Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 17

Verse 1

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

your. One MS. (Harley, 5720, British Museum), quotes other MSS. as reading "their" (vol, 240b). So in two early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate.

Verse 2

children = sons.

groves = Asherim (plural) See App-42 .

the green trees. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "by every green tree".

upon. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "and upon".

Verse 3

mountain in the field. Figure of speech Periphrasis , put for Jerusalem. Compare "rock of the plain" (Jeremiah 21:13 ).

I will give. By Figure of speech Hyperbaton , these words come at the end of the sentence, to call attention to them.

for sin = in sin: i.e. as a punishment for sin.

Verse 4

kindled a fire. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:22 ). Compare Jeremiah 15:14 .

burn. Compare Isaiah 33:14 .

for ever. Hebrew. 'olam. See App-150 .

Verse 5

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Cursed, &c. Note the Alternation above.

the man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

trusteth = conndeth. Heb batah. App-69 .

Verse 6

in. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this word "in" in the text.

Verse 7

hope = confidence. Hebrew. batah, as in the preceding line. Not the same word as in verses: Jeremiah 17:13 , Jeremiah 17:17 .

Verse 8

as a tree. Reference to an earlier book (Psalms 1:1-3 ).

river = stream. Hebrew. yubal , from yabal , to flow.

Verse 9

deceitful = crooked. Referring to the old nature of the natural man. desperately wicked = sick unto death = it [is] sick unto death: i.e. it [is] incurable.

who can know it? Figure of speech Erotesis , for emphasis.

Verse 10

I the LORD. Quoted in Romans 8:27 . Revelation 2:23 .

heart. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the mind, or intellect.

reins. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the thoughts, or affections.

even to give = giving. But some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint reads, "to give", or "that He may give", and Vulgate, "who gives".

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

ways. Hebrew text reads "way" (singular); but some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Hebrew text margin, read "ways" (plural)

and. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.

fruit of his doings. Compare Jeremiah 6:19 ; Jeremiah 32:19 .

Verse 11

days = day. But some codices, with one early printed edition, read "days", as Authorized Version. Compare Luke 12:20 .

Verse 13

the Hope of Israel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for Jehovah, in Whom Israel hoped.

Verse 14

Thou art my praise. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:21 ).

Verse 15

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Where . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 16

woeful. Same word as "desperately wicked" (in Jeremiah 17:9 ) = incurable.

right. Omit.

Verse 17

Be not a terror. Compare Jeremiah 1:17 .

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 18

double. Compare Jeremiah 16:18 , and see note on Isaiah 40:2 .

Verse 19

the gate, &c. Probably the main entrance to the Courts of the Temple. See plan, App-68 .

Verse 21

yourselves = your souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

bear no burden. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:8 ; Exodus 23:12 ; Exodus 31:13 ). Compare Nehemiah 13:15-19 .

Verse 22

as = according as.

Verse 23

obeyed = hearkened.

Verse 25

horses. Some codices read "their horses".

men. Hebrew. 'Ish .

Verse 26

the plain. Called Shephelah = Philistia, between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea.

mountains = the central land.

the south = the Negeb. See notes on Genesis 12:9 ; Genesis 13:1 .Deuteronomy 1:7 . Psalms 126:4 .

bringing burnt offerings, &c. Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 1:1 , Leviticus 1:2 , &c.

meat = meal. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:1 ). App-92 .

incense = frankincense.

Verse 27

kindle a fire, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:22 ), App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 21:14 .Lamentations 4:11 .