Jeremiah 17:13

Shall be written in the earth— "Their name shall be written in the dust, the least wind shall obliterate it." This is a proverbial manner of speaking, parallel to that of the Latins, who, speaking of vain and false promises, say that they are written on water; or, perhaps, to be written upon earth, may be put in opposition with the writing in heaven in the book of life. "The wicked may make themselves a name upon the earth; but this is all their portion; they shall be blotted out of the book of life." See Calmet. Houbigant renders the clause, The rebellious shall be extirpated from the earth, because, &c.