Jeremiah 14:12

KJV

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

KJV (with Strong's)

When they fast {H6684}, I will not hear {H8085} their cry {H7440}; and when they offer {H5927} burnt offering {H5930} and an oblation {H4503}, I will not accept {H7521} them: but I will consume {H3615} them by the sword {H2719}, and by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; when they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Rather, I will destroy them with war, famine and disease."

Berean Standard Bible

Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”

American Standard Version

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt-offering and meal-offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 14:12 delivers a profound divine judgment, unequivocally declaring God's rejection of Judah's superficial religious practices. Despite their outward displays of piety, such as fasting and offering sacrifices during a period of severe drought and national distress, their lack of genuine repentance and persistent disobedience rendered these rituals utterly meaningless and unacceptable in God's sight. Consequently, the Lord proclaims that He will not respond to their pleas but will instead execute comprehensive judgment through the devastating instruments of sword, famine, and pestilence, thereby underscoring the severe consequences of insincere worship and the unwavering certainty of divine justice for unaddressed sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 14:12 is strategically positioned within a significant prophetic unit (chapters 14-15) often designated as the "Drought Oracles" or "Lamentations of Jeremiah." This passage immediately follows the prophet's vivid and poignant descriptions of the widespread devastation wrought by a severe drought upon the land, its animals, and the people of Judah (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:1-6](/jeremiah/14-1-6 "Jeremiah 14:1-6 - The Drought's Devastation")). The suffering prompts a communal lament and prayer from the people (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7-9 "Jeremiah 14:7-9 - Judah's Confession and Plea")), wherein they acknowledge their sins but seemingly without the deep, transformative repentance that God demands. God's stern and definitive response in [Jeremiah 14:10-12](/jeremiah/14-10-12 "Jeremiah 14:10-12 - God's Rejection of Superficial Piety") serves as a pivotal moment, directly preceding His condemnation of the false prophets who offer deceptive assurances of peace and prosperity (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:13-16](/jeremiah/14-13-16 "Jeremiah 14:13-16 - Condemnation of False Prophets")). Thus, the verse functions as a crucial turning point, shifting the narrative from the description of national suffering to the pronouncement of God's unyielding judgment, emphatically highlighting the utter inadequacy of outward religious rituals when divorced from inward spiritual transformation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic ministry of Jeremiah unfolded during the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period characterized by profound political instability, pervasive spiritual apostasy, and the escalating threat of Babylonian imperial expansion, which would ultimately lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah. The severe drought described in this chapter was not merely a natural disaster but was deeply interpreted within ancient Israelite culture as a direct manifestation of divine displeasure and a consequence of covenant disobedience. Such calamities were explicitly outlined as curses within the Mosaic Law, particularly in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23-24 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Consequences of Disobedience"). In this cultural milieu, fasting and burnt offerings were divinely prescribed acts of worship, intended to express humility, repentance, and a fervent desire for God's favor. However, the people of Judah had tragically adopted the outward forms of their religion while their hearts remained stubbornly devoted to idolatry and pervasive social injustice, a recurring and scathing critique voiced by numerous Old Testament prophets. God's emphatic rejection of these rituals in [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God Rejects Insincere Worship") powerfully underscores His unwavering demand for genuine internal transformation and moral righteousness over mere external religious observance, a profound theological theme echoed by prophetic voices such as [Isaiah in his opening chapters](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Arraignment") and [Amos in his call for justice](/amos/5 "Amos 5 - A Call for Justice and Righteousness").

