Meaning of Jeremiah 11:17 in Plain English
Jeremiah 17:17 reads, "Don’t be a terror to me: you are my refuge in the day of evil" [1]. This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah 17 (verses 5-18) that contrasts the curse of trusting in humanity with the blessing of trusting in God [8]. The prophet Jeremiah expresses his personal plea to God amidst the broader message of judgment against Judah for their idolatry and misplaced trust [3, 8].
The immediate context of Jeremiah 17 involves God's indictment of the Jewish people for their deep-seated idolatry, which is described as being "engraved with an iron pen" on their hearts and altars [3]. The chapter also condemns their reliance on "an arm of flesh" rather than on God, promising a curse for those who trust in humans and a blessing for those who trust in the Lord [2, 8]. Jeremiah 17:11-13, for instance, speaks of the fate of those who gain wealth unjustly, contrasting it with the Lord's faithfulness [5].
Jeremiah's prayer in verses 14-18 follows these general reflections, where he affirms his own trust in the Lord [5]. In verse 17, Jeremiah asks God not to become a source of terror for him, but rather to remain his refuge during times of trouble [1, 6]. This reflects the prophet's personal struggle and his need for divine protection from his enemies, who were provoked by his faithful denunciations [4, 7]. The phrase "Don't be a terror to me" signifies Jeremiah's fear of God abandoning him, implying that if God remains with him, he has no fear of human adversaries [6].
The prophet's appeal for healing, salvation, and vindication in this passage underscores his belief that only the Lord can provide these things, making God alone worthy of praise [7]. This prayer serves as a testament to Jeremiah's personal commitment to the Lord, even as he delivers messages of judgment to his people [5].
Sources
- Jeremiah “Don’t be a terror to me: you are my refuge in the day of evil. -- Jeremiah 17:17”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 17 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 17 This chapter is a further prophecy of the destruction of the Jews, with the causes of it, their sins, as their idolatry, which was notorious; of which their own consciences, their altars, and their children, were witnesses, Jer 17:1 for which they are threatened with the spoil of their substance and treasure, and discontinuance in their land, Jer 17:3 as also their confidence in an arm of flesh, which brought the curse of God upon them, when such are blessed that trust in him; and the difference between those that trust in ”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 17 (introduction): In this chapter, I. God convicts the Jews of the sin of idolatry by the notorious evidence of the fact, and condemns them to captivity for it (Jer 17:1-4). II. He shows them the folly of all their carnal confidences, which should stand them in no stead when God's time came to contend with them, and that this was one of the sins upon which his controversy with them was grounded (Jer 17:5-11). III. The prophet makes his appeal and address to God upon occasion of the malice of his enemies against him, committing himself to the divine protection, and be”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 17:14: Prayer of the prophet for deliverance from the enemies whom he excited by his faithful denunciations. Heal . . . save--not only make me whole (as to the evils of soul as well as body which I am exposed to by contact with ungodly foes, Jer 15:18), but keep me so. my praise--He whom I have to praise for past favors, and therefore to whom alone I look for the time to come.”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 17:11: 17:11-18 Jeremiah affirmed that he had learned this lesson and did indeed trust in the Lord. 17:11-13 Jeremiah commended the Lord’s faithfulness to his people, in contrast to the fate awaiting those who turned away from the Lord. 17:11 Jeremiah cited a general principle (cp. Ps 73) that was not necessarily universal (Job 21:27-33): Those who have gained wealth by unjust means eventually lose those riches.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 17:17: a terror--namely, by deserting me: all I fear is Thine abandoning me; if Thou art with me, I have no fear of evil from enemies.”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 17:14: 17:14-18 Jeremiah asked that since he had been faithful to the Lord, the Lord would rescue him from his persecutors and give him healing, salvation, and vindication. 17:14 Only the Lord can heal and save, so praises are due to him alone.”
- Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 17:5: Further Confirmation of this Announcement in General Reflections concerning the Sources of Ruin and of well-being. - This portion falls into two halves: a. On the sources of ruin and of well-being (Jer 17:5-18); b. On the way to life (Jer 17:18-27). The reflections of the first half show the curse of confidence in man and the blessings of confidence in God the Lord, Jer 17:5-13; to which is joined, Jer 17:14-18, a prayer of the prophet for deliverance from his enemies. Jer 17:5-6 "Thus saith Jahveh: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his ”