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Jeremiah 17:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 17:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is.
8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
9The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
10I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
11As the partridge that sitteth on [eggs] which she hath not laid, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.
12A glorious throne, [set] on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.
13O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters.
← Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I the Lord search the heart, etc.] The inward parts of it, every room and corner in it; and know the thoughts of it; all its intents, purposes, designs, contrivances, and imaginations; all the secret motions of it, and the wickedness that is in it; so that this is an answer to the question in the preceding verse; and therefore, though the heart is deceitful, it cannot deceive him, because he judges not according to outward appearance; he sees and knows the heart; and none but the Lord, or he who is Jehovah, can so search the heart as thus to know it; wherefore, since Christ is said to search the reins and the heart, and to know the thoughts of men, and to be a discerner of the thoughts and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Lest any should infer from Jer 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. (Ch1 28:9; Psa 7:9; Pro 17:3; Rev 2:23). even to give--and that in order that I may give (Jer 32:19).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the rest of the prophecy Jeremiah dwells upon the moral faults which had led to Judah’s ruin. Jeremiah 17:6 Like the heath - Or, “like a destitute man” Psalms 102:17. The verbs “he shall see” (or fear) and “shall inhabit” plainly show that a man is here meant and not a plant. Jeremiah 17:8 The river - Or, “water-course” Isaiah 30:25, made for purposes of irrigation. Shall not see - Or, “shall not fear Jeremiah 17:6.” God’s people feel trouble as much as other people, but they do not fear it because they know (1) that it is for their good, and (2) that God will give them strength to bear it. Jeremiah 17:9 The train of thought is apparently this: If the man is so blessed Jeremiah 17:7-8 who…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Jer 11:20, Jer 20:12; Sa1 16:7; Ch1 28:9, Ch1 29:17; Ch2 6:30; Psa 7:9; Psa 139:1, Psa 139:2, Psa 139:23, Psa 139:24; Pro 17:3; Joh 2:25; Rom 8:27; Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13; Rev 2:23 even: Jer 32:19; Psa 62:12; Mat 16:27; Rom 2:6-8; Rev 20:12, Rev 22:12 fruit: Jer 21:14, Jer 32:19; Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11; Mic 7:13; Rom 6:21; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8 Jeremiah 17:11”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification