10. Lest any should infer from Jeremiah 17:9, "who can know it?" that even the Lord does not know, and therefore cannot punish, the hidden treachery of the heart, He says, "I the Lord search the heart," c. (1 Chronicles 28:9 Psalms 7:9; Proverbs 17:3; Revelation 2:23). even to give—and that in order that I may give (Revelation 2:23- :). read more
Judah’s indelible sin and sin’s deceitfulness 17:1-18The next five sections (Jeremiah 17:1-18) continue the theme of Judah’s guilt from the previous chapter. These pericopes have obvious connections with one another, but they were evidently originally separate prophecies. Jeremiah 17:1-4 are particularly ironic. read more
The Old Testament frequently uses "heart" (Heb. leb) to identify the source of a person’s thinking and acting. It describes the root of unconscious as well as conscious motivation.The human heart is deceptive; we may think we know why we do something, but really we may be doing it for another reason. It is naturally incurably sick, really totally depraved, and in need of healing. No one really understands his or her own corrupt heart, nor do we understand why our hearts behave as they... read more
Even though we cannot understand our hearts, the Lord searches them and knows our inner thoughts and motives. "Heart" and "mind" (lit. kidneys, from the Heb. kelayoth, meaning "hidden depths") are not that distinct in Old Testament psychology; they are virtually synonymous here and in many other places. Together these terms cover the range of hidden elements in human character and personality.God gives to each person what he or she actually deserves. He judges on the basis of works because what... read more
1-4. The sin of Judah is indelible. Hence the severity of the punishment.2. Groves] RV ’Asherim,’ wooden pillars, or monuments, set up in honour of Astoreth (Astarte), generally near altars (e.g. Judges 6:25). The Law ordered them to be pulled down (Exodus 34:13). 3. O my mountain in the field] The hill on which Jerusalem is built rises high above the plain. On the other hand, it is lower than the surrounding mountains, hence can be spoken of as a ’valley’ in Jeremiah 21:13. For sin] i.e.... read more
(9) The heart is deceitful . . .—The sequence of ideas seems as follows: If the blessing and the curse are thus so plainly marked, how is it that man chooses the curse and not the blessing, the portion of the “heath in the desert” rather than that of the “tree planted by the waters”? And the answer is found in the inscrutable self-deceit of his nature blinding his perceptions of good and evil.Desperately wicked.—Rather, incurably diseased, as in Jeremiah 15:18; Jeremiah 30:12; Jeremiah 30:15;... read more
(10) According to his ways.—The Hebrew word is in the singular, his way, and the interpolated conjunction “and” is better omitted, so as to leave the last words as an explanation of what is meant by it. Jehovah, who “searches the heart,” answers the question “who can know it?” He does know, and will, in the end, judge with a perfectly righteous judgment. Men should live as in the presence of One to whom all hearts are open. read more
Jeremiah 17:9 PÈre Pacheu quotes the saying of the Comte de Maistre: 'Whatever the conscience of a criminal may be, I know only the heart of an honest man, and it is a wretched and a fearful thing!' A Bad Heart Jeremiah 17:9-10 I wish, firstly, to prove to you the truth of the words 'the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked'; secondly, to remind you that God knows what is within you 'I the Lord search the heart'; and, thirdly, the only remedy that can do you any good, if... read more
CHAPTER IXTHE DROUGHT AND ITS MORAL IMPLICATIONSJeremiah 14:1-22; Jeremiah 15:1-21 (17?)VARIOUS opinions have been expressed about the division of these chapters. They have been cut up into short sections, supposed to be more or less independent of each other; and they have been regarded as constituting a well-organised whole, at least so far as the eighteenth verse of chapter 17. The truth may lie between these extremes. Chapters 14, 15 certainly hang together; for in them the prophet... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 17:9
9. deceitful—from a root, "supplanting," "tripping up insidiously by the heel," from which Jacob (Hosea 12:3) took his name. In speaking of the Jews' deceit of heart, he appropriately uses a term alluding to their forefather, whose deceit, but not whose faith, they followed. His "supplanting" was in order to obtain Jehovah's blessing. They plant Jehovah for "trust in man" (Hosea 12:3- :), and then think to deceive God, as if it could escape His notice, that it is in man, not in Him, they trust.... read more