Jeremiah 17:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:13 serves as a profound declaration of Yahweh's unique identity as the sole source of hope and life for Israel, juxtaposed against the dire consequences for those who abandon Him. The verse underscores the spiritual folly and ultimate shame awaiting those who turn away from the living God, likening Him to an inexhaustible spring of life-giving water, while those who reject Him face a fate of being forgotten, their lives written in the dust of the earth. It is a powerful call to fidelity and a stark warning against spiritual apostasy, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness despite His people's turning away.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 17:13 is a climactic declaration within a chapter that sharply contrasts the destiny of those who trust in the Lord with those who rely on human strength or their own devices. The chapter begins by graphically depicting Judah's indelible sin, "written with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond" on their hearts and altars, indicating a deep-seated rebellion against God's covenant ([Jeremiah 17:1](/jeremiah/17-1 "Jeremiah 17:1 - Judah's Indelible Sin")). This sets the stage for the subsequent warnings. Immediately preceding this verse, Jeremiah presents a vivid parable: the cursed man who trusts in humanity is like a shrub in the desert, while the blessed man who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water, whose roots reach deep and is unbothered by heat or drought ([Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - The Curse and Blessing of Trust")). Verse 13 then brings this contrast to a sharp point, directly addressing the Lord as the "hope of Israel" and pronouncing judgment on those who forsake this true source, connecting their spiritual abandonment to a physical manifestation of shame and oblivion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The people of Judah repeatedly wavered in their loyalty to Yahweh, often turning to idolatry, foreign alliances, and syncretistic practices in search of security and prosperity. They sought solutions in human power and political maneuvering rather than in divine faithfulness. Culturally, water was an invaluable commodity in the arid Near East, making the imagery of a "fountain of living waters" profoundly significant. To abandon such a source for "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")) was not merely a theological error but a practical absurdity, highlighting the depth of Judah's spiritual delusion. The concept of a name being "written in the earth" would have resonated with the ephemeral nature of names traced in dust or sand, easily erased by wind or foot, contrasting starkly with more permanent inscriptions on stone or in official records, or indeed, names written in a heavenly book.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Jeremiah 17, and particularly verse 13, is the **source of true hope and life**. It emphatically declares Yahweh as the sole reliable wellspring of spiritual and existential sustenance for His people, Israel. This ties into the broader prophetic theme of **covenant faithfulness and apostasy**, where Judah's repeated turning away from God is depicted as a grave betrayal with severe consequences. The verse also highlights the **contrast between divine provision and human futility**, illustrating that reliance on anything other than the Lord leads to spiritual barrenness and ultimate shame. The imagery of "living waters" is a powerful metaphor for God's dynamic, life-sustaining presence, a theme that echoes throughout the Old Testament, from the Garden of Eden's rivers ([Genesis 2:10](/genesis/2-10 "Genesis 2:10 - Rivers of Eden")) to the prophetic visions of abundant water flowing from the temple ([Ezekiel 47:1-12](/ezekiel/47 "Ezekiel 47 - The River from the Temple")). Furthermore, the notion of being "written in the earth" underscores the theme of **divine judgment and the ephemeral nature of human rebellion**, contrasting with the eternal remembrance of the righteous.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _miqveh'_):** This word (H4723) carries the dual meaning of "something waited for, i.e., confidence" and "a collection of waters, a pool." In Jeremiah 17:13, it primarily refers to God as the object of Israel's trust and expectation, their ultimate security and future. The secondary meaning, "collection of waters," subtly reinforces the subsequent imagery of God as the "fountain of living waters," suggesting that He is both the object of their hope and the very source from which all life and sustenance flow. To forsake Him is to abandon both confidence and the wellspring of life.
* **Forsake (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** The verb (H5800) means "to loosen, relinquish, permit, leave destitute, refuse." In this context, it signifies a deliberate act of abandonment or desertion. It's not merely a passive drifting away but an active turning from God, a renunciation of the covenant relationship. This forsaking is presented as the foundational sin that leads to shame and oblivion, as it severs the connection to the only true source of life and hope. The repetition of "forsaken" in the verse emphasizes the severity and intentionality of this spiritual rebellion.
* **Fountain (Hebrew, _mâqôwr'_):** This noun (H4726) refers to "something dug," specifically a "source (of water), a spring, well-spring." It denotes an origin point from which water naturally and continuously flows. When applied to the LORD, it powerfully conveys His inherent, self-sustaining, and inexhaustible nature as the giver of life. He is not merely a reservoir that can be depleted, but an ever-flowing spring, eternally providing spiritual refreshment and vitality. To abandon this fountain is to choose spiritual drought and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD, the hope of Israel":** This opening address establishes God's essential identity and His relationship with His people. He is Yahweh (LORD, H3068), the self-existent God, and the singular object of Israel's trust, expectation, and confidence (hope, H4723). This phrase sets the standard by which all subsequent actions and their consequences are measured.
* **"all that forsake thee shall be ashamed":** This clause pronounces the immediate consequence of abandoning the Lord. "Forsake" (H5800) implies a deliberate turning away. "Ashamed" (H954) signifies not just personal embarrassment but public disgrace, disappointment, and a failure to achieve one's desired outcome, particularly in the context of seeking help or security from false sources.
* **"and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth":** This expands on the consequence of forsaking God. "Depart" (H3249 from H5493) reinforces the idea of turning away or removing oneself. To be "written in the earth" (H3789, H776) suggests an ephemeral, easily erased, and forgotten existence, contrasting sharply with names written in the Book of Life or permanently inscribed. It implies a loss of legacy, significance, and ultimately, a descent into oblivion and disgrace.
* **"because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters":** This final clause provides the ultimate reason for the judgment and shame: the fundamental act of abandoning God. The powerful metaphor of "the fountain (H4726) of living (H2416) waters (H4325)" vividly portrays God as the dynamic, inexhaustible, and life-giving source of all spiritual and physical sustenance. To forsake Him is to choose spiritual death and barrenness, cutting oneself off from the very wellspring of life.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:13 is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, primarily centered on water. God is vividly portrayed as "the fountain of living waters," a powerful **Metaphor** that conveys His life-giving, sustaining, and inexhaustible nature. This contrasts sharply with the spiritual drought experienced by those who forsake Him. The phrase "written in the earth" employs **Symbolism** and **Hyperbole** to depict ultimate insignificance and oblivion. Unlike names inscribed in stone or in the heavenly book of life, a name written in the earth is fleeting, easily erased by wind or foot, symbolizing a complete lack of lasting legacy or divine remembrance for those who rebel. There is also a strong **Contrast** throughout the verse and the broader chapter, pitting the security and life found in trusting the Lord against the shame and barrenness that result from forsaking Him. The structure itself is a form of **Parallelism**, with "all that forsake thee shall be ashamed" paralleled by "they that depart from me shall be written in the earth," reinforcing the consequences of apostasy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:13 stands as a pivotal theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty as the sole source of life, hope, and true satisfaction. It underscores the profound spiritual principle that turning away from God inevitably leads to emptiness, shame, and a forgotten existence, because He alone possesses the inherent capacity to sustain and fulfill. This verse highlights a core theme in biblical theology: humanity's dependence on the Creator for all things, and the tragic consequences of seeking life apart from Him. It is a divine lament over Israel's spiritual adultery, a poignant reminder that their pursuit of other gods or human strength was a rejection of the very wellspring of their being.

