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Jeremiah 17:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 17:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.
Jeremiah 17:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, [and] with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
2whilst their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees upon the high hills.
3O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures for a spoil, [and] thy high places, because of sin, throughout all thy borders.
4And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.
5Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.
6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited.
7Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is.
← Jeremiah 17:3Jeremiah 17:5 →
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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
“And thou, even thyself, etc.] Or, “thou, and in thee”f349; that is, thou and those that are in thee, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea; or, “thou even through thyself”f350; through thine own fault, by reason of thy sins and iniquities: shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; be removed from it, and no longer enjoy it: or, “shalt intermit from thine heritage”f351; shall not till the land, plough and sow, and reap, and gather the fruits of it: this was enjoined on every seventh year, when the land was to have its rest, or sabbath, (<022310>Exodus 23:10,11), but this law they did not observe; and now, therefore, whether they would or not, the land should be intermitted,…”
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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
“even thyself--rather, "owing to thyself," that is, by thy own fault (Jer 15:13). discontinue from--be dispossessed of. Not only thy substance, but thyself shall be carried off to a strange land (Jer 15:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The verb rendered “discontinue” is that used of letting the land rest Exodus 23:11, and of releasing creditors Deuteronomy 15:2 in the sabbatical year. As Judah had not kept these sabbatical years she must now discontinue the tillage of God’s inheritance until the land had had its rest. “Even thyself may mean and that through thyself,” through thine own fault. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For ever - For a long time; so the word ever is often taken. Jeremiah 17:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:4 The wonderful possession, the Promised Land, would slip from Judah’s hands when the people were taken as captives to Babylon.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thyself: Heb. in thyself shalt: Jer 16:13, Jer 25:9-11; Lev 26:31-34; Deu 4:26, Deu 4:27, Deu 28:25; Jos 23:15, Jos 23:16; Kg1 9:7; Kg2 25:21 and I: Jer 5:29, Jer 27:12, Jer 27:13; Deu 28:47, Deu 28:48; Neh 9:28; Isa 14:3 for: Jer 7:20, Jer 15:14; Deu 29:26-28, Deu 32:22-25; Isa 5:25, Isa 30:33, Isa 66:24; Lam 1:12; Eze 20:47, Eze 20:48, Eze 21:31; Nah 1:5, Nah 1:6; Mar 9:43-49 Jeremiah 17:5”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification