Jeremiah 11:14

KJV

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear [them] in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore pray {H6419} not thou for this people {H5971}, neither lift up {H5375} a cry {H7440} or prayer {H8605} for them: for I will not hear {H8085} them in the time {H6256} that they cry {H7121} unto me for their trouble {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"So you, [Yirmeyahu,] don't pray for this people! Don't cry or pray on their behalf, because I won't listen to them when they cry to me because of their troubles.

Berean Standard Bible

As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.

American Standard Version

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me because of their trouble.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:14 delivers a stark divine command to the prophet Jeremiah, forbidding him from interceding on behalf of the people of Judah. This prohibition signifies the finality of God's judgment against a nation that has persistently broken His covenant through idolatry and disobedience. It underscores that the time for repentance and mercy through intercession has passed, and God's resolve to execute the announced consequences for their unrepentant sin is firm, indicating He will not respond favorably to their cries for deliverance when trouble inevitably arrives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11 is a pivotal chapter within the book, serving as a solemn declaration of God's broken covenant with Judah and Jerusalem. It opens with God reminding the people of the covenant established at the Exodus, emphasizing the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Jeremiah 11:1-5). The subsequent verses detail how Judah has flagrantly violated this covenant, turning to other gods and embracing evil practices, likening their actions to a "conspiracy" against the Lord (Jeremiah 11:9-10). Jeremiah 11:14, therefore, is a direct consequence of this deep-seated rebellion, following a detailed indictment of their spiritual adultery and the announcement of impending judgment. It marks a critical turning point, where divine patience has reached its limit, and intercession is no longer effective.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The people of Judah, despite repeated warnings from prophets, had fallen deep into idolatry, adopting the worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities, even sacrificing their children (as mentioned in [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Topheth and Child Sacrifice")). They had forsaken the Mosaic covenant, which was the foundational agreement defining their relationship with Yahweh. Culturally, their practices were a syncretistic blend of Yahwism and paganism, a direct affront to God's command for exclusive worship. Geographically, Jerusalem, the capital, was the epicenter of this spiritual decay, and the judgment prophesied would culminate in the city's destruction and the people's deportation to Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 11:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **Covenant Broken**, demonstrating the severe consequences when God's people persistently violate their sacred agreement with Him, as seen throughout [Jeremiah 11](/jeremiah/11 "Jeremiah 11 - The Broken Covenant"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Justice and Judgment**, revealing God's unwavering commitment to uphold His righteous standards, even if it means bringing severe discipline upon His own people. This verse is a stark illustration of the principle that there comes a point where unrepentant sin exhausts divine patience. Thirdly, it speaks to the **Futility of Late Repentance or Crisis Prayer** when a life of rebellion has been lived. The refusal to "hear" their cries in trouble (as also implied in [Proverbs 1:28](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28 - Wisdom's Call Rejected")) underscores that genuine repentance must precede, or at least accompany, a plea for mercy, not merely be a desperate cry in times of distress. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Burden**, as Jeremiah is commanded to cease his compassionate intercession, a deeply painful directive for a prophet who genuinely loved his people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pray (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** H6419. This primitive root means "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." In this context, it refers to the act of supplication or intercession on behalf of another. The command "pray not" indicates a divine cessation of the efficacy of such intercession for Judah, signaling that the judicial decision against them has been rendered.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam'_):** H5971. This term refers to "a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock." Here, it specifically denotes the covenant people of Israel/Judah, emphasizing that even God's chosen nation can reach a point where their persistent rebellion leads to such severe judgment that even prophetic intercession is disallowed.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085. This primitive root means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." While it can simply mean to perceive sound, its deeper theological meaning often implies listening with understanding, responding favorably, or obeying. In Jeremiah 11:14, God's declaration "I will not hear" signifies not merely a failure to perceive their cries, but a deliberate refusal to acknowledge, respond positively to, or act upon their pleas for deliverance when they are in trouble. It denotes a withdrawal of divine favor and responsiveness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore pray not thou for this people":** This is a direct, emphatic command from God to Jeremiah. The "therefore" links it directly to the preceding indictment of Judah's covenant breaking and idolatry. God explicitly forbids Jeremiah, His appointed prophet and intercessor, from offering prayers on behalf of the nation. This is a profound and painful instruction, indicating that the nation's spiritual condition has deteriorated to a point beyond the reach of even the most fervent intercession.
* **"neither lift up a cry or prayer for them":** This phrase reinforces the previous command with a parallel structure, using two distinct terms for supplication: "cry" (rinnâh, H7440, often a shrill sound of joy or grief) and "prayer" (tᵉphillâh, H8605, a general term for intercession). The repetition underscores the absolute nature of the prohibition. No form of earnest appeal, whether a desperate shout or a formal prayer, is to be offered, because it would be futile.
* **"for I will not hear [them] in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble":** This clause provides the divine rationale for the prohibition. God states unequivocally that He will not respond favorably to their desperate pleas when they inevitably face the consequences of their sin. The phrase "in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble" highlights that their cries will be born of distress and calamity (raʻ, H7451), not genuine repentance. God's refusal to "hear" (shâmaʻ, H8085) implies a refusal to intervene or deliver, sealing their fate.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:14 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Imperative**, as God issues a direct, unyielding command to Jeremiah ("pray not thou," "neither lift up"). This authoritative tone underscores the finality of the divine decree. There is also a strong element of **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as God predicts the future distress of the people ("in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble") and His predetermined response. The phrase "I will not hear" functions as a **Divine Fiat**, a declaration of God's unchangeable will and judgment, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty. Furthermore, the use of two synonymous terms, "cry" and "prayer," creates a form of **Parallelism** or **Emphasis through Repetition**, intensifying the prohibition against intercession and highlighting its comprehensive nature. The concept of God "not hearing" can also be seen as a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (hearing/not hearing) to God to convey His refusal to acknowledge or act on their behalf.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:14 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice, the consequences of persistent sin, and the limits of intercession. It reveals that while God is merciful and long-suffering, there is a point where His patience is exhausted, and unrepentant rebellion leads to a decreed judgment from which even the most fervent prayers cannot avert the outcome. This verse challenges the notion that God will always respond to cries for help, particularly when those cries arise from the consequences of a life lived in defiance of His covenant, rather than from genuine repentance. It underscores the gravity of breaking faith with God and the solemn reality that divine judgment, once determined, is inevitable.

