This verse highlights that true stability isn't about avoiding hardship, but about being so deeply rooted in God that life's droughts don't steal your greenness or stop you from bearing fruit. It's not that trials won't come, but that your connection to the divine "water source" provides an unseen, resilient strength.
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah begins this passage by denouncing those who place their trust in human strength and turn away from God. He contrasts this with a blessing for those who do trust in the Lord, painting a vivid picture of a well-watered tree that flourishes even in the harshest conditions, offering a stark image of security and fruitfulness as a result of their reliance on God.
When life feels like a drought, where do you find your strength? This verse reveals that true resilience isn't about avoiding hardship, but about being deeply connected to a life-giving source.
Jeremiah paints a vivid picture of a tree that thrives even in harsh conditions. Notice how the verse emphasizes the tree's roots: 'sends out its roots by the stream.' This isn't just a passive connection; it's an active reaching out, drawing sustenance from a constant, reliable source.
Feeling anxious in tough times? This verse offers a powerful contrast between worry and unwavering fruitfulness, showing what it looks like to live with peace even when life is parched.
The verse contrasts two responses to difficult seasons: anxiety and fruitfulness. The tree 'is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.' This isn't about a lack of problems, but a transformed perspective and ongoing purpose.
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Jeremiah's powerful imagery of a flourishing tree contrasts sharply with the desolation of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem. This verse speaks to the exiles, reminding them that true stability and fruitfulness come not from political alliances or the land itself, but from an unshakeable trust in the Lord, even in the harshest of circumstances.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Dominance
The powerful Assyrian Empire exerted significant influence over Judah, leading to political instability and a reliance on foreign alliances rather than divine trust.
626 BC
Rise of Babylon
Nabopolassar established the Neo-Babylonian Empire, beginning a shift in regional power that would further challenge Judah's precarious position.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces captured Jerusalem, taking some of the royal family and elite citizens, including Daniel, into exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation
Another significant group, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, were exiled to Babylon following a revolt.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, leading to the final, massive deportation of the Judean population.
c. 550 BC
Cyrus the Great's Rise
Cyrus ascended the Persian throne, setting the stage for the eventual Persian conquest of Babylon and the decree allowing Jewish return.
This Psalm paints a similar picture of the righteous person, describing them as a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and bearing fruit, directly echoing the imagery and promise in Jeremiah.
Psalm 52:8This passage contrasts the ungodly, who are like a fruitless, temporary growth, with the righteous, who are compared to an olive tree in God's house, thriving and fruitful due to their trust in God's steadfast love.
Isaiah 30:25This verse speaks of God's restoration, where on the day of destruction, streams will be opened and drink will be given to all God's people, reflecting the idea of abundant provision that sustains the 'tree planted by water.'
John 15:5Jesus speaks about being the vine and his followers being the branches, highlighting that apart from Him, we can do nothing, which resonates with the tree's reliance on its water source for its life and fruitfulness.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, providing a theological framework for why the 'tree' doesn't fear drought or heat, as God is its ultimate sustainer.
clarkeJeremiah 17:8: "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
A s a tree planted by the waters - Which is sufficiently supplied with moisture, though the heat be intense, and there be no rain; for the roots being spread out by the river, they absorb from it all the moisture requisite for the…
calvinJeremiah 17:7-8: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Et erit tanquam arbor plantata prope aquas, et prope rivum emittet (hoc est, quae emittit) radices suas, et non videbit cum veniet aestus, et erit f…
This verse highlights that true stability isn't about avoiding hardship, but about being so deeply rooted in God that life's droughts don't steal your greenness or stop you from bearing fruit. It's not that trials won't come, but that your connection to the divine "water source" provides an unseen, resilient strength.
Jeremiah begins this passage by denouncing those who place their trust in human strength and turn away from God. He contrasts this with a blessing for those who do trust in the Lord, painting a vivid picture of a well-watered tree that flourishes even in the harshest conditions, offering a stark image of security and fruitfulness as a result of their reliance on God.
Jeremiah begins this passage by denouncing those who place their trust in human strength and turn away from God. He contrasts this with a blessing for those who do trust in the Lord, painting a vivid picture of a well-watered tree that flourishes even in the harshest conditions, offering a stark image of security and fruitfulness as a result of their reliance on God.
"He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to…" — This verse highlights that true stability isn't about avoiding hardship, but about being so deeply rooted in God that life's droughts don't steal your greenness or stop you from bearing fruit. It's n…
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Last reviewed October 2026
