Jeremiah 17:3

KJV

O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance [and] all thy treasures to the spoil, [and] thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.

KJV (with Strong's)

O my mountain {H2042} in the field {H7704}, I will give {H5414} thy substance {H2428} and all thy treasures {H214} to the spoil {H957}, and thy high places {H1116} for sin {H2403}, throughout all thy borders {H1366}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My mountain in the field, your wealth and all your treasures will be plundered; because of the sin of your high places throughout your territory.

Berean Standard Bible

O My mountain in the countryside, I will give over your wealth and all your treasures as plunder, because of the sin of your high places, within all your borders.

American Standard Version

O 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:3 delivers a profound and somber prophecy of divine judgment against Judah, declaring that their national wealth and sacred sites, once symbols of their covenant relationship with God, will be utterly plundered and desecrated. This pronouncement underscores the severe and inevitable consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness, particularly the widespread practice of illicit worship at "high places" that had permeated the very fabric of their society. The verse portrays God's active and sovereign role in orchestrating this national calamity as a direct, righteous response to His people's profound rebellion and betrayal of their covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jeremiah's prophetic indictment against Judah, specifically within a section (chapters 17-20) that vividly details the nation's deep-seated sin and the inevitable divine retribution. Immediately preceding [Jeremiah 17:3](/jeremiah/17-3 "Jeremiah 17:3 - Judgment on Judah"), [Jeremiah 17:1-2](/jeremiah/17-1-2 "Jeremiah 17:1-2 - Judah's Inscribed Sin") establish the pervasive nature of Judah's idolatry, describing how their sin is indelibly etched on their hearts and altars, a testament to its deep-rootedness. The "mountain in the field" in verse 3 serves as a poignant poetic continuation of this imagery, representing Jerusalem or the entire land of Judah, which, despite its elevated status and covenant blessings, is now exposed and vulnerable to the consequences of its spiritual defilement. The subsequent verses in [Jeremiah 17](/jeremiah/17 "Jeremiah 17 - Cursed is the Man Who Trusts in Man") continue to explore contrasting themes of trust, highlighting the cursed nature of relying on human strength and the blessedness of trusting in the Lord, setting the stage for a broader call to repentance and a deeper understanding of God's righteous character.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah delivered these prophecies during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the devastating Babylonian exile (late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE). The nation had repeatedly turned away from the Lord, engaging in syncretistic worship and adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. "High places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*) were elevated sites, often hilltops or man-made platforms, where pagan deities were worshipped and illicit sacrifices were offered. This practice was explicitly condemned by God's law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Worship Sites")), yet it persisted and became deeply ingrained throughout the land, symbolizing Judah's systemic spiritual corruption and covenant unfaithfulness. Despite reforms by kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the allure of idolatry proved too strong. The "spoil" refers to the plunder and destruction that would be inflicted by invading armies, primarily the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, which served as God's instrument of righteous judgment against His rebellious people.

* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 17:3](/jeremiah/17-3 "Jeremiah 17:3 - Judgment on Judah") powerfully contributes to several major themes in the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, unequivocally declaring God's decision to bring calamity upon Judah as a direct result of their covenant unfaithfulness. Their "substance" and "treasures" being given "to the spoil" signifies the devastating economic and material loss, a clear fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47-48 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Secondly, the phrase "thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders" underscores the **Pervasiveness of Idolatry** within Judah, indicating that the nation's spiritual defilement was not isolated but deeply ingrained and widespread, provoking God's righteous anger (cf. [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). Lastly, the declaration "I will give" emphasizes **God's Sovereignty in Judgment**, asserting His active role and ultimate control over the destiny of nations. This is not merely a political or military defeat but a divinely orchestrated consequence of Judah's rebellion, demonstrating that God remains just and faithful to His covenant, even in His disciplinary actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mountain (Hebrew, _hârâr'_):** From an unused root meaning "to loom up," this word denotes an elevation, specifically a mountain or hill. In this context, "O my mountain" is a poignant address to Jerusalem or the entire land of Judah, which was geographically elevated and held a prominent, chosen status in God's covenant. The juxtaposition with "in the field" suggests a once-protected, now exposed and vulnerable entity, stripped of its divine defense.
* **High places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to be high," this term refers to an elevation or height. In biblical usage, "high places" specifically denotes sites, often on hills or raised platforms, used for pagan worship and idolatrous sacrifices. Their widespread presence "throughout all thy borders" signifies the deep penetration and pervasive nature of Judah's sin, making them a primary target of God's judgment.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From the root *ḥāṭāʼ*, meaning "to miss the mark," this word encompasses an offense, habitual sinfulness, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation. Here, "for sin" explicitly states the reason for the impending judgment: the nation's accumulated transgressions, particularly their idolatry at the high places, which constituted a profound betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O my mountain in the field,"**: This is a direct, lamenting address from God to Jerusalem or the land of Judah. "My mountain" signifies a place once cherished and set apart by God, perhaps even a reference to Mount Zion, the site of His temple. The phrase "in the field" implies a profound shift: a loss of its former secure, elevated, and divinely protected status. It now stands exposed, vulnerable to the elements and to attack, symbolizing its spiritual degradation and impending desolation.
* **"I will give thy substance [and] all thy treasures to the spoil,"**: This clause declares God's active and sovereign role in the impending disaster. "Substance" (Hebrew: *chayil*) refers to wealth, resources, and strength, while "treasures" (Hebrew: *ʼôwtsâr*) denotes stored riches and valuable possessions. God Himself will hand over everything of value belonging to Judah—their material wealth, economic stability, and even their national strength—to be plundered ("spoil," Hebrew: *baz*) by an invading force. This highlights the severity, totality, and divine orchestration of the judgment.
* **"[and] thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders."**: This final clause specifies a key aspect of the judgment and its primary cause. The "high places," sites of illicit pagan worship and spiritual rebellion, will be given over "for sin," meaning they will be destroyed or desecrated as a direct consequence and just recompense for the idolatry practiced there. The phrase "throughout all thy borders" emphasizes the pervasive nature of this sin, indicating that no part of the land was untouched by this spiritual corruption, and thus, no part will be exempt from the comprehensive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The opening phrase, **Apostrophe**, is a direct and poignant address to "O my mountain in the field," personifying Judah or Jerusalem as a once-exalted but now vulnerable entity. This "mountain in the field" also functions as a potent **Metaphor** or **Symbolism**, representing the nation of Judah—once a strong, divinely chosen stronghold (like Mount Zion), but now exposed and susceptible to attack, as if leveled to common ground. The mention of "high places" is also deeply **Symbolic**, representing the pervasive idolatry and spiritual corruption that permeated the nation, making them focal points of God's wrath. The declaration that God "will give" Judah's "substance and all thy treasures to the spoil" uses **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** to emphasize the totality and severity of the coming plunder, suggesting a complete and devastating loss of national wealth and security. The phrase "throughout all thy borders" further employs **Merism** to indicate the entire extent of the land, reinforcing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:3 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that persistent sin, particularly idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness, inevitably leads to divine judgment. It reveals God's unwavering justice, demonstrating that His covenant relationship with His people includes both blessings for obedience and severe consequences for rebellion. The "spoil" and the destruction of "high places" are not arbitrary acts but a righteous response to a nation that had repeatedly turned away from its Creator, placing its trust in false gods and human strength. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God is sovereign over the destinies of nations and that true security lies not in material wealth or military might, but in wholehearted devotion to Him. It highlights the destructive nature of idolatry, which pollutes both the land and the people, necessitating a purifying judgment that, though painful, aims to restore God's glory and righteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:47-48](/deuteronomy/28-47-48 "Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - Consequences of Disobedience") - "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you."
* [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House") - "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it... He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people."
* [Ezekiel 6:3-6](/ezekiel/6-3-6 "Ezekiel 6:3-6 - Judgment on Idolatrous High Places") - "Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: ‘Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places... Your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.’"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:3 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations, including believers today. While we may not worship physical idols on literal "high places," the principle of idolatry remains profoundly relevant. Anything that takes precedence over God in our affections, trust, and devotion—be it wealth, career, relationships, comfort, reputation, or even our own abilities—can become a modern "high place" that provokes spiritual consequences. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify and dismantle any such "high places" in our lives. It reminds us that true spiritual security and flourishing come only from an unreserved reliance on God, not on worldly possessions or human schemes. The Lord's justice, though severe in this context, is always rooted in His holiness and His desire for His people's ultimate good. Therefore, the impending judgment should not lead to despair, but to urgent repentance and a renewed commitment to single-minded devotion to the one true God, trusting in His provision and protection above all else, knowing that His discipline ultimately aims for our purification and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "high places" in my own life or in our contemporary culture that compete for ultimate allegiance with God?**
* **How does the concept of God giving over "substance" and "treasures to the spoil" challenge my understanding of material possessions and financial security?**
* **In what ways might I be trusting in human strength or worldly systems rather than fully relying on the Lord, as Judah did?**
* **What practical steps can I take to dismantle any spiritual idols and cultivate a more exclusive devotion to God in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "O my mountain in the field" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "O my mountain in the field" is a poignant prophetic address, likely referring to Jerusalem or the entire land of Judah. "Mountain" (Hebrew: *hârâr*) signifies strength, prominence, and often refers to Mount Zion, the site of God's temple and the center of Judah's spiritual and political life. The possessive "my" indicates God's former intimate relationship with this place, emphasizing His ownership and covenant with His people. However, the addition of "in the field" (Hebrew: *sâdeh*) introduces a stark contrast. A field is open, exposed, and vulnerable, unlike a fortified mountain. This juxtaposition powerfully symbolizes Judah's fall from its divinely protected and exalted status to a state of vulnerability and exposure to its enemies, stripped of God's favor due to its pervasive sin. It conveys a sense of lament and the profound shift in Judah's spiritual condition, from a secure dwelling to a desolate, exposed landscape.

