Jeremiah 17:13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, [and] they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

O LORD {H3068}, the hope {H4723} of Israel {H3478}, all that forsake {H5800} thee shall be ashamed {H954}, and they that depart {H3249} from me {H5493} shall be written {H3789} in the earth {H776}, because they have forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068}, the fountain {H4726} of living {H2416} waters {H4325}.

Hope of Isra'el, ADONAI! All who abandon you will be ashamed, those who leave you will be inscribed in the dust, because they have abandoned ADONAI, the source of living water.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

O 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 17:13 is a powerful declaration from the prophet Jeremiah, serving as both a lament and a warning to the people of Judah. It underscores the profound consequences of spiritual apostasy and reaffirms God's identity as the sole source of life and hope.

Context

This verse is situated within a chapter that starkly contrasts those who trust in human strength and rely on "flesh" with those who place their confidence in the Lord. Jeremiah 17 begins by describing Judah's sin as indelible, written on their hearts and altars (Jeremiah 17:1). The preceding verses (Jeremiah 17:5-8) draw a clear distinction between the cursed man who trusts in man and the blessed man who trusts in the Lord, likening the latter to a tree planted by the waters. Verse 13 brings this theme to a climax, highlighting the ultimate fate of those who reject God.

Key Themes

  • God as the True Hope and Source: The verse opens by acknowledging the LORD as "the hope of Israel." This emphasizes His unique position as the only reliable source of security, future, and well-being for His people. He is not merely a provider but the very essence of their hope.
  • Consequences of Forsaking God: Those who "forsake thee" and "depart from me" are promised shame and a fleeting, forgotten existence. This speaks to the spiritual and practical degradation that results from turning away from divine guidance and provision.
  • The "Fountain of Living Waters": This powerful metaphor highlights God as the dynamic, life-giving source of spiritual nourishment and refreshment. To abandon Him is to choose spiritual drought and death, akin to digging broken cisterns that can hold no water, as Jeremiah also lamented.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Hope of Israel": The Hebrew word for hope, miqveh (מִקְוֶה), can also mean 'collection of waters' or 'reservoir', subtly reinforcing the imagery of God as the ultimate source, a wellspring of sustenance.
  • "Written in the earth": The phrase yikkathev ba'aretz (יִכָּתֵב בָּאָרֶץ) implies something ephemeral, easily erased, or forgotten, contrasting sharply with names written in heaven or in the Book of Life. It suggests disgrace, insignificance, and a lack of lasting legacy.
  • "Fountain of living waters": The Hebrew maqor mayim hayyim (מְקוֹר מַיִם חַיִּים) vividly portrays God as the active, ever-flowing spring of life itself. The term hayyim (life) emphasizes vitality and abundance, not just survival.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 17:13 serves as a timeless reminder for all generations. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and hope. In a world that often encourages self-reliance or reliance on fleeting material possessions, this verse calls us back to the divine source.

  • Examine Your Source: Are we truly drawing from the "fountain of living waters" through prayer, Scripture, and obedience, or are we seeking satisfaction in "broken cisterns" like wealth, status, or fleeting pleasures?
  • The Danger of Apostasy: The warning of shame and being "written in the earth" highlights the spiritual and personal consequences of turning away from God. It's a call to faithfulness and perseverance.
  • God Our Only True Hope: In times of despair or uncertainty, we are reminded that the LORD remains the unchanging "hope" — our anchor and ultimate security. We are encouraged to continually seek Him as our primary source of life and joy.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • John 7:37

    ¶ In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

  • John 7:38

    He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

  • Revelation 22:1

    ¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

  • John 4:14

    But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  • John 4:10

    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

  • Psalms 36:8

    They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

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