Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 17:6

"For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited." — Jeremiah 17:6 (ASV)

Like the heath in the desert. — The word translated as heath is, literally, bare or naked, and for this reason is translated as “destitute” in Psalm 102:17. Therefore, this meaning has been assigned to it here by some recent commentators.

No picture of desolation could be more complete than that of a man utterly destitute, yet inhabiting the parched places of the wilderness. However, all the older versions, including the Targum, and some of the best modern commentators (e.g., Ewald), interpret the word as describing the “heath” or other similar shrubs standing alone in a barren land.

A similar word with the same meaning is found in Jeremiah 48:6, and means “juniper” in Arabic. Both views are tenable. However, the latter view, being a bolder likeness and balancing the comparison to a tree planted by the waters in Jeremiah 17:8, is more in the style of a poet-prophet.

There is something weak in saying, “A man shall be like a destitute man.” The word translated as “desert” (arabah) is specifically applied to the Jordan valley (sometimes, indeed, to its more fertile parts). Its connection here with salt land points to the wild, barren land of the Jordan as it flows into the Dead Sea (Deuteronomy 29:23).

Shall not see when good comes. — These words describe the yearning that has been so often disappointed that finally, when the brighter day dawns, he is blind to the signs of its approach. It comes too late, just as rain falls too late on the dead or withered heath.