17:1 an iron stylus A stylus used for inscribing wood, metal, or stone. Such engravings were meant to be permanent; unlike writings on scrolls (using ink), they were not easily changed, removed, or damaged. The metaphor thus emphasizes the severity of Judah’s sin.

diamond The term used here is a rare word that seems to refer to a very hard stone. It probably describes a hard mineral such as emery. The hard point was necessary for engraving.

the tablet of their heart Implies that their hearts are hard like a stone tablet. Compare Ezek 11:19; 36:26.

the horns of their altars Projections at the corners of the altar; used for both ritual and practical purposes. See note on Exod 27:2.

17:2 poles of Asherah worship Carved wooden poles (Judg 6:25) or living trees (Deut 16:21) used as symbols of fertility; connected with worship of the goddess Asherah. See note on Deut 16:21.

the leafy trees on the high hills A standard phrase indicating sites devoted to Canaanite gods. See Deut 12:2 and note; 1 Kgs 14:23 and note; compare Jer 2:20; 3:6; Ezek 6:13; 20:28. The “high hills” likely refer to high places, which are mentioned explicitly in Jer 17:3 (see 2:20 and note).

17:3 your wealth, all your treasures Compare 15:13.

17:4 in the land that you do not know Compare 15:14.

17:5 Cursed is the person The consequences of turning away from Yahweh to trust in any human institution of power will be negative.

17:6 the wilderness The arid wasteland around the Dead Sea. This wilderness region, which stretches south to the Gulf of Aqaba, receives little precipitation. The ground is mainly sand and gravel, and the only plants growing there are shrubs that require little water.

17:7 Blessed be the person Describes positive benefits from trusting Yahweh, the opposite of v. 5.

17:8 like a tree planted by water A tree planted by a desert oasis or spring would have a continual water source. Trusting in Yahweh is likened to being continually connected to a source of life-giving water (see v. 13). Compare Psa 1:3.

17:9 The heart is deceitful more than anything else Refers to human thoughts and feelings. The Hebrew term for the heart metaphorically refers to a person’s inner life—the will, thoughts, motivations, and emotions. This is a different understanding than “heart” in modern Western thinking, which primarily indicates the seat of emotions.

Who can understand it? Only Yahweh understands the thoughts and motivations of His creation (Jer 17:10).

17:12 A lofty throne of glory Refers to the temple. See note on 14:21.

17:13 the fountain of living water See note on v. 8. Compare John 10:4–14.

17:15 Where is the word of Yahweh? Jeremiah’s persecutors mock him because the disaster he prophesied has not yet come.

17:16 I have not run away from being a shepherd who follows you He has faithfully carried out his responsibility to care for Israel’s spiritual well-being by warning them to repent.

17:19 the People’s Gate Jeremiah is to start at this gate and continue to all of Jerusalem’s gates—areas with high traffic and commercial activity.

17:21 you must not carry a burden on the day of the Sabbath Work was forbidden on the Sabbath (Exod 20:10; 31:14–15; Lev 23:3). The penalty for working on the Sabbath was death. See Num 15:32–36.

the gates of Jerusalem Jeremiah preached at the gates because that is where all the people who buy, sell, and cross in and out of the city would pass. Jeremiah is criticizing people for working on the Sabbath. Compare Nehemiah’s distress at the blatant commercial activity conducted on the Sabbath in postexilic Jerusalem (see Neh 13:15–19).

17:22 any work The law forbids working on the Sabbath but does not define what qualifies as work.

17:23 Yet they did not listen Compare the continual refusal to repent in Jer 5:3 and 8:5.

17:24 to do on it any work By working on the Sabbath, the people were treating it like any other day, not setting it apart as special and sacred.

17:25 the throne of David Promises the continuation of the Davidic monarchy. The continued existence of kings from the Davidic line was threatened by the likelihood of invasion. King Jehoiachin is part of the first group of Jews taken into exile in 597 bc.

17:26 all around Jerusalem The geographical areas mentioned here are those closest to Jerusalem, giving them the easiest access to the temple for worship.

the land of Benjamin The area just north of Jerusalem. Technically, the city of Jerusalem itself was in land allotted to Benjamin.

Shephelah The low hills separating the coastal plain from the central hill country.

Negev The southern region of Judah. See note on 13:19.

burnt offerings This verse lists the full range of offerings brought to the temple. On burnt offerings, sacrifices, and frankincense, see note on 6:20; compare note on Lev 1:2; note on Lev 1:3; note on Lev 2:1; note on Lev 3:1.