Jer 17:5-8 | JFB | STEP | 5. Referring to the Jews' proneness to rely on Egypt, in its fear of Assyria and Babylon ( , ). trusteth-- This word is emphatic. We may expect help from men, so far as God enables them to help us, but we must rest our trust in God alone ( ).

‏ Jeremiah 17:5-8

5. Referring to the Jews' proneness to rely on Egypt, in its fear of Assyria and Babylon (Is 31:1, 3).

trusteth--This word is emphatic. We may expect help from men, so far as God enables them to help us, but we must rest our trust in God alone (Psa 62:5).

6. heath--In Psa 102:17; Is 32:11; Ha 3:9, the Hebrew is translated, "bare," "naked," "destitute"; but as the parallel in Jr 17:8 is "tree," some plant must be meant of which this is the characteristic epithet (Jr 48:6, Margin), "a naked tree." Robinson translates, "the juniper tree," found in the Arabah or Great Valley, here called "the desert," south of the Dead Sea. The "heath" was one of the plants, according to Pliny (13.21; 16.26), excluded from religious uses, because it has neither fruit nor seed, and is neither sown nor planted.

not see ... good--(Job 20:17).

salt land--(De 29:23), barren ground.

7. (Psa 34:8; Pr 16:20; Is 30:18). Jeremiah first removed the weeds (false trusts), so that there might be room for the good grain [Calvin].

8. (Psa 1:3).

shall not see--that is, feel. Answering to Jr 17:6; whereas the unbelievers "shall not see (even) when good cometh," the believer "shall not see (so as to be overwhelmed by it even) when heat (fiery trial) cometh." Trials shall come upon him as on all, nay, upon him especially (He 12:6); but he shall not sink under them, because the Lord is his secret strength, just as the "roots spread out by a river" (or, "water-course") draw hidden support from it (2Co 4:8-11).

careful--anxious, as one desponding (Lu 12:29; 1Pe 5:7).

drought--literally, "withholding," namely, of rain (Jr 14:1); he here probably alludes to the drought which had prevailed, but makes it the type of all kinds of distress.