Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

JEREMIAH 17:5KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:5 mean?

Jeremiah 17:5 warns that anyone who puts their trust in human strength or ability, instead of relying on the LORD, brings a curse upon themselves. The verse says that turning away from God and depending on mere people leads to spiritual danger and loss.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah, who were tempted to seek security in alliances with other nations or in their own power. The verse uses strong language to show the seriousness of abandoning trust in the LORD (H3068) and instead making “flesh” (H1320), meaning human strength, their “arm” (H2220), or source of support. Jeremiah is calling out the danger of letting the heart (H3820) turn away (H5493) from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:5

  • "Cursed" (אָרוּר, 'arur' – H779) means to be under a divine sentence of harm or misfortune, not just unlucky or unfortunate. This highlights how serious the consequences are for misplaced trust.
  • "Man" (אִישׁ, 'ish' – H1397) and "man" (אָדָם, 'adam' – H120) are both used, showing a contrast: the first refers to an individual, the second to humanity in general. The verse warns against trusting any human, whether a specific person or people in general.
  • "Flesh" (בָּשָׂר, 'basar' – H1320) and "arm" (זְרוֹעַ, 'zeroa' – H2220) together paint a picture of relying on human strength or resources, which are limited and unreliable compared to God.
  • "Departeth" (יָסוּר, 'yasur' – H5493) means to turn aside or move away, showing that trusting in people is not just an action but a turning of the heart away from God.

Why Jeremiah 17:5 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:5 clears up the idea that trusting in people or human systems is spiritually neutral; instead, it shows that such trust can actually separate someone from God’s blessing.
  • The verse emphasizes that the real issue is not just outward actions, but the direction of the heart—whether it is turned toward or away from the LORD.
  • In the wider context, Jeremiah is warning Judah that their political alliances and self-reliance will fail them, and only God is a trustworthy foundation.

Where else these words appear

“Cursed” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
  • Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

“man” Hebrew H1397 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 10:11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
  • Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
  • Proverbs 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“trusteth” Hebrew H982 · used in 117 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
  • Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
  • Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: