TRV
Translation
King James Version
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine 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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue H8058 from thine heritage H5159 that I gave H5414 thee; and I will cause thee to serve H5647 thine enemies H341 in the land H776 which thou knowest H3045 not: for ye have kindled H6919 a fire H784 in mine anger H639, which shall burn H3344 for H5704 ever H5769.
Complete Jewish Bible
You will relinquish your hold on your heritage which I gave you. I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know. For you have kindled my fiery anger, and it will burn forever."
Berean Standard Bible
And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, for you have kindled My anger; it will burn forever.”
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
You, even of yourself, shall discontinue from your heritage that I gave you; and I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you don’t know: for you have kindled a fire in my anger which shall burn forever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt rest, and in thee shall be a rest from thine heritage that I gaue thee, and I will cause thee to serue thine enemies in the land, which thou knowest not: for yee haue kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burne for euer.
Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast let go--even through thyself, Of thine inheritance that I gave to thee, And I have caused thee to serve thine enemies, In a land that thou hast not known, For a fire ye have kindled in Mine anger, Unto the age it doth burn.
In the KJVVerse 19,362 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 17 verses 1–4
1 ¶ The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
3 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.
4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine 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.
The people had asked (Jer 16:10), What is our iniquity, and what is our sin? as if they could not be charged with any thing worth speaking of, for which God should enter into judgment with them; their challenge was answered there, but here we have a further reply to it, in which,
I. The indictment is fully proved upon the prisoners, both the fact and the fault; their sin is too plain to be denied and too bad to be excused, and they have nothing to plead either in extenuation of the crime or in arrest and mitigation of the judgment. 1. They cannot plead, Not guilty, for their sins are upon record in the book of God's omniscience and their own conscience; nay, and they are obvious to the eye and observation of the world, Jer 17:1, Jer 17:2. They are written before God in the most legible and indelible characters, and sealed among his treasures, never to be forgotten, Deu 32:34. They are written there with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond; what is so written will not be worn out by time, but is, as Job speaks, graven in the rock for ever. Note, The sin of sinners is never forgotten till it is forgiven. It is ever before God, till by repentance it comes to be ever before us. It is graven upon the table of their heart; their own consciences witness against them, and are instead of a thousand witnesses. What is graven on the heart, though it may be covered and closed up for a time, yet, being graven, it cannot be erased, but will be produced in evidence when the books shall be opened. Nay, we need not appeal to the tables of the heart, perhaps they will not own the convictions of their consciences. We need go no further, for proof of the charge, than the horns of their altars, on which the blood of their idolatrous sacrifices was sprinkled, and perhaps the names of the idols to whose honour they were erected were inscribed. Their neighbours will witness against them, and all the creatures they have abused by using them in the service of their lusts. To complete the evidence, their own children shall be witnesses against them; they will tell truth when their fathers dissemble and prevaricate; they remember the altars and the groves to which their parents took them when they were little, v. 2. It appears that they were full of them, and acquainted with them betimes, they talked of them so frequently, so familiarly, and with so much delight. 2. They cannot plead that they repent, or are brought to a better mind. No, as the guilt of their sin is undeniable, so their inclination to sin is invincible and incurable. In this sense many understand Jer 17:1, Jer 17:2. Their sin is deeply engraven as with a pen of iron in the tables of their hearts. They have a rooted affection to it; it is woven into their very nature; their sin is dear to them, as that is dear to us of which we say, It is engraven on our hearts. The bias of their minds is still as strong as ever towards their idols, and they are not wrought upon either by the word or rod of God to forget them and abate their affection to them. It is written upon the horns of their altars, for they have given up their names to their idols and resolve to abide by what they have done; they have bound themselves, as with cords, to the horns of their altars. And Jer 17:2 may be read fully to this sense: As they remember their children, so remember they their altars and their groves; they are as fond of them and take as much pleasure in them as men do in their own children, and are as loth to part with them; they will live and die with their idols, and can no more forget them than a woman can forget her sucking child.
