HEBREW WORD STUDY – CURSE – ‘ARUR ארור   Aleph Resh Vav Resh

Jeremiah 17:5: “Thus saith the Lord, ‘Curse be the man that trust in man and makes flesh his arm and whose heart turns away from God.”  

Jeremiah lived at the same time as Nahum.  However, where Nahum dealt with the coming destruction of nations opposing Judah, Jeremiah dealt with the sins of Judah and their future destruction.  Jeremiah focused on the fact that although King Josiah was purging the nation of idolatry, yet idolatry still remained in the hearts of the people.  Jeremiah continued to prophesy for the 23 years after the death of King Josiah up to the time of the Babylonian Captivity.  The people refused to believe that destruction was at hand. They looked around at their prosperity, the temple, and their religious life and could not believe that it would all end.  They were, after all, God’s people, they had the temple, and surely God would not bring down his temple. 

Yet, their belief system was corrupted with the system of the world. The word curse here is the Hebrew word ‘arur  which carries the idea of being without protection and in this context without the protection of God.  It is interesting that the word rendered as man here is gavar which is a mighty man, leader, governmental, religious, and/or family leader. The word trust is batach which is to weld yourself to something or someone. It is interesting that this curse is upon a mighty man or leader with welds himself to adam a man of the earth, a physical human.  In this context, it refers to a leader who clings to human reason, power, influence, and resource of a human man. In so doing he forfeits his protection from God.  The word flesh is basar which is a reference to the counsel of man and the word arm is zara’ which refers to the primary source of nourishment and financial security.  Thus, this is a mighty man, a gavar who finds comfort in his power, influence and the resources of humans will have a heart that turns away from God.  

The leader, governmental, spiritual or even business who clings to the wisdom and power of man and makes their counsel, power or influence his source of security will not only withdraw from God but will also pervert the message of God. The consequence will be that he will be without the power and protection of God. 

On the surface it looked like revival came to Judah, yet, secretly they still paid tribute to the queen of heaven (Ashrash) who they saw as their source of security in hard times. The still worshipped Baal which included Molech, passing their children through the fire.  History shows these “children” were newborn babies.  They were offered by parents who did not want the responsibility of time and the financial burden of children and this was a legal way to resolve the conflict.  Many have likened this to abortion.  

Jeremiah described the fourfold judgment that would fall on the nation in a 20 year period. First, there was economic collapse resulting in famine and starvation.  Next violence would break out forcing people to hide in their homes. Then there would come a plague and finally the Babylonian army taking them captive.  

Yet, those who put their trust in God rather than their own abilities or that of others moved in the power and protection of God.  This would include Jeremiah who was treated with respect and even honors by the invading Babylonians (mainly because he encouraged Judah to surrender to the Babylonians), as well as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo.  The nation may have fallen on hard times, but those who made God their only source prospered.  It may not fit your definition of prosperity but they were blessed none the less.