* [Psalm 36:9](/psalm/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - Fountain of Life")
* [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")
* [Revelation 21:6](/rev/21-6 "Revelation 21:6 - The Spring of the Water of Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:13 challenges believers across all generations to critically examine the ultimate source of their hope, security, and satisfaction. In a world that constantly offers fleeting pleasures, material comforts, and human achievements as pathways to fulfillment, this verse serves as a stark reminder that true life and lasting hope are found only in the Lord, the "fountain of living waters." It calls us to a radical reorientation of our desires and allegiances, urging us to draw deeply from the inexhaustible well of God's presence through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience. The warning of shame and oblivion for those who forsake Him is not merely a historical judgment but a timeless spiritual principle: to abandon the Giver of life is to choose a path of spiritual drought, disappointment, and ultimate insignificance. Therefore, our application must involve a continuous, conscious choice to abide in Him, recognizing that every deviation, no matter how small, moves us further from the source of true vitality and closer to the barrenness of self-reliance or worldly pursuits.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my hope and security in life? Is it truly in the Lord, or in other sources that promise temporary satisfaction?**
* **In what ways might I be "forsaking" or "departing" from the Lord in my daily life, perhaps subtly through neglect, distraction, or misplaced trust?**
* **How can I more intentionally draw from the "fountain of living waters" each day to ensure my spiritual vitality and avoid the shame of spiritual barrenness?**
* **What does it mean for my name to be "written in the earth" versus "written in heaven," and how does this verse influence my pursuit of an eternal legacy?**

### FAQ
**What does "written in the earth" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "written in the earth" (Hebrew: *yikkathev ba'aretz*) signifies a fate of insignificance, oblivion, and disgrace. Unlike names inscribed in stone or in a permanent record, a name written in the earth (or dust/sand) is easily erased by wind, rain, or foot traffic, symbolizing an ephemeral and forgotten existence. It contrasts sharply with the idea of names being recorded in a heavenly book or remembered eternally by God ([Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Luke 10:20 - Names Written in Heaven"); [Revelation 20:15](/rev/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life")). For those who forsake the Lord, their lives and legacies will be as fleeting and inconsequential as words traced in dust, ultimately leading to shame and a lack of lasting remembrance.

**Why is God called "the fountain of living waters"?**

Answer: God is called "the fountain of living waters" (Hebrew: *maqor mayim hayyim*) to emphasize His inherent, inexhaustible, and dynamic nature as the source of all life, spiritual vitality, and true satisfaction. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, a spring or fountain of fresh, flowing water was a symbol of life, refreshment, and sustenance. This metaphor highlights that God is not merely a provider of water, but the very origin and essence of life itself. To abandon Him is to choose spiritual drought and death, akin to digging "broken cisterns that can hold no water" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")), which is a futile attempt to find satisfaction apart from the divine source.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:13, with its declaration of the LORD as "the hope of Israel" and "the fountain of living waters," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of Israel's hope, the long-awaited Messiah who brings salvation and eternal life. Just as Jeremiah lamented those who forsook the divine spring, Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the true and living water that satisfies an eternal thirst, a fulfillment of the Old Testament imagery of life-giving streams. The shame and oblivion prophesied for those who depart from the Lord are overcome by Christ, who offers a new covenant where names are not written in the earth but "written in the Lamb's book of life" ([Revelation 21:27](/rev/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate source of spiritual life, offering reconciliation with the Father and an eternal inheritance that can never be erased or forgotten, ensuring that all who trust in Him will never be put to shame ([Romans 10:11](/romans/10-11 "Romans 10:11 - No One Who Believes Will Be Put to Shame")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.