II. The indictment being thus fully proved, the judgment is affirmed and the sentence ratified, Jer 17:3, Jer 17:4. Forasmuch as they are thus wedded to their sins, and will not part with them, 1. They shall be made to part with their treasures, and those shall be given into the hands of strangers. Jerusalem is God's mountain in the field; it was built on a hill in the midst of a plain. All the treasures of that wealthy city will God give to the spoil. Or, My mountains with the fields, thy wealth and all thy treasures will I expose to spoil; both the products of the country and the stores of the city shall be seized by the Chaldeans. Justly are men stripped of that which they have served their idols with and have made the food and the fuel of their lusts. My mountain (so the whole land was, Psa 78:54, Deu 11:11) you have turned into your high places for sin, have worshipped your idols upon the high hills (Jer 17:2), and now they shall be give for a spoil in all your borders. What we make for a sin God will make for a spoil; for what comfort can we expect in that wherewith God is dishonoured? 2. They shall be made to part with their inheritance, and shall be carried captives into a strange land (Jer 17:4): Thou, even thyself (or thou thyself and those that are in thee, all the inhabitants), shall discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee. God owns that it was their heritage, and that he gave it to them; they had an unquestionable title to it, which was an aggravation of their folly in throwing themselves out of the possession of it. It is through thyself (so some read it), through thy own default, that thou art disseised. Thou shalt discontinue, or intermit, the occupation of thy land. The law appointed them to let their land rest (it is the word here used) one year in seven, Exo 23:11. They did not observe that law, and now God would compel them to let it rest (the land shall enjoy her sabbaths, Lev 26:34); and yet it shall be not rest to them; they shall serve their enemies in a land they know not. Observe, (1.) Sin works a discontinuance of our comforts and deprives us of the enjoyment of that which God has given us. Yet, (2.) A discontinuance of the possession is not a defeasance of the right, but it is intimated that upon their repentance they shall recover possession again. For the present, you have kindled a fire in my anger, which burns so fiercely that it seems as if it would burn for ever; and so it will unless you repent, for it is the anger of an everlasting God fastening upon the immortal souls, and who knows the power of that anger?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–4. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:4 delivers a profound prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the kingdom of Judah, foretelling their inevitable removal from the promised land—their sacred, God-given heritage—and their forced subjugation to unfamiliar enemies in a foreign territory. This severe consequence is presented not as arbitrary punishment, but as a direct and righteous retribution for their pervasive idolatry and persistent rebellion, actions that have ignited God's enduring and consuming wrath, symbolizing the certainty and comprehensive nature of their impending chastisement.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within a section of Jeremiah (chapters 17-20) that meticulously details Judah's profound spiritual apostasy and pronounces the severe divine judgment that will follow. Immediately preceding Jeremiah 17:4, the prophet vividly portrays Judah's sin as deeply ingrained and indelible, inscribed on their hearts and altars (as seen in Jeremiah 17:1-2). This sets the stage for the stark contrast presented in Jeremiah 17:5-8, where the blessedness of trusting in the Lord is juxtaposed with the curse of relying on human strength. Verse 4 then functions as the explicit divine decree of punishment, serving as the direct and inevitable consequence for the idolatry and unfaithfulness previously detailed, fulfilling the covenant curses outlined throughout the Torah, particularly in Deuteronomy 28.
Historical & Cultural Context: Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period characterized by profound political instability, moral decay, and widespread spiritual decline, ultimately culminating in the Babylonian exile. The people of Judah had consistently violated their covenant with Yahweh, engaging in pervasive idolatry, including the worship of foreign deities like Baal and Molech, and establishing "high places" for pagan rituals throughout the land. Culturally, the concept of "heritage" (Hebrew: nachălâh) was of immense significance, referring to the land of Canaan that God had graciously bestowed upon Abraham's descendants as an eternal possession. This land symbolized not only their physical dwelling but also their national identity, security, and the tangible manifestation of their covenant relationship with God. To "discontinue" from this divinely granted heritage was an unthinkable reversal of divine blessing, signifying a catastrophic loss of national identity, divine favor, and the very foundation of their existence, a direct and severe consequence of their persistent rebellion against the God who had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt and established them in this promised land.
