¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
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}.
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.
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.
Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.
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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!
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."
Commentary
This verse is a strong declaration from God through the prophet Jeremiah during a time of political and spiritual crisis in Judah. The nation often wavered between trusting in alliances with foreign powers (like Egypt) for security and trusting in God.
The core message here is a stark warning against misplaced trust. To "trusteth in man" and "maketh flesh his arm" means relying on human strength, resources, power, or systems as the primary source of security and support. "Flesh" (Hebrew: basar) often represents humanity in its weakness and mortality, contrasting with God's divine power. The "arm" (Hebrew: zeroa) symbolizes strength and power. Relying on human strength is depicted as futile and cursed.
The consequence of this misplaced trust is that the "heart departeth from the LORD." When our confidence is rooted in human ability or earthly things, our focus and affection naturally shift away from God, who is the true source of life and strength.
The verse serves as a foundational principle: ultimate trust belongs to God alone. Placing ultimate reliance on anything or anyone other than God leads to spiritual barrenness and is under divine disapproval.
Cross-References
Practical Application
This verse challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust today. Do we rely more on our jobs, our finances, political leaders, human ingenuity, or our own abilities than on God? It calls for a conscious decision to anchor our hope and confidence in the LORD, recognizing that human resources are limited and fragile compared to His eternal power and faithfulness.