And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.

JEREMIAH 17:4KJV
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Jeremiah 17:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:4 mean?

Jeremiah 17:4 says that the people of Judah will lose the land and blessings God gave them and will be forced to serve their enemies in a foreign country because they have provoked God’s anger. The verse describes a consequence for their actions: exile and loss of their heritage due to their disobedience.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming judgment. The historical setting is a time when Judah was turning away from God, worshiping other gods, and breaking their covenant. The verse uses strong language to show that their choices have led to a breaking point, and now they will face the loss of everything they once received from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:4

  • "discontinue" (שָׁמַט, shamat): This word often means to let go or release. Here, it emphasizes that the people will be cut off from their inheritance, not just temporarily, but in a way that severs their connection to the land.
  • "heritage" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word means an inherited portion, often land given by God. The loss of "heritage" highlights that what is being taken away is not just property, but a gift and identity from God.
  • "serve" (עָבַד, avad): This word means to work for or be a servant to someone. The verse stresses that the people will become servants to their enemies, a reversal of their intended role as God’s chosen people.
  • "anger" (אַף, aph): This word literally means "nose" or "face," but is used for anger, especially the kind that is visible and intense. The verse says the people have "kindled a fire" in God’s anger, showing the seriousness of their actions.

Why Jeremiah 17:4 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:4 clarifies that the loss of land and freedom is not random but directly connected to the people's choices and actions against God.
  • The verse highlights how the relationship between God and His people includes both blessings and consequences, depending on their faithfulness.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Jeremiah, which repeatedly warns Judah about the results of turning away from God, making the coming exile a fulfillment of these warnings rather than a surprise.

Where else these words appear

“kindled” Hebrew H6919 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
  • Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
  • Isaiah 64:2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

“discontinue” Hebrew H8058 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 23:11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.
  • Deuteronomy 15:3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;
  • 2 Kings 9:33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

“burn” Hebrew H3344 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 6:9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
  • Leviticus 6:13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
  • Isaiah 30:14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

“for” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
  • Job 18:2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.