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 14:12 serves as a potent articulation of several foundational theological themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. First, it vividly illustrates the **futility of hypocritical worship**, unequivocally demonstrating that God prioritizes a sincere heart and genuine repentance over any outward religious performance. This concept is central to Jeremiah's entire prophetic message, as he consistently calls for a profound "circumcision of the heart" ([Jeremiah 4:4](/jeremiah/4-4 "Jeremiah 4:4 - Circumcision of the Heart")). Second, the verse underscores the **inevitability and severity of divine judgment** as a righteous consequence for persistent sin and covenant unfaithfulness. The ominous triad of "sword, famine, and pestilence" is a recurring and powerful motif of comprehensive judgment throughout the Old Testament, signifying God's just and inescapable response to Judah's deep-seated rebellion against His covenant (e.g., [Leviticus 26:25-26](/leviticus/26-25-26 "Leviticus 26:25-26 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Finally, it powerfully highlights God's **unwavering holiness and justice**, revealing that He cannot be manipulated or appeased by superficial displays of piety. His intrinsic character demands a just response to sin, and His decisive rejection of their offerings serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the gravity of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the true, demanding nature of their covenant relationship with the Holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fast (Hebrew, _tsûwm'_):** From H6684, a primitive root meaning "to cover over (the mouth)," hence "to fast." In this context, it refers to the traditional religious practice of abstaining from food, typically as a sign of mourning, repentance, or an earnest supplication for divine favor. However, God's declaration that He "will not hear their cry" (from H7440, _rinnâh_, a shout of joy or grief) indicates that their fasting, despite its outward adherence to ritual, lacks the internal sincerity and contrite heart that would render it acceptable or effective in His sight.
* **Accept (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** From H7521, a primitive root meaning "to be pleased with" or "to satisfy a debt." When applied to offerings or acts of worship, it signifies receiving them favorably, being propitiated or delighted by them. God's emphatic statement "I will not accept them" reveals His profound displeasure with their burnt offerings and oblations. The rejection is not of the ritual itself, which was commanded, but of the heart condition of those offering it—a condition that fails to please or satisfy God's righteous and holy demands for genuine devotion.
* **Consume (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, a primitive root meaning "to end," "to cease," "to perish," or transitively, "to complete," "to prepare," or "to consume." Here, it is used in the sense of utterly destroying or bringing to an absolute end. God's declaration, "I will consume them," signifies a complete, devastating, and final judgment. The instruments of this divine judgment—sword, famine, and pestilence—are employed to bring about their demise. This word powerfully conveys the totality, finality, and inescapability of the impending divine wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they fast, I will not hear their cry;":** This opening clause immediately establishes the profound futility of Judah's religious endeavors. The people, facing severe national distress likely exacerbated by the drought, are engaging in the traditional act of fasting, a customary means of seeking God's mercy and intervention. However, God unequivocally declares that He "will not hear their cry" or lament. This stark refusal indicates that their fasting, though outwardly performed, is not accompanied by genuine repentance, a broken spirit, or a contrite heart. Consequently, their pleas remain unheard and ineffective in the presence of the Almighty, highlighting the emptiness of ritual without sincerity.
* **"and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them:":** This clause further amplifies God's rejection of their religious rituals. "Burnt offering" (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh_, H5930) and "oblation" (Hebrew, _minchâh_, H4503) refer to specific types of sacrifices prescribed by the Mosaic Law. The burnt offering symbolized complete dedication, being entirely consumed by fire, while the oblation was typically a grain offering. Despite adhering to the prescribed forms and categories of worship, God emphatically states, "I will not accept them." This profound divine rejection underscores that outward conformity to religious law and ritual is utterly meaningless and even offensive without an inward transformation of the heart and sincere devotion to God. Their actions were an empty formality, lacking the integrity God demands.
* **"but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.":** This final, chilling clause reveals the active and devastating judgment God intends to unleash upon His unrepentant people. Instead of responding to their cries or accepting their offerings, God declares, "I will consume them," signifying His intent to utterly destroy or bring them to an absolute end. The instruments of this comprehensive divine judgment are explicitly named: "the sword" (representing war and violent death), "the famine" (signifying severe scarcity, starvation, and economic collapse), and "the pestilence" (denoting widespread disease, plague, and epidemic). This ominous triad represents a complete, inescapable, and devastating divine retribution for Judah's persistent sin and unrepentant hearts, demonstrating the severe and unavoidable consequences of rejecting God's covenant and His calls for genuine devotion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:12 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and uncompromising message of divine judgment. **Antithesis** is profoundly evident, establishing a sharp contrast between the people's outward religious actions ("When they fast," "when they offer burnt offering and an oblation") and God's definitive, negative response ("I will not hear," "I will not accept them," "but I will consume them"). This stark juxtaposition powerfully highlights the vast chasm between human religious performance and genuine divine approval. The use of **Repetition** in the emphatic phrase "I will not" (implied in "will not hear" and explicitly stated in "will not accept") underscores the unwavering and absolute nature of God's rejection. Furthermore, the culminating phrase "by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence" is a classic example of a **Triad of Judgment**, a recurring and ominous prophetic motif found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Ezekiel 5:12). This specific grouping functions as a form of **Merism**, where three distinct but related elements are used to represent a complete and exhaustive category—in this instance, signifying an all-encompassing, inescapable, and devastating divine judgment. The cumulative effect of these literary techniques is to amplify the gravity of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the certain, comprehensive nature of God's impending wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 14:12 profoundly articulates God's unwavering demand for genuine worship and highlights the utter futility of religious ritual when it is devoid of sincere repentance and a transformed heart. It reveals that God is not impressed or appeased by outward displays of piety when the heart remains rebellious, unrepentant, and far from Him. This principle is a foundational cornerstone of prophetic theology, consistently emphasizing that true devotion is not found in mechanical adherence to religious practices or external ceremonies but in an inward transformation that seeks righteousness, justice, and a deep, authentic relationship with the Holy God. The verse serves as a powerful and timeless reminder that God values the internal disposition and moral integrity over mere external performance, and that persistent sin, even when cloaked in religious acts, will inevitably lead to severe divine judgment.

