New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Berean Literal Bible And he shall be like a shrub in the desert plain, and he shall not see when good comes, and he shall dwell in the parched places in the desert, in a salt land without dweller. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible “For he will be like a bush in the desert, And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt that is not inhabited. NASB 1995 “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. NASB 1977 “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. Legacy Standard Bible And he will be like a juniper in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will dwell in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt which is not inhabited. Amplified Bible “For he will be like a shrub in the [parched] desert; And shall not see prosperity when it comes, But shall live in the rocky places of the wilderness, In an uninhabited salt land. Berean Annotated Bible He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Christian Standard Bible He will be like a juniper in the Arabah; he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land where no one lives. Holman Christian Standard Bible He will be like a juniper in the Arabah; he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land where no one lives. American Standard Version 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, a salt land and not inhabited. Contemporary English Version They will dry up like a bush in salty desert soil, where nothing can grow. English Revised Version 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, a salt land and not inhabited. GOD'S WORD® Translation He will be like a bush in the wilderness. He will not see when something good comes. He will live in the dry places in the desert, in a salty land where no one can live. Good News Translation He is like a bush in the desert, which grows in the dry wasteland, on salty ground where nothing else grows. Nothing good ever happens to him. International Standard Version He will be like a bush in the desert, and he won't see when good comes. He will dwell in parched places in the wilderness, a land of salt, without inhabitants. NET Bible They will be like a shrub in the desert. They will not experience good things even when they happen. It will be as though they were growing in the desert, in a salt land where no one can live. New Heart English Bible For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. World English Bible For he will be like a bush in the desert, and will not see when good comes, but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, an uninhabited salt land. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he has been as a naked thing in a desert, "" And does not see when good comes, "" And has inhabited parched places in a wilderness, "" A salt land, and not inhabited. Berean Literal Bible And he shall be like a shrub in the desert plain, and he shall not see when good comes, and he shall dwell in the parched places in the desert, in a salt land without dweller. Young's Literal Translation And he hath been as a naked thing in a desert, And doth not see when good cometh, And hath inhabited parched places in a wilderness, A salt land, and not inhabited. Smith's Literal Translation And he was as ruins in the sterile region, and he shall not see when good shall come; he inherited the arid places in the desert, a salt land, and it shall not be inhabited. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come: but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited. Catholic Public Domain Version For he will be like a saltcedar tree in the desert. And he will not perceive it, when what is good has arrived. Instead, he will live in dryness, in a desert, in a land of salt, which is uninhabitable. New American Bible He is like a barren bush in the wasteland that enjoys no change of season, But stands in lava beds in the wilderness, a land, salty and uninhabited. New Revised Standard Version They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor he shall be like a plant in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness in a salt land not inhabited. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He shall be as a root in the plain, and he shall not see when good will come, and shall dwell in a cavern in the wilderness in the earth, a salt pit that is uninhabited OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For he shall be like a tamarisk in the desert, And shall not see when good cometh; But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, A salt land and not inhabited. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he shall be as the wild tamarisk in the desert: he shall not see when good comes; but he shall dwell in barren places, and in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Sin and Punishment of Judah…5This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. 6He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 7But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.… Cross References He will be like a shrub in the desert; Jeremiah 48:6 ‘Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper in the desert.’ Ezekiel 19:13-14 Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land. / Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.” Psalm 102:6-7 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. / I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop. he will not see when prosperity comes. Job 20:17 He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. Psalm 34:12-14 Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? / Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. / Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-12 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. / He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. / For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. Jeremiah 2:6 They did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and darkness, a land where no one travels and no one lives?’ Isaiah 32:2 Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. in a salt land where no one lives. Job 39:6 I made the wilderness his home and the salt flats his dwelling. Deuteronomy 29:23 All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger. Psalm 107:34 and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers. Psalm 1:4 Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. Psalm 92:7 that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 44:9-11 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. Treasury of Scripture For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. like. Jeremiah 48:6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness. Job 8:11-13 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? … Job 15:30-34 He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away… and shall. 2 Kings 7:1,19,20 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria… John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. a salt. Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. Ezekiel 47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. Jump to Previous Brushwood Bush Desert Dry Dwell Good Heath Inhabit Inhabitant Inhabited Live Naked Parched Places Prosperity Salt Shrub Stony Tamarisk Uninhabited Unpeopled Waste Wastelands Wastes WildernessJump to Next Brushwood Bush Desert Dry Dwell Good Heath Inhabit Inhabitant Inhabited Live Naked Parched Places Prosperity Salt Shrub Stony Tamarisk Uninhabited Unpeopled Waste Wastelands Wastes WildernessJeremiah 17 1. The captivity of Judah for her sin.5. Trust in man is cursed; 7. in God is blessed. 