Jeremiah 17:5

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Cursed {H779} be the man {H1397} that trusteth {H982} in man {H120}, and maketh {H7760} flesh {H1320} his arm {H2220}, and whose heart {H3820} departeth {H5493} from the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: "A curse on the person who trusts in humans, who relies on merely human strength, whose heart turns away from ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:5 delivers a solemn divine pronouncement, declaring a curse upon any individual who places their ultimate confidence and reliance in human strength, resources, or systems, rather than anchoring their trust in the Almighty God. This misplaced dependence is vividly portrayed as making "flesh his arm," signifying a reliance on finite, mortal power, which inevitably leads to a spiritual alienation where the heart turns away from the Lord, the true source of life and security. The verse serves as a foundational theological statement on the dangers of anthropocentric trust and the necessity of divine reliance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 17:5 stands as a pivotal declaration within a broader prophetic discourse that contrasts the consequences of trusting in humanity versus trusting in the Lord. The preceding verses [Jeremiah 17:1-4](/jeremiah/17-1 "Jeremiah 17:1-4 - Judah's Sin and Punishment") detail Judah's deep-seated sin of idolatry, etched "with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond" upon their hearts and altars, leading to their impending exile and desolation. Immediately following this verse, [Jeremiah 17:7-8](/jeremiah/17-7 "Jeremiah 17:7-8 - The Blessedness of Trusting in the Lord") offers a powerful counterpoint, describing the blessedness of the one who trusts in the Lord, likening them to a tree planted by water, yielding fruit and enduring drought. Thus, Jeremiah 17:5 serves as the stark "cursed" counterpart to the "blessed" promise, forming a powerful chiasm of trust and its outcomes. The entire chapter grapples with the deceitfulness of the human heart and the Lord's omniscient judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). Judah faced constant geopolitical pressures, caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining influence of Egypt. In their desperation, the kings and people of Judah frequently sought alliances with foreign nations, particularly Egypt, for military and political security, rather than relying on God's promised protection. This reliance on human armies, treaties, and political maneuvering—"making flesh his arm"—was a recurring theme of Jeremiah's condemnation, seen as a direct betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh. The cultural norm of seeking powerful alliances was a practical, but spiritually disastrous, response to existential threats.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Autonomy**, emphasizing that true security and blessing derive solely from God, not from human ingenuity or strength. It highlights the **Consequences of Idolatry and Misplaced Trust**, where trusting in "man" or "flesh" is a form of idolatry, diverting allegiance from the one true God. The verse also introduces the critical theme of the **Condition of the Heart**, asserting that the heart's disposition—whether it trusts in God or departs from Him—is central to one's spiritual state and destiny, a theme further explored in [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart"). This warning against relying on human strength resonates with the broader biblical narrative that consistently calls God's people to exclusive trust in Him, as seen in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord's Name") and [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man (Hebrew, _geber'_):** From H1397, this term refers to a "valiant man or warrior," or generally "a person simply." In this context, it emphasizes humanity in its strength, capability, and self-reliance, which, when made the object of ultimate trust, stands in stark contrast to the infinite power of God. The curse is not on humanity itself, but on the act of placing ultimate, saving trust *in* humanity's limited capacity.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, "flesh" denotes the physical, mortal, and inherently weak aspect of human existence. It signifies humanity's transient and finite nature, often used in biblical thought to contrast with the eternal and spiritual nature of God. To "make flesh his arm" is to rely on this fragile, earthly power, which is ultimately insufficient and prone to failure when compared to divine omnipotence.
* **Departeth (Hebrew, _çûwr'_):** From H5493, this verb means "to turn off, remove, or withdraw." It describes a deliberate spiritual movement away from the Lord. This departure is presented as a direct consequence of misplaced trust: when one's confidence is rooted in human strength, the heart naturally shifts its allegiance and affection away from God, leading to spiritual alienation and a severance of the life-giving relationship with Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD;":** This opening phrase, a common prophetic formula, establishes the divine authority and absolute truthfulness of the declaration that follows. It signals that the subsequent words are not merely human opinion or wisdom, but a direct revelation from Yahweh, the self-existent and covenant-keeping God (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_).
* **"Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, ":** This is the core of the divine pronouncement. The "curse" (H779, _ʼârar'_) signifies divine disapproval and the inevitable negative consequences that follow. The "man" (H1397, _geber'_) who "trusteth" (H982, _bâṭach'_, meaning to hide for refuge, be confident) in "man" (H120, _ʼâdâm'_, humanity in general) is one who places their security, hope, and ultimate reliance in human ability, wisdom, or power. The parallel phrase, "maketh flesh (H1320, _bâsâr'_) his arm (H2220, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_, symbolizing strength and power)," vividly illustrates this misplaced trust. It means to depend on human weakness and mortality as one's primary source of strength and support, rather than on the divine.
* **"and whose heart departeth from the LORD.":** This final clause reveals the spiritual consequence and inherent nature of such misplaced trust. When one's ultimate confidence is placed in humanity, the "heart" (H3820, _lêb'_, the seat of intellect, will, and emotion) inevitably "departeth" (H5493, _çûwr'_, turns away, withdraws) from the Lord (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_). This is not merely a behavioral deviation but a fundamental shift in allegiance and affection, leading to a spiritual separation from the source of all life and blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism** in the phrases "trusteth in man" and "maketh flesh his arm." Both clauses convey the same core idea: reliance on human strength. This repetition reinforces the central warning and adds emphasis. Secondly, the verse utilizes **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. "Flesh" (basar) serves as a **metaphor** for human weakness, mortality, and finite capacity, contrasting sharply with divine omnipotence. The "arm" (zeroa) is a powerful **symbol** of strength, power, and capability. To "make flesh his arm" is a vivid **metaphor** for relying on inadequate, human-derived strength. Finally, the structure of the verse itself, beginning with "Thus saith the LORD," is an example of a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending absolute authority and solemnity to the pronouncement. The stark **Contrast** between the cursed state of human-centered trust and the implied blessedness of divine trust (explicitly stated in the following verses) further amplifies the message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:5 encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: the object of our ultimate trust determines our spiritual vitality and destiny. Theologically, it asserts God's exclusive claim as the sole reliable source of strength, security, and blessing. To trust in "man" or "flesh" is to commit a form of practical idolatry, elevating human capacity above divine omnipotence, and inevitably leading to spiritual barrenness and separation from God. This principle is not merely a moral injunction but a description of spiritual reality: where our trust lies, there our heart will also be, either drawing closer to the life-giving Lord or departing from Him into a state of curse. This verse challenges all forms of self-reliance and anthropocentric confidence, calling humanity to acknowledge its inherent limitations and God's boundless sufficiency.

