Jeremiah 17:8 kjv
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 nkjv
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 niv
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:8 esv
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:8 nlt
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 17:7 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord... | Assurance of God's protection |
| Psa 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water... | Prosperous life of the righteous |
| Psa 2:12 | Blessed are all who take refuge in him. | Safety in God |
| Psa 34:8 | Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. | Experiential knowledge of God |
| Psa 37:3 | Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. | Practical faithfulness and God's provision |
| Psa 52:8 | But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. | Olive tree symbolism for faithfulness |
| Psa 92:12-14 | The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age... | Longevity and fruitfulness in old age |
| Psa 112:7 | They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. | Steadfastness in fear |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. | Dependence on God for guidance |
| Prov 14:26 | He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children he will be a refuge. | God as fortress for believers |
| Isa 30:18 | Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him. | God's graciousness to those who wait |
| Isa 44:3-4 | For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will sprout up like well-watered plants, like willows by streams. | Divine blessing bringing flourishing |
| Jer 2:13 | For my people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and have dug for themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that hold no water. | Contrast with unreliable sources |
| Jer 17:5 | Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man... | Contrast with trusting in man |
| Jer 17:11 | Like a partridge that gathers young it did not hatch, so are riches gained by deceit. Eventually, they will be lost, and in the end, they will betray the person who earned them. | Unjust gains are temporary |
| Hos 14:5-7 | I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily, he will take root like a tree in Lebanon. His branches will spread and his beauty will equal that of the olive tree, his fragrance like that of the cedars of Lebanon. ... | Restoration and fruitfulness |
| Matt 7:24-25 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. | Foundation on God's word |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Dependence on Christ for fruitfulness |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. | Manifestation of spiritual fruit |
| Col 2:7 | Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness. | Growth and establishment in Christ |
| 1 Pet 1:24-25 | For “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” | Transience of the flesh vs. God's Word |
Jeremiah 17 verses
Jeremiah 17 8 Meaning
One who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord, will be like a tree firmly planted by water, with roots extending to the river, unhindered by heat or drought, bearing continuous fruit.
Jeremiah 17 8 Context
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophetic indictment of Judah for their persistent sin of idolatry and reliance on human alliances rather than God. Chapter 17 begins by describing the indelible nature of Judah's sin, written on their hearts with a pen of iron. Jeremiah contrasts the curse on those who trust in mere men (v. 5) with the blessing on those who trust in the Lord (v. 7-8). This specific verse (v. 8) vividly illustrates the security and abundant fruitfulness that comes from complete dependence on God. The surrounding context emphasizes the spiritual drought and barrenness that results from turning away from the fountain of living waters (Jer 2:13) and seeking help from broken cisterns (Jer 17:13).
Jeremiah 17 8 Word analysis
Hebrew: The Hebrew word translated as "hope" is "mivtach" (מִבְטָח), signifying trust, reliance, security, confidence, or hope. It conveys a sense of leaning upon something for safety and assurance.
Hebrew: The phrase "by the watercourse" is "al-yǝbal" (על יבל). "Yǝbal" refers to a stream or river, specifically one that is well-supplied and constant, ensuring nourishment.
Hebrew: The word for "root" is "shoreshayv" (שורשיו), the plural form of "shoresh" (שורש), emphasizing a deep and extensive rooting.
Hebrew: "When the heat comes" uses "ki-yǝboh" (כי־יבוא), literally "for it will come." The heat refers to periods of drought, adversity, or trial.
Hebrew: "Nor fear in the year of drought" is "wǝlo'-yiratah bǝshunat-tsamaqon" (ולא תירא בשנת צמאון). "Tsamaqon" denotes drought, aridity, or a severe lack of water, highlighting challenging circumstances.
Hebrew: "Nor shall it cease yielding fruit" is "wǝlo'-tuvil ladir perî" (ולא תפיק לדור פרי). "Ladîr" means to fail, to lack, or to be absent. "Perî" is fruit. This signifies an unbroken cycle of productivity.
Groups of words:
- "He who trusts in the LORD, / and whose hope is in the LORD": This foundational phrase sets up the entire analogy. It’s a statement of absolute, unwavering reliance on God alone, not just for a single need, but as the continuous basis of existence and security.
- "Like a tree planted by water": This establishes the central metaphor. The tree represents the believer, and its placement by the watercourse signifies being in constant proximity to God's life-giving provision and grace.
- "With its roots reaching out toward the stream": This emphasizes active engagement with the source of life. It’s not passive proximity, but a dynamic seeking and drawing of nourishment, ensuring resilience even when conditions are not ideal.
Jeremiah 17 8 Bonus Section
The metaphor of a tree for a righteous person is common in Scripture, highlighting stability, growth, and fruitfulness. This verse directly contrasts with Jeremiah 17:5-6, which describes the curse on those who trust in humans, their hearts turning from the Lord, being like a shrub in the desert that sees no good come. Jeremiah 17:8, therefore, presents the "alternative pathway" – the blessedness of a life founded on absolute trust in God. The promise isn't about never facing challenges, but about being sustained through them by God's inexhaustible provision. This sustains not just existence but continuous, productive spiritual fruitfulness throughout all seasons of life.
Jeremiah 17 8 Commentary
This verse offers a profound spiritual insight into the nature of faith. True faith isn't just a momentary belief but a continuous, active trust rooted in God's promises and presence. The imagery of a tree planted by a constant water source illustrates the believer’s enduring life and fruitfulness when deeply connected to God. Such a person is unthreatened by the trials and difficulties of life (heat and drought) because their sustenance comes from an unshakeable source. This unbroken flourishing signifies spiritual vitality and the production of good works, which are the natural overflow of a life drawing directly from the Lord. It contrasts sharply with those who rely on shifting human strength or worldly possessions, which inevitably wither and fail.