Jeremiah 14:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} the LORD {H3068} unto me, Pray {H6419} not for this people {H5971} for their good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then ADONAI said to me, "Don't pray for this people or for their welfare.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:11 marks a somber and definitive moment in the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, where the LORD issues an unequivocal command for him to cease interceding on behalf of the people of Judah. This divine prohibition underscores the severity of Judah's persistent sin, idolatry, and unrepentance, signaling that the nation has reached a critical point where God's patience has been exhausted, and His righteous judgment is now inevitable and irreversible. It highlights the tragic consequences of prolonged rebellion against the covenant, even in the face of prophetic warnings and divine long-suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 14:11 is embedded within a deeply sorrowful section of the book, often referred to as the "Drought Oracles" (Jeremiah 14:1-15:9). The preceding verses vividly describe the devastating effects of a severe drought and famine plaguing Judah, leading to widespread suffering among the people, animals, and the land itself. Jeremiah, deeply empathetic to his people's plight, has been fervently interceding with God, appealing to His covenant faithfulness and His reputation among the nations, as seen in his prayer of confession and appeal in [Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7-9 "Jeremiah 14:7-9 - Jeremiah's Prayer of Confession and Appeal"). The LORD's response in [Jeremiah 14:10](/jeremiah/14-10 "Jeremiah 14:10 - God's Rejection of Judah") reveals the true spiritual malady behind the physical suffering: Judah's unfaithfulness and persistent idolatry. Thus, verse 11 serves as a stark divine counter-response to Jeremiah's intercession, indicating a profound shift from a potential for reprieve to an unalterable decree of judgment. It sets the stage for the subsequent pronouncements of doom and the lament over Judah's fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Jeremiah prophesies during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), a period marked by political instability, the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and a profound spiritual decline within Judah. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people, including kings and priests, largely continued in their syncretistic religious practices, worshipping Baal and other foreign deities alongside Yahweh. They had repeatedly broken the Mosaic Covenant, leading to moral decay and social injustice. The drought described in this chapter was a common form of divine judgment in the ancient Near East, often interpreted as a sign of a deity's displeasure. From a biblical perspective, it was a direct consequence of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23-24 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Consequences of Disobedience"). The command to cease prayer signifies that Judah's spiritual condition had deteriorated to a point where repentance was no longer genuinely sought, and the nation was ripe for the impending Babylonian exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Irreversible Judgment**, demonstrating that there are limits to God's patience and that persistent, unrepentant sin inevitably leads to severe divine consequences. This is not arbitrary but a just response to a people who have "loved to wander" and "have not restrained their feet," as God states in [Jeremiah 14:10](/jeremiah/14-10 "Jeremiah 14:10 - God's Rejection of Judah"). Secondly, it highlights the **Limits of Prophetic Intercession**. While prophets often interceded successfully for their people (e.g., Moses in [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11-14 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")), this command reveals a point where even the most fervent prayers cannot avert a decreed judgment, emphasizing the depth of Judah's spiritual depravity. Similar commands appear elsewhere in Jeremiah, such as in [Jeremiah 7:16](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16 - Do Not Pray for This People") and [Jeremiah 11:14](/jeremiah/11-14 "Jeremiah 11:14 - God Forbids Prayer for Judah"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's Righteous Justice**. While God is merciful and slow to anger, He is also perfectly just and holy, and His character demands that unrepentant sin be addressed, even if it means allowing His chosen people to face the consequences of their rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, a primitive root meaning "to say (used with great latitude)." In this context, it emphasizes the direct, authoritative, and decisive nature of the LORD's communication to Jeremiah. It is not a suggestion or a lament but a firm divine utterance that carries the weight of an irreversible decree, signifying a definitive pronouncement from God.
* **Pray (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** From H6419, a primitive root meaning "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." Here, it specifically refers to Jeremiah's act of intercessory prayer on behalf of Judah. The prohibition against this act highlights that the time for averting judgment through human petition has passed, as the divine decision has been rendered and is no longer subject to change through intercession.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, meaning "good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun... (good, a good or good thing... welfare)." In Jeremiah 14:11, the LORD forbids Jeremiah from praying for Judah's "good," meaning their temporal welfare, deliverance from calamity, or restoration of prosperity. It signifies that God's intention is no longer to grant them immediate relief or blessing, but rather to allow the consequences of their actions to unfold as a necessary part of His righteous judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the LORD unto me":** This introductory clause establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the command. It is a direct, personal communication from Yahweh (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the self-Existent God, to His prophet Jeremiah. The personal address "unto me" underscores the direct and weighty nature of this revelation for Jeremiah, who had been earnestly interceding for his people.
* **"Pray not for this people":** This is the core of the divine prohibition. The command to "Pray not" (H6419, pâlal) is absolute and categorical, instructing Jeremiah to cease his intercessory efforts on behalf of "this people" (H5971, ʻam), referring specifically to the unrepentant nation of Judah. It signifies that their spiritual condition has reached a point of no return, where further human intercession for their immediate deliverance would be futile and contrary to God's determined course of action.
* **"for their good":** This phrase clarifies the specific nature of the forbidden prayer. Jeremiah is not to pray for Judah's "good" (H2896, ṭôwb), meaning their welfare, prosperity, or the alleviation of their suffering. God is not forbidding prayer in general, but specifically prayer that seeks to avert the impending judgment and restore their temporal well-being, as such a prayer would now run counter to His righteous decree and the necessary consequences of their prolonged rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Jeremiah 14:11 is **Divine Command** and **Prohibition**. The LORD's direct address to Jeremiah, "Pray not," is an unequivocal imperative, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and the finality of His decision regarding Judah's fate. This stark command functions as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the prophet, who has been passionately interceding for his people, is now explicitly forbidden from doing so by the very God he serves. The phrase "for their good" serves as a poignant **Understatement**, highlighting that the very thing Jeremiah desires for his people (their welfare and prosperity) is precisely what God has determined they will not receive through prayer at this juncture. The verse's brevity and directness also contribute to its powerful impact, conveying a sense of **Finality** and the grave, inevitable consequences of persistent rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:11 presents a profound theological truth: while God is infinitely patient and merciful, there is a limit to His forbearance when a people persistently rejects His covenant and refuses to repent. This verse underscores the seriousness of unrepentant sin, demonstrating that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to prolonged rebellion. It reveals that God's justice is as integral to His character as His mercy, and He will not indefinitely tolerate spiritual adultery and idolatry. The command to cease intercession is a stark indicator that the nation's heart has become so hardened that even prophetic prayer cannot alter the course of decreed judgment, emphasizing the tragic consequences of a people's deliberate turning away from the Lord. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that while God desires all to come to repentance, He also upholds His righteous standards.

