Jeremiah 17:6
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
in the desert
H6160
בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
in the desert
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
3 of 15
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִרְאֶ֖ה
and shall not see
H7200
יִרְאֶ֖ה
and shall not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֑וֹב
when good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
when good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
8 of 15
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְשָׁכַ֤ן
but shall inhabit
H7931
וְשָׁכַ֤ן
but shall inhabit
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
9 of 15
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
11 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
Cross References
Job 20:17He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.Psalms 1:4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.Deuteronomy 29:23And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:Job 39:6Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.Jeremiah 48:6Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.Judges 9:45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.Zephaniah 2:9Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
Historical Context
The desert imagery would resonate powerfully with Jeremiah's audience, living in a land where water sources determined survival and prosperity. The wilderness represented chaos, death, and divine judgment—the opposite of the promised land flowing with milk and honey. To inhabit the salt lands recalled Sodom's judgment (Gen 19:24-25) and Israel's warnings about covenant curses (Deut 29:22-28).
Questions for Reflection
- Have you experienced seasons of spiritual dryness because you trusted in human resources rather than God?
- How might someone 'not see when good cometh' due to hardness of heart or spiritual blindness?
- In what ways does Christ offer living water that transforms our wilderness into flourishing life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The imagery of "heath in the desert" (Hebrew ar'ar, עֲרָעָר—likely a juniper or tamarisk shrub) depicts barrenness and isolation. This scraggly bush survives in harsh desert conditions but never flourishes. The person who trusts in human strength becomes spiritually stunted, unable to recognize or receive divine blessing even when it arrives ("shall not see when good cometh").
The "parched places in the wilderness" and "salt land and not inhabited" emphasize desolation and fruitlessness. Salt lands were proverbial for curse and judgment (Deut 29:23, Judg 9:45). Unlike the blessed person compared to a fruitful tree by water (v. 8), the cursed person inhabits spiritual wasteland—disconnected from life-giving relationship with God.
This passage illustrates the doctrine of common grace and its absence for the persistently rebellious. God may send temporal blessings, but those whose hearts have departed from Him cannot perceive or enjoy them as divine gifts. They remain in self-imposed exile from the fountain of living waters (v. 13). Only Christ can transform our wilderness into streams (Isa 35:6-7), making spiritual flourishing possible.