Discovery Box2 Kings 14:5
Context14:5 When he had secured control of the kingdom, 1 he executed the servants who had assassinated his father. 2
Jeremiah 17:5
Context17:5 The Lord says,
“I will put a curse on people
who trust in mere human beings,
who depend on mere flesh and blood for their strength, 4
and whose hearts 5 have turned away from the Lord.
[14:5] 1 tn Heb “when the kingdom was secure in his hand.”
[14:5] 2 tn Heb “he struck down his servants, the ones who had struck down the king, his father.”
[17:5] 3 sn Verses 5-11 are a collection of wisdom-like sayings (cf. Ps 1) which set forth the theme of the two ways and their consequences. It has as its background the blessings and the curses of Deut 28 and the challenge to faith in Deut 29-30 which climaxes in Deut 30:15-20. The nation is sinful and God is weary of showing them patience. However, there is hope for individuals within the nation if they will trust in him.
[17:5] 4 tn Heb “who make flesh their arm.” The “arm” is the symbol of strength and the flesh is the symbol of mortal man in relation to the omnipotent God. The translation “mere flesh and blood” reflects this.
[17:5] 5 sn In the psychology of ancient Hebrew thought the heart was the center not only of the emotions but of the thoughts and motivations. It was also the seat of moral conduct (cf. its placement in the middle of the discussion of moral conduct in Prov 4:20-27, i.e., in v. 23).