* [Jeremiah 7:16](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16 - Prohibition of Intercession")
* [Jeremiah 14:11](/jeremiah/14-11 "Jeremiah 14:11 - God's Refusal to Hear")
* [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - Futility of Hypocritical Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:14 stands as a sober warning for all generations, reminding us of the seriousness of our relationship with God and the dire consequences of persistent, unrepentant sin. While God is infinitely merciful and always ready to hear the contrite heart, this verse reveals that there can be a critical threshold where divine judgment is sealed due to prolonged rebellion and covenant breaking. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we living in faithful obedience to God's commands, or are we presuming upon His grace while living in defiance? This passage should instill a profound urgency to respond to God's calls for repentance promptly, before the window of opportunity for mercy closes. It also underscores the vital importance of intercession for others, but reminds us that such prayers are most effective when there is still a possibility for the recipients to turn from their wicked ways. We are called to pray diligently for spiritual awakening and genuine repentance, knowing that there comes a point when the cries of distress, born of calamity rather than contrition, may go unanswered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's patience and justice?**
* **What does "unrepentant sin" look like in my own life or in the community around me, and what steps should be taken to address it?**
* **In what ways might I be presuming upon God's grace, and how can I cultivate a more obedient and responsive heart?**
* **How should this passage influence my approach to intercessory prayer for others, particularly those who seem resistant to God's call?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah 11:14 mean God stops listening to all prayers, or that there's a "point of no return" for individuals or nations?**

Answer: Jeremiah 11:14 does not mean God stops listening to all prayers universally, nor does it suggest an arbitrary "point of no return" for every individual. Instead, it speaks to a specific, dire situation for the nation of Judah, whose persistent and unrepentant covenant breaking had reached a critical mass. For Judah, at this particular historical juncture, God had determined judgment was inevitable due to their deep-seated idolatry and rejection of His repeated warnings. The "point of no return" here refers to the finality of a decreed national judgment, where intercession for deliverance from that specific judgment would be futile because God's righteous decree was set. This is consistent with other passages where God's patience is exhausted (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:16](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16 - Prohibition of Intercession"); [Hosea 4:17](/hosea/4-17 "Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim Joined to Idols")). For individuals, the Bible consistently teaches that God hears the prayers of the righteous and those who genuinely repent and turn to Him (e.g., [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession of Sins"); [Psalm 34:17](/psalm/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry")). This verse serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of prolonged spiritual rebellion, emphasizing that while God is merciful, His justice is also unwavering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:14, with its stark declaration of God's refusal to hear intercession for a rebellious people, finds its ultimate resolution and profound contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets, including Jeremiah, served as intercessors, yet their prayers could not ultimately avert the judgment brought by a broken covenant. However, in Christ, we find the perfect and eternal Intercessor, whose sacrifice and ongoing advocacy ensure that the prayers of His people are always heard and effective. Unlike Judah, whose sin created an insurmountable barrier between them and God, believers in Christ have their sins atoned for, allowing for constant access to the Father through the Son. The judgment that fell upon Judah for their covenant infidelity was a shadow of the ultimate judgment for sin, which Jesus bore on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through Him, the new covenant, sealed not with human obedience but with His own blood, ensures that those who believe will never face the kind of divine rejection seen in Jeremiah 11:14. As [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Eternal Intercessor") states, Jesus "always lives to intercede" for us, guaranteeing that our cries are heard, not because of our righteousness, but because of His. He is the one who, unlike the people of Judah, cried out in His trouble on the cross, and was heard, not for His own deliverance from death, but for the salvation of all who would believe, ultimately overcoming death and securing eternal life (cf. [Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")). Thus, Jeremiah 11:14 highlights the dire need for a perfect mediator, a role fulfilled completely and eternally by Christ, who bridges the chasm of sin and ensures that for those in Him, there is always an open door to the Father's presence and a compassionate ear to their prayers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 7:16

¶ Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

Jeremiah 11:11

¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

Jeremiah 14:11

Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for [their] good.

1 John 5:16

If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Exodus 32:10

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Psalms 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

Hosea 5:6

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find [him]; he hath withdrawn himself from them.