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)
The verse highlights a crucial connection: trusting in human strength ("man" and "flesh") isn't just a mistake; it's inherently linked to turning your heart away from God. It's not just about seeking help elsewhere, but about God being displaced as the ultimate source of trust and devotion.
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)
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose nation is facing imminent destruction from powerful empires like Babylon. In the preceding verses, he has described the deep-seated sinfulness of Judah, noting their idolatry and reliance on their own strategies rather than on God. This verse, therefore, directly confronts their misguided confidence in human alliances and political maneuvering, contrasting it sharply with true faithfulness to the Lord, which is further developed in the verses that follow.
Ever feel like you're trying to serve two masters? Jeremiah lays bare the stark reality of placing ultimate trust in anything or anyone other than God.
Jeremiah 17:5 hits us with a bold declaration: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.' The prophet isn't just talking about a little oopsie; he's pointing to a fundamental spiritual misalignment.
'Flesh' as Weakness: The term 'flesh' here isn't just about our physical bodies. It represents humanity in its weakness, frailty, and mortality – everything that is temporary and prone to failure. When Jeremiah says 'makes flesh his strength,' he's highlighting the foolishness of leaning on something inherently unreliable for your ultimate security.
The Heart's True Allegiance: The core issue is where our heart is directed. 'Whose heart turns away from the LORD' isn't about outward actions alone. It's about the inner disposition, the very center of our desires and confidence. When we trust in human schemes, alliances, or even our own abilities, our hearts are subtly, yet decisively, drifting away from the God who alone is our true strength and refuge.
This isn't a condemnation of seeking help from others. It's a warning against making anything created our ultimate source of strength, to the neglect of the Creator.
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What does it really mean to be 'cursed'? Jeremiah uses a powerful image to show the devastating outcome of placing our ultimate trust in anything but God.
The word 'cursed' (Hebrew: arur) in Jeremiah 17:5 isn't just a mild disapproval; it's a solemn declaration of divine judgment and separation from blessing. It signifies a state of being under God's displeasure, leading to ruin and unfruitfulness.
The Opposite of Blessing: This curse stands in direct contrast to the blessing promised to those who trust in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7). While one path leads to flourishing and steadfastness, the other leads to desolation and barrenness.
Consequences of Misplaced Trust: The commentary highlights that trusting in 'flesh' – human strength, alliances, or even our own abilities – is like leaning on a 'broken reed.' It's not just ineffective; it's actively harmful, piercing the one who relies on it. This misplaced confidence ultimately results in a life that, like the desert shrubs mentioned later in the passage, cannot produce good fruit and withers under trial.
A Spiritual Barrenness: Ultimately, this curse describes a spiritual condition. When our hearts are turned away from God, our lives become barren. We may experience temporary success or outward appearances of stability, but without the life-giving source of God's Spirit, true fruitfulness and lasting well-being are impossible.
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, delivered during the intense crises of the Babylonian invasions and exiles, serves as a stark warning against misplaced trust. The people of Judah were repeatedly tempted to seek alliances with powerful nations like Egypt, believing these 'arms of flesh' could save them. Jeremiah's message cuts to the core: such reliance not only fails but actively turns hearts away from the LORD, resulting in a curse rather than deliverance.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire is at its height, exerting significant military and political pressure on the kingdom of Judah. This often led Judah to seek alliances with other powers, like Egypt, to resist Assyria.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
A pivotal battle where the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeated the Egyptians. This marked the end of Egyptian dominance in the region and opened the way for Babylonian expansion.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Following the Babylonian victory at Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem and deports a group of Judean nobles and skilled workers to Babylon. This event deeply impacted the Judean psyche and political landscape.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another significant deportation occurs as Judah's political situation deteriorates. King Jehoiachin and more of the elite are taken captive to Babylon, increasing feelings of despair and insecurity.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and leading to the final major exile of the Judean population. This was a catastrophic event for the people of God.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah's Ministry Amidst Calamity
Throughout these crises, Jeremiah prophesied, often facing immense opposition. His message consistently condemned reliance on human alliances (like Egypt) and called for repentance and trust in the LORD.
This Psalm echoes Jeremiah's warning, directly stating 'Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation,' highlighting the same theme of misplaced trust in human leaders.
Isaiah 2:22This passage speaks of ceasing to rely on man, whose breath is in his nostrils, drawing a sharp parallel to Jeremiah's 'flesh' and emphasizing the futility of depending on mortal beings.
Proverbs 3:5This verse offers the counterpoint to Jeremiah's curse, presenting a beatitude: 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding,' showing the blessedness of placing full confidence in God.
Jeremiah 17:7This verse immediately follows Jeremiah 17:5 and presents the direct contrast: 'Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD,' creating a powerful juxtaposition of curses and blessings based on where trust is placed.
Galatians 3:3Paul echoes the sentiment of relying on 'flesh' here, asking believers if they are so foolish, after beginning with the Spirit, to be made complete by the flesh, illustrating the spiritual danger of mixing human effort or trust with divine reliance.
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 highlights a crucial connection: trusting in human strength ("man" and "flesh") isn't just a mistake; it's inherently linked to turning your heart away from God. It's not just about seeking help elsewhere, but about God being displaced as the ultimate source of trust and devotion.
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose nation is facing imminent destruction from powerful empires like Babylon. In the preceding verses, he has described the deep-seated sinfulness of Judah, noting their idolatry and reliance on their own strategies rather than on God. This verse, therefore, directly confronts their misguided confidence in human alliances and political maneuvering, contrasting it sharply with true faithfulness to the Lord, which is further developed in the verses that follow.
Jeremiah is addressing the people of Judah, whose nation is facing imminent destruction from powerful empires like Babylon. In the preceding verses, he has described the deep-seated sinfulness of Judah, noting their idolatry and reliance on their own strategies rather than on God. This verse, therefore, directly confronts their misguided confidence in human alliances and political maneuvering, contrasting it sharply with true faithfulness to the Lord, which is further developed in the verses that follow.
"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 highlights a crucial connection: trusting in human strength ("man" and "flesh") isn't just a mistake; it's inherently linked to turning your heart away from God. It's not just about seeki…
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Last reviewed October 2026