New International Version The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? New Living Translation “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? English Standard Version The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Berean Standard Bible The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Berean Literal Bible The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick—who can know it? King James Bible The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? New King James Version “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? New American Standard Bible “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? NASB 1995 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? NASB 1977 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Legacy Standard Bible “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can know it? Amplified Bible “The heart is deceitful above all things And it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? Berean Annotated Bible The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Christian Standard Bible The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? Holman Christian Standard Bible The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? American Standard Version The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? Contemporary English Version You people of Judah are so deceitful that you even fool yourselves, and you can't change. English Revised Version The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick: who can know it? GOD'S WORD® Translation "The human mind is the most deceitful of all things. It is incurable. No one can understand how deceitful it is. Good News Translation "Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed. International Standard Version "The heart is more deceitful than anything. It is incurable— who can know it? NET Bible The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it? New Heart English Bible The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? Webster's Bible Translation The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? World English Bible The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe heart [is] deceitful above all things, "" And it [is] incurable—who knows it? Berean Literal Bible The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick—who can know it? Young's Literal Translation Crooked is the heart above all things, And it is incurable -- who doth know it? Smith's Literal Translation The heart is deceitful above all, and man himself, who shall know him? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe heart is perverse above all things, and unsearchable, who can know it? Catholic Public Domain Version The heart is depraved above all things, and it is unsearchable, who can know it? New American Bible More tortuous than anything is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? New Revised Standard Version The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe heart is stubborn above all things; who can understand it? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The heart of every man is hard. Who knows it? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The heart is deceitful above all things, And it is exceeding weak--who can know it? Brenton Septuagint Translation The heart is deep beyond all things, and it is the man, and who can know him? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Sin and Punishment of Judah…8He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. 9The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.… Cross References The heart is deceitful above all things Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe. Mark 7:21-23 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.” Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. and beyond cure. Jeremiah 30:12-15 For this is what the LORD says: “Your injury is incurable; your wound is grievous. / There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you. / All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins. … Jeremiah 15:18 Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me—water that is not there. 2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. Who can understand it? 1 Kings 8:39 be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— Psalm 139:1-4 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. … 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Psalm 51:5 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead. Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Treasury of Scripture The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 16:12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Jump to Previous Able Corrupt Crooked Cure Deceitful Desperately Exceeding Exceedingly Heart Incurable Searched Sick Twisted Understand Weak WickedJump to Next Able Corrupt Crooked Cure Deceitful Desperately Exceeding Exceedingly Heart Incurable Searched Sick Twisted Understand Weak WickedJeremiah 17 1. The captivity of Judah for her sin.5. Trust in man is cursed; 7. in God is blessed. 9. The deceitful heart cannot deceive God. 12. The salvation of God. 15. The prophet complains of the mockers of his prophecy. 19. He is sent to renew the covenant in hallowing the Sabbath. The heart is deceitful above all things The human heart, encompassing the will, mind, and affections, is bent by sin toward rebellion against God and self-deception. Jeremiah spoke to Judah, whose outward religious practices concealed idolatry, injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness. From the fall of Adam onward, humanity has repeatedly trusted its own judgment rather than God’s word. Genesis 6:5 records that before the flood every inclination of man’s heart was continually evil, revealing a corruption that reaches deeper than outward conduct. Pro 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks… and beyond cure. Sin cannot be removed by moral effort, religious ceremony, or human reform. Judah’s repeated refusal to repent showed that external warnings and discipline could not heal a heart determined to depart from the Lord. God alone can give the cleansing and renewal humanity needs. He promised through Ezekiel to remove the heart of stone and give His people a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). That renewal is secured through Christ, whose atoning death and resurrection bring forgiveness and new life to all who believe. Jer 30:12-15 For this is what the LORD says: “Your injury is incurable;… Who can understand it? No person can fully discern the hidden motives, desires, and corruptions within his own heart. God alone searches the heart and tests the mind (Jeremiah 17:10), seeing what remains concealed from others and often from ourselves. Jesus likewise knew what was in man (John 2:24–25). The heart’s condition calls for humble dependence upon God, honest repentance, and the transforming work of His Spirit. 1Ki 8:39 For You alone know the hearts of all men—… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is often called the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the spiritual state of his people. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often rebuked by God through prophets like Jeremiah for its idolatry and disobedience. 3. The Heart In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") is the center of human will, emotions, and intellect. It is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being and decision-making. Teaching Points The Deceitful Nature of the HeartThe heart is inherently deceitful, leading us away from God's truth. We must recognize our need for divine guidance and transformation. The Need for Divine Understanding Only God can truly understand and judge the heart. We should seek His wisdom and discernment in evaluating our motives and actions. Guarding the Heart As believers, we are called to guard our hearts diligently, filling them with God's Word and aligning our desires with His will. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming our hearts, helping us to overcome deceit and live in accordance with God's truth. Repentance and Renewal Regular repentance and seeking God's renewal are essential for maintaining a heart that is aligned with His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 17:9?2. How does Jeremiah 17:9 describe the human heart's nature and condition? 3. What steps can we take to guard against a deceitful heart? 4. How does Jeremiah 17:9 connect with Proverbs 4:23 about guarding the heart? 5. In what ways can we seek God's wisdom to understand our hearts better? 6. How can Jeremiah 17:9 guide our daily decisions and actions? 7. How does Jeremiah 17:9 challenge the belief in human goodness? 8. What does Jeremiah 17:9 reveal about the nature of the human heart? 9. How does Jeremiah 17:9 align with the concept of original sin? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 17? What Does Jeremiah 17:9 Mean The heart• Scripture uses “heart” for the inner person—mind, will, emotions, and spirit. Proverbs 4:23 urges, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life”. • God looks past appearances to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). That makes what follows in Jeremiah especially sobering. • Jesus confirms the assessment: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander” (Matthew 15:19). • From Eden forward (Genesis 6:5), the core of humanity is the problem, not merely behavior or circumstances. Deceitful above all things • The heart’s first reflex is to mislead—even its owner. Romans 7:11 notes, “Sin deceived me.” • We rationalize sin, downplay guilt, and flatter ourselves (Psalm 36:2). • “Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). • James 1:14 shows how desire lures and entices. Our hearts can talk us into almost anything while assuring us we are fine. And beyond cure • The verse’s stark claim means no self-help regimen can fix us. We are “dead in trespasses” apart from divine intervention (Ephesians 2:1-5). • David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), admitting he cannot remodel it himself. • God promises what we cannot achieve: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). New birth (John 3:3-6) and washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5) are required, not mere tweaking. Who can understand it? • Humans cannot plumb the full depth of their own motives; we have blind spots we cannot see around. • Only the Lord has perfect insight: “O LORD, You search me and know me… before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it” (Psalm 139:1-4). • Hebrews 4:12-13 says the Word pierces “to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” leaving nothing hidden from His sight. • Because God alone truly knows us (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), we must let His Word and Spirit diagnose and transform us rather than trusting self-evaluation. summary Jeremiah 17:9 exposes the human condition: our inner person is fundamentally deceitful, incurably sick, and beyond our own comprehension. Scripture consistently affirms this diagnosis, yet it also offers the cure—God’s gracious gift of a new heart through the saving work of Christ and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. Our response is to distrust self, turn to the Lord, and allow His truth to remake us from the inside out. (9) The heart is deceitful . . .—The sequence of ideas seems as follows: If the blessing and the curse are thus so plainly marked, how is it that man chooses the curse and not the blessing, the portion of the “heath in the desert” rather than that of the “tree planted by the waters”? And the answer is found in the inscrutable self-deceit of his nature blinding his perceptions of good and evil.Desperately wicked.—Rather, incurably diseased, as in Jeremiah 15:18; Jeremiah 30:12; Jeremiah 30:15; Isaiah 17:11, and elsewhere. Wickedness is, of course, implied, but it is regarded rather as a moral taint following on the deliberate choice, than as the choice itself. Verses 9, 10. - The crocked devices of the human heart, which is characterized as deceitful above all things (or, as Delitzsch, ' Biblical Psychology,' English translation, p. 340, "proud;" literally, uneven or rugged; comp. Isaiah 40:4; Habakkuk 2:4, Hebrew; Psalm 131:2, Hebrew), and desperately wicked, or rather, desperately sick (see Jeremiah 15:18, where it is explained by the words, "which refuseth to be healed"). The Septuagint reads this verse differently, "The heart is deep above all things, and it is a man."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The heartהַלֵּ֛ב (hal·lêḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre [is] deceitful עָקֹ֥ב (‘ā·qōḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6121: Insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints above all things מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every and beyond cure— וְאָנֻ֣שׁ (wə·’ā·nuš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 605: To be frail, feeble, melancholy who מִ֖י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can understand it? יֵדָעֶֽנּוּ׃ (yê·ḏā·‘en·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3045: To know Additonal Resources Jeremiah 17:9 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 17:9 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 17:9 Bible.com Jeremiah 17:9 NIV |
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