |
| 1 Cor 1:31 | That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord. | New Testament (Fulfillment) |
| 1 John 5:4 | For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. | New Testament (Source of Victory) |
| Heb 6:18 | That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: | New Testament (Security in God) |
| Gal 3:9 | So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. | New Testament (Blessedness of Faith) |
Jeremiah 17 verses
Jeremiah 17 6 Meaning
Jeremiah 17:6 states that anyone who trusts in man is like a shrub in the desert, suffering from dryness and never seeing prosperity. This signifies spiritual barrenness, lack of vitality, and ultimate failure for those whose hope and confidence are placed in human endeavors, power, or wisdom, rather than in the Lord.
Jeremiah 17 6 Context
Jeremiah 17 is part of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, delivered during a period of great national crisis for Judah. The people were facing the threat of Babylonian invasion due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. In this chapter, Jeremiah contrasts the fate of those who trust in the Lord with those who trust in man. The people of Judah were often looking to foreign alliances (like Egypt) for security instead of relying on God's promises and protection. This verse serves as a stark warning against this reliance on human strength and diplomatic schemes, which are ultimately futile. The surrounding verses (verses 5-8) form a cohesive unit that presents a clear "cursed versus blessed" dichotomy based on where one places their ultimate trust.
Jeremiah 17 6 Word Analysis
- "As" (כַּבְּר֗וּשׁ - ka'bush): This Hebrew word can mean "like" or "as." It introduces a simile, comparing the state of one who trusts in man to something identifiable and stark.
- "a shrub" (עָרוֹ֫עַר - `aro'er): Refers to a thorny, possibly withered, shrub or a solitary tree. Its characteristic is survival in arid, desolate places. It often signifies something small, insignificant, or exposed.
- "in the Arabah" (בָּעֲרָבָ֗ה - ba`aravah): The Arabah is the barren plain south of the Dead Sea, a very dry and inhospitable region. This intensifies the image of desolation and lack of sustenance.
- "and it never sees" (וְלֹא־תִרְאֶ֥ה - welo' tir'eh): This means "and it does not see." The conjunction "and" (
w) connects this observation to the nature of the shrub. The verb "see" (tir'eh) here implies experiencing or enjoying. - "when" (כִּ֗י - ki): This is a causal particle, meaning "for" or "because." It introduces the reason why the shrub is in such a state.
- "good comes" (בֹּ֣א־ט֖וֹב - bo' tov): "Bo'" means "to come" and "tov" means "good." It refers to any arrival or presence of benefit or prosperity.
- "and it dwells" (וּבַצָּחָ֛ה - utzachahah): The Hebrew
uis "and," and "batachah" means "dryness" or "parched land." It emphasizes a state of desolation and severe drought. - "in the wilderness" (בַּצָּחָ֛ה - batzachahah): Used again to reinforce the harsh environment where the shrub lives.
- "in a salt land" (בְּאֶ֥רֶץ־מְלֵחָ֖ה - be'eretz-mela'chah): This phrase specifies the exact nature of the parched land – a salt land, which is incapable of supporting vegetation. Salt lands are known for their extreme salinity, which inhibits plant growth.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis
- "a shrub in the Arabah, and it never sees when good comes": This group depicts extreme privation. The shrub, by its very nature and location, is already vulnerable. The "never seeing good" is the direct consequence of its environment, a state imposed by the lack of God's provision.
- "and dwells in the wilderness in a salt land": This further emphasizes the totality of its barrenness and alienation from any source of life or blessing. The repetition of "parched" (from 'wildnerness') and the addition of "salt land" drive home the point of absolute unsuitability for flourishing. The human equivalent is spiritual desolation.
Jeremiah 17 6 Bonus Section
The imagery of the shrub in the desert is a common prophetic motif. The Hebrew word translated "shrub" (aro'er) can also suggest something desolate or solitary. This emphasizes not just lack of sustenance but also isolation from community and God's people. The contrast with those who "trust in the Lord" and are like a "tree planted by the water" (Jeremiah 17:7-8) is profound. The former is utterly barren and exposed; the latter is deeply rooted, nourished, and fruitful. This verse, therefore, underscores the absolute necessity of making God the sole object of ultimate trust and reliance for all aspects of life. The consequences of misplaced trust are not merely inconvenient but result in a complete failure to thrive, a spiritual death in the eyes of God.
Jeremiah 17 6 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates the futility and destructiveness of placing ultimate trust in human beings, earthly systems, or one's own abilities. Just as a shrub finds itself in a desolate wasteland where life struggles to survive, so the person who trusts in man experiences spiritual barrenness. The desert and the salt land represent a state of spiritual drought, isolation from God's life-giving presence, and an inability to flourish or experience true prosperity, which in biblical terms, is often linked to righteousness and God's favor. True prosperity and enduring hope are found only in dependence upon the Lord, who is the source of all life and sustenance. This dependence leads to spiritual vitality, resilience, and the ability to bear fruit even in difficult circumstances.
Practical Usage Examples
- A student choosing to cheat on an exam instead of trusting in diligent study and God's guidance.
- A business owner relying solely on aggressive, potentially unethical tactics rather than honest work and God's blessing.
- A nation seeking political or military solutions to all its problems, neglecting prayer and obedience to God.
- An individual constantly seeking validation and security from human relationships instead of finding their worth and peace in Christ.