* [Jeremiah 7:16](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16 - God Forbids Prayer for Judah")
* [Jeremiah 11:14](/jeremiah/11-14 "Jeremiah 11:14 - God Forbids Prayer for Judah Again")
* [Hosea 4:17](/hosea/4-17 "Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:11 is a challenging verse, prompting us to consider the gravity of persistent sin and the boundaries of divine patience. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God is merciful and desires all people to repent, there can come a point, for an individual or a nation, where a continued rejection of His grace leads to an irreversible decree of judgment. This passage should not lead us to despair about the efficacy of prayer, but rather to a deeper understanding of God's holy character and the profound seriousness of our choices. It calls us to urgent self-examination, encouraging us to confess and repent of any areas of unrepentant sin in our own lives, lest we harden our hearts to God's voice. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of living in faithful obedience, recognizing that true "good" and welfare come from walking in God's ways, not from presuming upon His mercy while living in rebellion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jeremiah 14:11 reveal about the seriousness of unrepentant sin in the eyes of God?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's patience and His justice?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be hardening our hearts to God's warnings today?**
* **How does this passage motivate us to pursue genuine repentance and obedience in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Does God ever stop listening to prayers?**

Answer: Jeremiah 14:11 is a specific, unique command given to Jeremiah regarding a particular people (Judah) at a specific point in their history when their rebellion had reached an extreme and unrepentant state. It does not imply that God generally stops listening to the prayers of His people. The Bible consistently encourages prayer, promising that God hears those who call upon Him in truth and faith, as [Psalm 145:18](/psalm/145-18 "Psalm 145:18 - The LORD is near to all who call on Him") affirms. However, this verse reveals that there are circumstances where God, in His righteous judgment, may determine that a people's sin has reached a point where immediate temporal "good" or deliverance from decreed judgment is no longer His will, and continued intercession for that specific outcome would be contrary to His divine purpose. It's a statement about the finality of judgment for a hardened people, not a general principle about prayer being unheard or ineffective for those who genuinely seek Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 14:11 presents a sobering picture of God's judgment against an unrepentant people, it ultimately points to the profound difference wrought by the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament, even the greatest prophets like Jeremiah faced limitations in their intercession for a people determined to reject God. However, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate and perfect **Intercessor**, whose prayer is always heard and effective for those who are in Him. Unlike Judah, whose sin reached a point of no return for averting temporal judgment, believers in Christ find a perpetual advocate at the right hand of God, as [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us") declares. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has dealt decisively with the sin that separated humanity from God, opening a new and living way to the Father, as [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way") teaches. The "good" that Judah could no longer pray for—restoration and well-being—is precisely what Christ offers eternally to all who believe, not based on their merit, but on His perfect righteousness and finished work, for God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us")). Thus, while Jeremiah was forbidden to pray for Judah's temporal good due to their unrepentance, Christ's ongoing intercession secures the eternal good and salvation of His elect, ensuring that God's people will never face a divine command to cease prayer for their ultimate spiritual welfare.

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 11:14

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.

Exodus 32:32

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Exodus 32:34

Therefore now go, lead the people unto [the place] of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

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.