* [Isaiah 1:11-15](/isaiah/1-11-15 "Isaiah 1:11-15 - God's Rejection of Meaningless Sacrifices")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")
* [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Despises Hypocritical Feasts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 14:12 stands as a timeless and piercing challenge to all who claim to worship God, compelling us to look beyond the mere performance of religious duties and to deeply examine the sincerity and authenticity of our hearts. In an age where outward appearances, social media piety, and programmatic religious activity can often mask internal emptiness or spiritual complacency, this verse serves as a potent reminder that God sees beyond our rituals, our eloquent prayers, and our generous offerings, scrutinizing the true condition and motivation of our devotion. Are our acts of worship, our service to others, our giving, and our spiritual disciplines truly born out of a profound love for God and a genuine desire to obey Him, or are they merely attempts to earn favor, fulfill a perceived obligation, maintain a respectable image, or assuage guilt? God desires a relationship marked by authenticity, integrity, and wholehearted surrender, where our actions flow organically from a heart genuinely transformed and submitted to His will. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep, internal transformation, ensuring that our spiritual practices are not empty forms but vibrant, sincere expressions of true faith, love, and repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my spiritual life might I be engaging in "outward show" without true inward devotion or a transformed heart?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a more sincere, authentic, and wholehearted approach to worship that is truly pleasing to God?**
* **What does "genuine repentance" look like in my daily life, extending beyond mere words or ritualistic acts to tangible change?**
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in this verse deepen my understanding of His unwavering holiness, justice, and righteous character?**

### FAQ
**Why did God reject their fasting and sacrifices if these were commanded in the Law?**

Answer: God rejected their fasting and sacrifices not because the rituals themselves were inherently flawed or wrong—they were, in fact, divinely commanded in the Mosaic Law as legitimate means of worship, atonement, and expressing devotion. Rather, God rejected them because they were offered with unrepentant hearts, devoid of genuine obedience, moral integrity, and spiritual transformation. The people of Judah were engaging in outward religious acts while simultaneously persisting in rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and flagrant disobedience to God's covenant. Prophets like Jeremiah consistently emphasized that God desires truth in the inward parts and a heart wholly devoted to Him, not just external conformity. As [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice") famously declares, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." Their rituals had tragically become a hollow substitute for a true, living relationship and faithful obedience, which God found abhorrent.

**What is the significance of the "sword, famine, and pestilence" triad?**

Answer: The "sword, famine, and pestilence" triad is a recurring and highly significant prophetic motif throughout the Old Testament, representing the primary instruments of comprehensive divine judgment and covenant curses (e.g., [Leviticus 26:25-26](/leviticus/26-25-26 "Leviticus 26:25-26 - Consequences of Disobedience") and [Ezekiel 5:12](/ezekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem")). "Sword" signifies the devastating effects of war and violent death, often at the hands of invading armies. "Famine" refers to severe scarcity of food, leading to widespread starvation, often a direct consequence of drought or prolonged siege. "Pestilence" denotes widespread disease, plague, or epidemic, causing mass mortality. Together, these three elements represent a complete, inescapable, and utterly devastating form of judgment, indicating that God's wrath would be holistic and leave no avenue for escape. It powerfully underscores the totality of the consequences for Judah's persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness to their covenant with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 14:12, with its stark portrayal of God's absolute rejection of insincere worship and the ensuing, comprehensive judgment, finds its profound and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The Old Testament sacrifices, including the burnt offerings and oblations mentioned, were inherently imperfect and served as mere shadows pointing to the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Unlike the offerings of Judah, which were rendered futile by the sinfulness and hypocrisy of the offerers, Jesus, as the spotless and blemish-free [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself on the cross, a sacrifice that was eternally "acceptable and pleasing to God" ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His atoning work, Christ not only provided the perfect sacrifice that truly propitiates God's wrath but also inaugurated a new covenant where true worship transcends external rituals and is characterized by "worshiping in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). The judgments of sword, famine, and pestilence, representing the comprehensive consequences of sin and rebellion against God, are ultimately overcome for all who believe in Christ. He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath on the cross, thereby delivering those who trust in Him from the condemnation of the Law and the curse of sin ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). Thus, while Jeremiah 14:12 powerfully highlights the futility of self-righteous human efforts and the severity of divine justice, it simultaneously magnifies the boundless grace of God in Christ, who provides the only acceptable way to approach God and grants deliverance from the very judgments pronounced upon the unrepentant.

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 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 6:20

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

Zechariah 7:13

Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

Ezekiel 14:21

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.