**What were "high places" and why were they considered "for sin"?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*) were elevated sites, often natural hills or man-made mounds, used for religious worship. While some were initially used for legitimate worship of Yahweh before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, they increasingly became centers for syncretistic and pagan worship practices, incorporating elements of Canaanite fertility cults and idolatry. They were considered "for sin" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*) because they directly violated God's commands against idolatry and His directive to worship Him exclusively at the designated temple in Jerusalem (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5-7 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - The Chosen Place of Worship")). The worship at high places often involved illicit sacrifices, prostitution, and the veneration of false gods like Baal and Asherah, representing a profound betrayal of Judah's covenant with the Lord. Their widespread presence "throughout all thy borders" indicated the depth of the nation's spiritual corruption, making them a primary target of divine judgment.

**How does God's judgment in Jeremiah 17:3 relate to His love and mercy?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 17:3 speaks of severe judgment—the plunder of Judah's substance and the destruction of its high places—it is crucial to understand this within the broader context of God's character and covenant. God's judgment is not an act of arbitrary malice but a righteous and just response to unrepentant sin and persistent rebellion against His holiness and covenant faithfulness. It is an expression of His justice (e.g., [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Just Judge")), which is an integral part of His perfect character, alongside His love and mercy. In the biblical narrative, judgment often serves a redemptive purpose, intended to bring about repentance and restoration, to purify His people, and to demonstrate His sovereignty to the nations. Even in judgment, God's ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him, as seen in subsequent calls for repentance throughout Jeremiah and the promise of a new covenant (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). Thus, judgment, while painful, is often a severe form of divine discipline aimed at preserving the covenant relationship and leading to ultimate reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:3, with its stark prophecy of divine judgment against Judah for its pervasive idolatry and reliance on false security, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "spoil" and the destruction of "high places for sin" foreshadow the ultimate consequence of humanity's sin, which Christ bore on the cross. He became the ultimate "substance" given over for humanity's sin, taking upon Himself the divine judgment that we deserved (e.g., [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus dismantled the "high places" of sin and false worship, not by physical destruction, but by conquering the spiritual powers that held humanity captive (e.g., [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He is the true "mountain" of God's presence, the heavenly [Mount Zion](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - Mount Zion, the Heavenly Jerusalem") where true worship in spirit and truth is now offered (e.g., [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), replacing the corruptible earthly high places. In Christ, believers are freed from the bondage of idolatry and the judgment it brings, receiving forgiveness and new life, and are called to worship God exclusively, not with material sacrifices but with their very lives as a spiritual offering (e.g., [Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice")). Thus, the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah 17:3 highlights the depth of sin and the necessity of God's righteous response, which is perfectly and redemptively fulfilled in the saving work of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Jeremiah 15:13

Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.

Jeremiah 26:18

Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed [like] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

2 Kings 24:13

And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

Isaiah 39:4

Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that [is] in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

Isaiah 39:6

Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and [that] which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 7:20

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations [and] of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.

Ezekiel 7:22

My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.