Jeremiah 17:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:13 mean?

Jeremiah 17:13 describes how those who abandon the LORD, who is the true hope of Israel, will experience shame and loss, pictured as their names being written in the earth because they have turned away from God, the source of living water. The verse warns that forsaking God leads to emptiness and disgrace, since He alone gives life and hope.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of turning away from God. The image of names written in the earth suggests something temporary and easily erased, in contrast to being remembered or honored by God. Jeremiah calls God the "fountain of living waters," emphasizing that only God can truly satisfy and sustain His people.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:13

• "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting a covenant relationship with Israel.
• "hope" (מִקְוֵה, miqveh): This word can mean "hope" or "gathering," but here it points to God as the one Israel relies on for security and future.
• "forsake" (עָזַב, azav): This verb means to abandon or leave behind, stressing the seriousness of turning away from God.
• "fountain" (מָקוֹר, maqor) and "living" (חַי, chai) "waters" (מַיִם, mayim): Together, these words describe God as the source of fresh, life-giving water, a powerful image of spiritual vitality and sustenance.

Why Jeremiah 17:13 matters

• Jeremiah 17:13 clarifies that shame and loss are the natural results of abandoning God, not just arbitrary punishments.
• The contrast between names written in the earth and God as the fountain of living waters highlights the difference between fleeting human efforts and lasting divine provision.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, where Jeremiah warns against trusting in human strength instead of God, showing that true hope and life come only from a relationship with the LORD.