* [Jeremiah 17:7-8](/jeremiah/17-7 "Jeremiah 17:7-8 - The Blessedness of Trusting in the Lord")
* [Psalm 146:3-5](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3-5 - Do Not Put Your Trust in Princes")
* [Isaiah 31:1-3](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1-3 - Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:5 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine the foundations of our security and hope in contemporary life. In a world that often exalts human achievement, technological advancement, financial stability, or political power as ultimate solutions, this verse sternly reminds us of their inherent fragility and limitations. It challenges us to ask whether our primary confidence rests in our own abilities, our accumulated wealth, the wisdom of human institutions, or the strength of influential people. When our trust is rooted in these temporal "arms of flesh," our hearts subtly, yet inevitably, begin to drift away from the Lord, leading to spiritual dryness and a sense of ultimate futility. True security and flourishing are found only when our hope is anchored in the unchanging character and unfailing power of God, allowing Him to be our ultimate strength and guide in all circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely more on human ingenuity or resources than on God's provision and guidance?**
* **How might my "heart depart from the LORD" when I place excessive trust in earthly security, such as my job, finances, or social status?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to intentionally shift my trust from "flesh" to the Lord in a specific area of concern?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "make flesh his arm" in Jeremiah 17:5?**

Answer: To "make flesh his arm" is a powerful metaphorical expression meaning to place one's ultimate confidence, strength, and reliance in human ability, resources, or power, rather than in God. The "arm" (Hebrew: _zᵉrôwaʻ_) symbolizes strength and capability, while "flesh" (Hebrew: _bâsâr'_) represents humanity in its inherent weakness, mortality, and finite nature. Therefore, to make "flesh his arm" means to depend on limited, earthly, and transient human strength as one's primary source of security, help, or salvation. This stands in direct contrast to relying on the infinite, eternal, and unfailing power of God, as highlighted by other Scriptures like [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord's Name") which states, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." It implies a spiritual misdirection, where human effort or worldly systems are elevated to a position that only God should occupy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:5, with its stark warning against trusting in "man" and "flesh," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The curse pronounced upon those who rely on human strength stands in direct contrast to the blessing found in Christ, who is God incarnate, the ultimate embodiment of divine strength and faithfulness. Humanity's "flesh" proved utterly incapable of saving itself from sin and its consequences; indeed, it was the very "flesh" of humanity that required redemption. God, in His infinite wisdom, did not send more human strength, but rather sent His Son, Jesus, who, though fully human, was also fully divine, demonstrating that true power and salvation come from God alone, not from human effort or wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men")). The "arm" of the Lord, symbolizing His redemptive power, is fully revealed in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, where He conquered sin and death, providing the only true and lasting salvation ([Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - The Arm of the Lord Revealed")). Therefore, to "trust in man" is to reject the sufficiency of Christ, whereas placing our faith in Jesus means entrusting ourselves to the very "arm" of God, finding in Him the ultimate source of life, hope, and eternal security, and ensuring our hearts remain steadfastly with the Lord ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking Unto Jesus")).

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

Psalms 118:8

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 118:9

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

Psalms 146:4

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Isaiah 2:22

Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

2 Chronicles 32:8

With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Isaiah 31:1

¶ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!