Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse contrasts "man" (implying strength) with "flesh" (implying weakness), highlighting that trusting in either—human ability or a mere mortal being—is a profound betrayal that turns the heart from the Lord. This isn't just about seeking help; it's about fundamentally redirecting our deepest confidence away from the divine source of all true strength.
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose kingdom is on the brink of destruction by the Babylonian empire. Despite God's repeated warnings, they are looking to alliances with Egypt and other earthly powers for salvation, rather than repenting and trusting in God. This verse directly condemns this misplaced reliance on human strength and alliances, highlighting it as the core spiritual failing that leads to their impending doom.
Ever feel like you're leaning on something that's just not strong enough? Jeremiah uses a powerful image to describe misplaced trust.
Jeremiah declares a curse on those who 'trust in man and make flesh their strength.'
What is 'Flesh' Here?
'Flesh' isn't just about our physical bodies. In this context, it represents human beings in their frailty, weakness, and mortality. It's about relying on human power, wisdom, or alliances – anything that is temporary and ultimately insufficient.
Why is it Futile?
This isn't to say we can't interact with or even receive help from other people. The issue is where ultimate trust and reliance are placed.
Jeremiah links misplaced trust directly to a spiritual problem. What does it mean for the 'heart' to turn away?
The verse states that the curse falls on those whose 'heart turns away from the LORD.' This isn't just an intellectual error; it's a deep, internal shift.
The Heart's True Allegiance
In Scripture, the 'heart' is often used to describe the core of a person – their will, desires, affections, and motivations. When the heart turns away from the Lord:
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The sovereign, self-existent God of the covenant, who reveals Himself to His people and fulfills His promises.
arur · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A formal pronouncement of judgment or separation from divine favor, often resulting from disobedience or placing trust in creatures rather than the Creator.
batach · Hebrew Verb
To rely upon, lean on, or place confidence in something or someone. In a spiritual sense, it is the act of faith, and when misdirected toward humanity, it becomes idolatry.
basar · Hebrew Noun
Human nature in its frailty, weakness, and mortality, often used in contrast to the eternal, sovereign power of God.
This verse speaks powerfully to Judah's historical context of geopolitical instability, where reliance on shifting foreign powers like Egypt and Babylon led them away from trusting in the Lord. The 'arm of flesh' was their dangerous flirtation with these earthly kingdoms, a choice that ultimately brought divine judgment.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
The powerful Assyrian Empire exerts significant influence over the region, including Judah, leading many to seek alliances or protection from them. This period sets the stage for later reliance on other foreign powers.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Empire Rises
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians defeat the Egyptians at Carchemish, marking the decline of Egyptian power and the ascendancy of Babylon. This shift prompts Judah to re-evaluate its alliances, often looking towards Egypt for support against the rising Babylonian threat.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens to Babylon. This event highlights the growing power of Babylon and the vulnerability of Judah, intensifying the pressure to seek foreign aid.
c. 589-587 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
This Psalm directly contrasts trusting in people, even powerful ones, with the soul's quiet waiting and trust in God alone for salvation and strength.
Isaiah 31:1This passage explicitly condemns relying on Egypt (often called 'flesh' or 'man' in contrast to God) for help, highlighting the folly of seeking strength from human alliances rather than the Lord.
Psalm 146:3This verse offers a strong parallel by warning against putting trust in princes or 'sons of man,' for they cannot save, reinforcing Jeremiah's message about the emptiness of human reliance.
Jeremiah 17:7This verse provides the perfect counterpoint to verse 5, describing the 'blessed' state of the one who trusts in the LORD, directly contrasting the curse pronounced on those who trust in man.
clarkeJeremiah 17:5: "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man - This reprehends their vain confidence in trusting in Egypt, which was too feeble itself to help, and, had it been otherwise, too ill disposed towards them to help them heartily. An arm of flesh is put here for a weak and ineffectual support. And he who, in reference to the salvation of his soul, trusts in an arm…
calvinJeremiah 17:5-6: "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
- Et erit quasi myrica (sic vertunt communiter) in deserto, et non videbit cum veniet bonum (id est, in foecunditas,) et habitabit in siccitatibus in deserto, in terra salsuginis, et quae non habitatur.
The Prophet, I doubt not, prefixed this sentence to many of his discourses, for it was neccssary often to repeat it, as the Jews were so refractory…
The verse contrasts "man" (implying strength) with "flesh" (implying weakness), highlighting that trusting in either—human ability or a mere mortal being—is a profound betrayal that turns the heart from the Lord. This isn't just about seeking help; it's about fundamentally redirecting our deepest confidence away from the divine source of all true strength.
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose kingdom is on the brink of destruction by the Babylonian empire. Despite God's repeated warnings, they are looking to alliances with Egypt and other earthly powers for salvation, rather than repenting and trusting in God. This verse directly condemns this misplaced reliance on human strength and alliances, highlighting it as the core spiritual failing that leads to their impending doom.
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose kingdom is on the brink of destruction by the Babylonian empire. Despite God's repeated warnings, they are looking to alliances with Egypt and other earthly powers for salvation, rather than repenting and trusting in God. This verse directly condemns this misplaced reliance on human strength and alliances, highlighting it as the core spiritual failing that leads to their impending doom.
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After a prolonged siege, Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar. The city is devastated, the Temple is destroyed, and a significant portion of the population is exiled to Babylon, marking a catastrophic end to Judah as an independent kingdom.
c. 582 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar carries out further deportations from Judah, consolidating Babylonian control and scattering the remaining population.
"Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD." — The verse contrasts "man" (implying strength) with "flesh" (implying weakness), highlighting that trusting in either—human ability or a mere mortal being—is a profound betrayal that turns the heart…