Key Themes: Jeremiah 17:4 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is the Loss of Heritage, which signifies the forfeiture of the promised land—a tangible manifestation of God's covenant blessings. This theme underscores the conditional nature of their land tenure, which was profoundly dependent on covenant faithfulness, echoing the solemn warnings found throughout Deuteronomy. Closely related is the theme of Divine Judgment and Exile, as God unequivocally declares that Judah will be forced to "serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not," directly prophesying the impending Babylonian captivity and the profound trauma of displacement. Finally, the verse highlights the severe Consequences of Sin and God's Unwavering Justice, explicitly stating that Judah's actions have "kindled a fire in mine anger." This emphasizes that divine wrath is a just, proportionate, and necessary response to persistent rebellion and idolatry. The phrase "which shall burn for ever" signifies the complete, enduring, and effective nature of this decreed judgment, ensuring the certainty and severity of God's righteous retribution against unrepentant sin, a theme also powerfully depicted in Lamentations 2:3.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:4 employs powerful Imagery to convey the gravity of Judah's sin and the intensity of God's response. The "fire in mine anger" is a vivid Metaphor, portraying God's wrath not as a fleeting emotion but as a consuming, purifying, and destructive force, directly ignited by Judah's actions. This metaphor underscores the intensity and inevitability of the judgment. The declaration that God "will cause thee to serve thine enemies" employs Divine Agency, powerfully underscoring that the impending calamity is not merely a natural consequence or historical accident, but a direct, sovereign act of God's justice, fulfilling His covenant warnings. Furthermore, the phrase "which shall burn for ever" uses Hyperbole to emphasize the certainty, completeness, and enduring nature of the judgment, ensuring that the punishment will run its full course until its purpose is achieved, rather than implying an unending, eternal conflagration. This hyperbole serves to impress upon the audience the absolute certainty and severity of God's righteous retribution.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:4 profoundly illustrates the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where the blessings of the land and national security were contingent upon their obedience and faithfulness, while curses were the consequence of disobedience. The loss of the land, their "heritage," is the ultimate reversal of God's gracious promise to Abraham and a tangible sign of their broken covenant. This verse underscores the absolute holiness of God and the profound seriousness of sin, particularly idolatry, which is presented as a direct affront to His sovereignty and a betrayal of His covenant love. It reveals that while God is merciful and long-suffering, His justice is equally real and will be executed against persistent rebellion. The "fire in mine anger" is not capricious but a righteous response to a people who have repeatedly rejected His warnings and turned to false gods, demonstrating that God holds His people accountable for their choices and that sin has inevitable, severe consequences.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:4 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the profound consequences of spiritual rebellion and the unwavering justice of God. For believers today, it highlights that while our covenant with God is established through Christ's grace and not dependent on our perfect adherence to a legal code, the principles of faithfulness, trust, and the rejection of idolatry remain paramount. We are called to diligently examine our own hearts and lives for anything that attempts to usurp God's rightful place—be it material possessions, career aspirations, relationships, or even self-reliance and intellectual pride. The "heritage" for the New Testament believer is not a physical land but a spiritual inheritance in Christ, including eternal life, peace with God, adoption into His family, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. To "discontinue" from this heritage, in a spiritual sense, would be to drift from Christ, to fall into spiritual apathy, or to embrace the idols of our age, thereby forfeiting the richness of our relationship with God and the blessings He desires to bestow. This verse compels us to take sin seriously, to cultivate a deep reverence for God, and to live in a manner that honors His supreme authority and love, lest we provoke His righteous displeasure through our unfaithfulness and neglect of His grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "discontinue from thine heritage" specifically refer to?
Answer: This phrase refers to the forced removal of the people of Judah from the land of Canaan, which God had graciously given to their ancestors as an eternal inheritance. It signifies the catastrophic loss of their national identity, their security, and their direct connection to the covenant promises tied to the land. This prophetic warning was fulfilled during the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people were forcibly deported from their homeland and lived as captives in a foreign land, as vividly recounted in 2 Kings 25.
Is God's anger truly "forever" as stated in this verse?
Answer: The Hebrew phrase "for ever" (ʻad ʻôwlâm) in this context does not necessarily mean an eternal, unending duration in the sense of infinite time. Rather, it signifies a judgment that is complete, enduring, and effective for the full decreed period of punishment. It emphasizes the certainty and severity of God's wrath, indicating that the consequences of Judah's sin would be fully realized and that the judgment would run its course until its divine purpose was achieved, which included the seventy-year period of exile mentioned in Jeremiah 29:10.
How does this verse, which speaks of judgment, reconcile with God's love and mercy?
Answer: While Jeremiah 17:4 highlights God's justice and wrath against sin, it's crucial to understand this within the broader biblical narrative of God's multifaceted character. God's anger is not capricious or vindictive, but a righteous and holy response to persistent rebellion and idolatry, which are acts of profound betrayal against His covenant love. His judgment is a demonstration of His holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice, ultimately serving to purify His people and uphold His righteous standards. Even amidst judgment, God's ultimate purpose is redemptive, as evidenced by His promises of restoration after the exile (e.g., Jeremiah 29:11). His love is expressed not only in His patience and warnings but also in His just discipline, which aims to bring about repentance and ultimately, reconciliation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:4, with its stark pronouncement of judgment, the loss of a divinely granted heritage, and the experience of serving enemies due to sin, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The "heritage" lost by Israel due to their unfaithfulness points to the greater spiritual inheritance that all humanity forfeited through the Fall and continued sin, an inheritance that Christ came to restore. Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus bore the full "fire" of God's righteous anger against sin, becoming the propitiation for our unrighteousness (as powerfully articulated in Romans 3:25). He endured the ultimate "discontinuation" from His Father's immediate presence on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), so that we, who were once "enemies" of God due to our sin (Romans 5:10), might be reconciled to Him and receive an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance in the heavenly places (1 Peter 1:4). Believers in Christ are no longer subject to the curse of spiritual exile but are brought near to God, adopted as His children, and made citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Thus, what Judah lost through their sin and disobedience, believers gain eternally and spiritually through Christ's redemptive work, transforming a prophecy of judgment into a profound promise of grace, restoration, and an everlasting inheritance.