9. The deceitful heart cannot deceive God. 12. The salvation of God. 15. The prophet complains of the mockers of his prophecy. 19. He is sent to renew the covenant in hallowing the Sabbath. He will be like a shrub in the desert; The man who turns from the Lord and depends on human strength resembles a desert shrub—alive, yet stunted, exposed, and unable to flourish in barren ground. His condition stands opposite that of the one who trusts in the Lord. Jer 48:6 Flee! Run for your lives! Become like a juniper… he will not see when prosperity comes. Though God’s goodness may be near, he lacks the spiritual discernment to recognize it or receive its benefit. Reliance on man leaves him unable to enjoy the blessings God provides. Job 20:17 He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers… He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, His chosen confidence leads to spiritual dryness, like the wilderness where Israel endured hardship because of unbelief and disobedience. Apart from God’s provision, there is no lasting nourishment or security. Psa 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness… in a salt land where no one lives. The image recalls lands made desolate under divine judgment, incapable of sustaining life. Trust in human strength results in isolation, fruitlessness, and separation from the life found in fellowship with God. Job 39:6 I made the wilderness his home and the salt flats…… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, often warned by Jeremiah about impending judgment due to their disobedience to God. 3. Desert A barren, dry place symbolizing spiritual desolation and lack of life. 4. Salt Land A metaphor for a place of barrenness and unfruitfulness, often used to describe judgment or curse. 5. Shrub Represents a person who is spiritually dry and disconnected from God, lacking the nourishment that comes from faith and trust in Him. Teaching Points Spiritual BarrennessJust as a shrub in the desert lacks water, a person who trusts in human strength rather than God will experience spiritual dryness. The Danger of Self-Reliance Relying on our own understanding and strength leads to a life devoid of God's blessings, much like dwelling in a salt land. The Importance of Trusting God Trusting in God brings spiritual prosperity and life, contrasting the desolation of those who turn away from Him. Recognizing True Prosperity True prosperity is not material wealth but spiritual richness and fulfillment found in a relationship with God. Living in Community The shrub in the desert is isolated; believers are called to live in community, supporting and encouraging one another in faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 17:6?2. How does Jeremiah 17:6 describe the consequences of trusting in human strength? 3. What can we learn about spiritual barrenness from Jeremiah 17:6? 4. How does Jeremiah 17:6 connect with Psalm 1:4 about the ungodly? 5. In what ways can we avoid becoming like the "bush in the desert"? 6. How can Jeremiah 17:6 guide us in placing trust solely in God? 7. What does Jeremiah 17:6 reveal about trusting in human strength versus divine reliance? 8. How does Jeremiah 17:6 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? 9. What historical context influenced the message of Jeremiah 17:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 17? (6) Like the heath in the desert.--The word rendered heath is, literally, bare or naked, and as such is translated by "destitute" in Psalm 102:17. That meaning has accordingly been given to it here by some recent commentators. No picture of desolation could be more complete than that of a man utterly destitute, yet inhabiting the "parched places of the wilderness." All the older versions, however, including the Targum, and some of the best modern (e.g. Ewald), take the word as describing the "heath" or other like shrubs standing alone in a barren land. A like word with the same meaning is found in Jeremiah 48:6, and stands in Arabic for the "juniper." Both views are tenable, but the latter, as being a bolder similitude, and balancing the comparison to a "tree planted by the waters" in Jeremiah 17:8, is more after the manner of a poet-prophet. There is something weak in saying "A man shall be like a destitute man." The word rendered "desert" (arabah) is applied specially to the Jordan valley (sometimes, indeed, to its more fertile parts), and its connection here with the "salt land" points to the wild, barren land of the Jordan as it flows into the Dead Sea (Deuteronomy 29:23). Shall not see when good cometh.--The words describe the yearning that has been so often disappointed that at last, when the brighter day dawns, it is blind to the signs of its approach. It comes too late, as rain falls too late on the dead or withered heath. Verse 6. - Like the heath in the desert; as forlorn as some well-known desert plant. But which plant? St. Jerome explains, "Et erit quasi myrice ['tamarisk'], quae Hebraice dicitur Aroer (?) sire, at interpretatus est Syrus, lignum infructuosum." The versions agree in supposing the comparison to be to a plant; and a very similar word in Arabic (ghargar) means the mountain juniper; Tristram, the dwarf juniper. Most, however, take the word to be an adjective equivalent to "destitute." Dr. Thomson tells a story of a poor destitute woman he found in the desert (comp. Jeremiah 48:6 - the form there is Aroer, here it is 'ar'ar; Psalm 102:18). Shall not see; i.e. shall not perceive, or feel any evil consequences (comp. Isaiah 44:16, "I have seen the fire," equivalent to "feel the flame"). A salt land; i.e. one entirely barren (comp. Deuteronomy 29:23). Jeremiah 17:6 warns that trusting in mankind and turning from the LORD condemns a person to spiritual barrenness: fragile like a desert shrub, blind to God’s goodness, stuck in relentless dryness, and stranded in lifeless isolation. The verse presses us to anchor our confidence in God alone, for only He can transform wastelands into well-watered gardens.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He will beוְהָיָה֙ (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be like a shrub כְּעַרְעָ֣ר (kə·‘ar·‘ār) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6176: (probably a tree or bush) perhaps juniper in the desert; בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה (bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee he will not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no see יִרְאֶ֖ה (yir·’eh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see when כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction prosperity ט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good comes. יָב֣וֹא (yā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go He will dwell וְשָׁכַ֤ן (wə·šā·ḵan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell in the parched places חֲרֵרִים֙ (ḥă·rê·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2788: A parched place of the desert, בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech in a salt מְלֵחָ֖ה (mə·lê·ḥāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4420: Saltiness, barrenness land אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land where no וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no one lives. תֵשֵֽׁב׃ (ṯê·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry Additonal Resources Jeremiah 17:6 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 17:6 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 17:6 Bible.com Jeremiah 17:6 NIV |
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