Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 17:17
What does Jeremiah 17:17 mean?
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Jeremiah 17:17
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Jeremiah isn't just asking God not to inflict terror; he's pleading with God not to become a source of terror himself, either by abandoning him or by failing to uphold his message. His deepest fear is that God's presence, which should be a comfort, might become a cause of dread if he feels left alone or unvindered in the face of opposition.
Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is facing intense opposition and ridicule from his people, who are disbelieving his prophecies and persecuting him. He feels abandoned and mocked, questioning his own calling and God's faithfulness in light of the people's rebellion. In this moment of deep distress, he cries out to God, not for the people's destruction, but for God's own presence and protection, which is his only true refuge.
Imagine pouring your heart out, sharing God's message, only to feel abandoned and mocked. Jeremiah faces this, crying out to God not to become a source of terror himself.
Jeremiah's plea, 'Be not a terror to me,' isn't about God causing terror in a malicious way. Instead, it's a desperate cry stemming from the prophet's fear of being left alone.
The Fear of God's Silence
Jeremiah feels the weight of his prophetic calling, and he's facing opposition and ridicule from his people. He fears that if God, who called him and gave him this difficult message, were to withdraw His presence or support, that would be the ultimate terror. It's the dread of spiritual abandonment, of facing disaster without his divine refuge.
God as Protector, Not Threat
The contrast is stark: God is to be his 'refuge in the day of disaster.' Jeremiah is asking God to embody that refuge, to actively protect and support him, rather than, through His absence or silence, becoming the very source of his deepest fear.
We all face 'days of disaster'—times when life throws its worst at us. In these moments, where do we truly place our hope?
Jeremiah’s statement, 'you are my hope in the day of evil,' is a profound declaration of faith in the face of immense suffering. 'Evil' here isn't just minor trouble; it speaks to times of crisis, calamity, and judgment.
Hope Beyond Circumstance
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Jeremiah isn't saying he isn't experiencing disaster. He is. But his hope isn't rooted in the absence of trouble, but in the presence and power of God. Even when surrounded by rebellion and facing personal peril, his ultimate trust is in the Lord.
God: The Ground of Our Hope
This 'hope' isn't a wishful feeling; it’s a deep-seated trust in God's character and promises. It's the confidence that even in the worst days, God is the ultimate source of deliverance, comfort, and security. When everything else crumbles, God remains the stable foundation.
Understand the original words
machseh · Hebrew Noun
A place of shelter, safety, and protection; often refers to God himself as the source of security for those who trust in Him.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of deep distress, calamity, or misfortune, often viewed as judgment or a severe test of faith.
Jeremiah's plea comes during the devastating Babylonian conquest and exile, a time when God's judgment seemed to overwhelm His people. His cry, 'Be not a terror to me,' reflects the profound spiritual crisis of facing disaster while clinging to faith in a God who is also his only refuge.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem and deports many Judeans, including members of the royal family and elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile and sets a tone of impending doom for Judah.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin. Jerusalem's remaining hope dwindles.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, deporting most of the remaining population to Babylon. This is the catastrophic end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 586-539 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Judean people live in exile in Babylon, experiencing profound loss and questioning God's promises. This period shapes their identity and theology.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of the exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This Psalm echoes the sentiment, declaring, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?' highlighting God as the ultimate refuge against any terror.
Psalm 119:114The psalmist directly cries out, 'You are my hiding place and my shield; in your word I hope.' This passage reinforces the idea of God as a protective refuge where hope can be found during difficult times.
Isaiah 41:10This prophetic promise assures, 'fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' It directly addresses the fear of being alone in disaster, pointing to God's presence and help.
Romans 8:31Paul's powerful declaration, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' underscores the ultimate security and refuge believers have in God, making earthly terrors insignificant in comparison.
barnesJeremiah 17:17: "Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil."
A terror - Rather, "a cause of dismay," or consternation Jeremiah 1:17 . By not fulfilling Jeremiah's prediction God Himself seemed to put him to shame.
clarkeJeremiah 17:17: "Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil."
Be not a terror unto me - Do not command me to predict miseries, and abandon me to them and to my enemies.
Jeremiah isn't just asking God not to inflict terror; he's pleading with God not to become a source of terror himself, either by abandoning him or by failing to uphold his message. His deepest fear is that God's presence, which should be a comfort, might become a cause of dread if he feels left alone or unvindered in the face of opposition.
Jeremiah is facing intense opposition and ridicule from his people, who are disbelieving his prophecies and persecuting him. He feels abandoned and mocked, questioning his own calling and God's faithfulness in light of the people's rebellion. In this moment of deep distress, he cries out to God, not for the people's destruction, but for God's own presence and protection, which is his only true refuge.
Jeremiah is facing intense opposition and ridicule from his people, who are disbelieving his prophecies and persecuting him. He feels abandoned and mocked, questioning his own calling and God's faithfulness in light of the people's rebellion. In this moment of deep distress, he cries out to God, not for the people's destruction, but for God's own presence and protection, which is his only true refuge.
"Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster." — Jeremiah isn't just asking God not to inflict terror; he's pleading with God not to become a source of terror himself, either by abandoning him or by failing to uphold his message. His deepest fear…
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Last reviewed October 2026