King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:13 in the King James Version says “O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Jeremiah 17:13 · KJV


Context

11

As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. sitteth: or, gathereth young which she hath not brought forth

12

A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.

13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

15

Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents God as "the hope of Israel"—the covenant people's ultimate source of security, prosperity, and salvation. The Hebrew miqveh (מִקְוֵה, hope) also means "pool" or "gathering of waters," playing on the metaphor developed in the phrase "fountain of living waters" (meqor mayim chayim, מְקוֹר מַיִם חַיִּים). God Himself is the life-giving source His people need.

Those who "forsake thee shall be ashamed"—the shame (yevoshu, יֵבֹשׁוּ) is public disgrace when their false hopes prove empty. "They that depart from me shall be written in the earth" contrasts with having one's name written in heaven (Luke 10:20) or in God's book of life (Rev 20:15). Being written in dust means mortality, impermanence, and judgment—their names and legacy will vanish.

The "fountain of living waters" imagery appears throughout Jeremiah (2:13, 17:13) and finds fulfillment in Christ, who offers living water that becomes an eternal spring within believers (John 4:10-14, 7:37-39). To forsake this fountain for broken cisterns (created things, false gods, self-reliance) is the height of folly. Only Christ satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Water scarcity made fountains and springs precious in ancient Palestine. "Living water" (mayim chayim) referred to flowing water from springs, contrasted with stagnant cistern water. Cisterns were common but prone to cracks, making them unreliable. The prophets used this imagery to condemn idolatry—exchanging the reliable, life-giving God for worthless substitutes (Jer 2:13, Isa 55:1-2). The metaphor would resonate powerfully with an audience dependent on water sources for survival.

Reflection Questions

  1. What broken cisterns (false sources of life and satisfaction) are you tempted to dig for yourself?
  2. How does forsaking God as the fountain of living waters lead to inevitable shame and disappointment?
  3. In what ways does Christ uniquely fulfill the promise of being living water that eternally satisfies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מִקְוֵ֤ה1 of 16

the hope

H4723

something waited for, i.e., a collection, i.e., (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙2 of 16

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 16

O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כָּל4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עָזְב֛וּ5 of 16

all that forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ6 of 16

thee shall be ashamed

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

יְסוּרַי֙7 of 16

and they that depart

H3249

departing

בָּאָ֣רֶץ8 of 16

in the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ9 of 16

shall be written

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

כִּ֥י10 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָזְב֛וּ11 of 16

all that forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

מְק֥וֹר12 of 16

the fountain

H4726

properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);

מַֽיִם13 of 16

waters

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

חַיִּ֖ים14 of 16

of living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אֶת15 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 17:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 17:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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