Jeremiah 17 6

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 verses

Jeremiah 17 6 Meaning

This verse graphically illustrates the consequence of placing trust in human strength, wisdom, or resources rather than solely in the Lord. It depicts such a person as a stunted, desolate shrub in the harsh desert, incapable of recognizing or receiving any good when it comes. Their existence is one of constant deprivation, living in scorched, infertile, and uninhabited wastes, symbolizing a life barren of true blessing, devoid of spiritual nourishment, and cut off from the sources of flourishing that God provides. It speaks to a profound spiritual inability to perceive and benefit from divine favor due to misdirected reliance.

Jeremiah 17 6 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 is a pivotal chapter containing strong ethical instructions and prophetic pronouncements regarding faith and obedience. The verses immediately preceding, 17:5-8, form a clear and sharp contrast: a curse upon those who trust in human strength (vv. 5-6) and a blessing upon those who trust in the Lord (vv. 7-8). This specific verse (v. 6) details the desolate fate of the one who withdraws their heart from the Lord to lean on mortal beings, likened to a fragile, rootless desert bush. Historically, Jeremiah prophesied during a period of intense political instability and spiritual apostasy in Judah, as the nation oscillated between alliances with Egypt and Assyria/Babylon, rather than relying on God. This prophecy, therefore, served as a potent warning against such misplacing of trust in the strength of other nations or human leaders, urging Judah back to dependence on the Lord, who is the true source of security and flourishing.

Jeremiah 17 6 Word analysis

• For he shall be like (כִּי־הָיָה - `ki-hayah`): This phrase introduces the justification or explanation for the cursed state described in the preceding verse. The comparative word "like" signals a powerful metaphorical description, illustrating the nature of the consequence. "Shall be" implies an inherent state that results from the person's choice of trust.
• the heath (עַרְעָר - `ar'ar`): Refers to a solitary, stunted, and scrubby desert shrub. The `ar'ar` has a shallow root system, making it highly susceptible to drought and unable to access deeper water sources, unlike a tree. It symbolizes a fragile, struggling, meager existence exposed to harsh elements.
• in the desert (בָּעֲרָבָה - `ba'aravah`): This refers to the specific `aravah` region, a deeply arid and barren wasteland, known for its intense heat and lack of moisture. Its presence intensifies the image of struggle and absence of vital sustenance, emphasizing an inhospitable spiritual environment.
• and shall not see (וְלֹא יִרְאֶה - `ve'lo yir'eh`): Literally "and he shall not see," indicating a spiritual incapacity or blindness. It implies a failure to discern, perceive, or truly understand. This is not just physical sight but a deep-seated spiritual unawareness that prevents recognition of truth or blessing.
• when good comes (כִּי יָבֹא טוֹב - `ki yavo tov`): This highlights that even if blessings, opportunities, or favorable conditions present themselves, the individual cannot perceive, appropriate, or benefit from them. Their disposition or misdirected trust renders them incapable of experiencing the good, severing them from divine favor.
• but shall inhabit (וְשָׁכַן - `ve'shakhan`): Suggests a settled, permanent dwelling, indicating that this desolate state is not fleeting but becomes their ingrained existence. It underscores the enduring nature of their spiritual drought and cursed condition.
• the parched places (שְׁרָבִים - `sherabim`): Denotes intensely hot, scorched areas, often associated with shimmering heat leading to mirages. This imagery evokes a place of false hopes and unfulfilled longings, a perpetual state of spiritual thirst without genuine refreshment.
• in the wilderness (בְּאֶרֶץ מְלֵחָה וְלֹא תֵשֵׁב - `be'eretz melêchah ve'lo teshêv`): The Hebrew text merges this phrase with the subsequent "salt land and not inhabited." This general term for wilderness, `midbar` in a broader sense, combined with "parched places," reinforces a vast, inhospitable, and empty environment.
• in a salt land (בְּאֶרֶץ מְלֵחָה - `be'eretz melêchah`): Describes soil so impregnated with salt that it is utterly infertile, incapable of sustaining any plant life. This serves as a potent biblical symbol of barrenness and divine judgment, exemplified by the destruction of Sodom.
• and not inhabited (וְלֹא תֵשֵׁב - `ve'lo teshêv`): Conveys ultimate desolation, signifying that the land is completely uninhabitable, devoid of both plant and human life. It speaks to extreme isolation and irreversible waste, indicating no potential for renewal or sustenance, a place utterly abandoned.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• he shall be like the heath in the desert: This profound imagery paints a picture of extreme vulnerability and spiritual barrenness. The individual lacks the deep roots and nourishment needed to thrive, remaining exposed and struggling in an environment that offers no sustenance. Their life is characterized by frailty, deprivation, and unproductivity, a direct consequence of trusting in human instead of divine power.
• and shall not see when good comes: This key phrase highlights spiritual discernment, or the lack thereof. It's an inability to perceive or appropriate divine blessings, opportunities, or truths, even when they are present. Their misplaced trust acts as a veil, preventing them from recognizing God's active goodness and preventing them from drawing benefit from it.
• but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness: This phrase illustrates a perpetual existence in a state of spiritual drought, frustration, and emptiness. These "parched places" with their mirages symbolize false hope and illusory comfort, where genuine spiritual refreshment is consistently absent, leaving the individual in continuous spiritual torment and desolation.
• in a salt land and not inhabited: This final, intensified description underscores complete and irreversible desolation, barrenness, and an absolute absence of life. It conveys a state of being utterly cut off from all sources of vitality and community, reflecting a cursed existence without hope of renewal, growth, or true flourishing. It is a symbol of total ruin resulting from persistent rejection of divine dependence.

Jeremiah 17 6 Bonus section

The "heath" (ar'ar) in ancient Near Eastern thought often represented not just a bush but also the impoverished or "naked" one in distress, reinforcing the pitiable state of the person described. This passage connects profoundly to the concept of the "heart" in Jeremiah 17:9, suggesting that a misdirected heart leads to these cursed conditions. The desolate landscapes described are not merely physical; they powerfully symbolize spiritual realities: barrenness of soul, lack of discernment, and alienation from life. The phrase "shall not see when good comes" implies that while natural "good" (e.g., prosperity, opportunities) may pass by, the individual is utterly incapable of discerning God's hand in it or utilizing it for spiritual growth, underscoring a complete severance from divine wisdom and insight. The ultimate state of "not inhabited" extends beyond physical loneliness to a spiritual isolation, separated from the community of God and His sustaining presence. This powerful imagery served as a vivid caution against Judah's political alliances and religious syncretism, which led them away from the Lord.

Jeremiah 17 6 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:6 is a potent depiction of the consequences for those who rely on human power rather than the Almighty. Using the striking metaphor of a "heath in the desert," it describes an individual as a stunted, rootless desert bush, exposed to scorching conditions and devoid of deep moisture. Such a person exhibits a profound spiritual blindness, unable to "see when good comes"; they cannot perceive or benefit from divine blessings, even when available, because their heart is alienated from God, the true source of all good. Their destined "habitation" is not of fertile land, but "parched places" and a "salt land"—areas of futility, illusionary relief, utter barrenness, and desolation. This is not merely a transient misfortune, but a pervasive, unyielding condition reflecting a spiritual death, where all potential for flourishing is choked, symbolizing a life barren of joy, purpose, and lasting fruit. The verse serves as a stark warning to trust only in the ever-flowing, life-giving source which is the Lord.