Jeremiah 14:20

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, [and] the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

We acknowledge {H3045}, O LORD {H3068}, our wickedness {H7562}, and the iniquity {H5771} of our fathers {H1}: for we have sinned {H2398} against thee.

We confess our rebellion, ADONAI, also the crimes of our ancestors; yes, we have sinned against you.

We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, the guilt of our fathers; indeed, we have sinned against You.

We acknowledge, O Jehovah, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against thee.

Jeremiah 14:20 is a poignant verse from a prayer of confession, uttered amidst a severe drought in Judah, which was understood as a divine judgment for the nation's persistent unfaithfulness. It captures the heart of a people (or the prophet speaking on their behalf) finally acknowledging their deep-seated rebellion against God.

Context

This verse is part of a lament and prayer found in Jeremiah chapter 14, which vividly describes a devastating drought afflicting Judah. The drought is presented not merely as a natural disaster but as a direct consequence of the people's idolatry and spiritual adultery. Despite the severity of the judgment, the people (or Jeremiah on their behalf) turn to God in a moment of desperate confession, hoping for mercy. This prayer is significant because God had previously instructed Jeremiah not to intercede for Judah (Jeremiah 7:16), highlighting the depth of their sin.

Key Themes

  • Humble Confession of Sin: The opening phrase, "We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness," is a direct, unreserved admission of guilt. This is a crucial step towards repentance and restoration.
  • Corporate Guilt and Generational Sin: The inclusion of "the iniquity of our fathers" highlights a profound understanding of corporate responsibility. It acknowledges that the current generation is not only guilty of its own sins but also bears the consequences of a long history of national rebellion and spiritual deviation passed down through generations. While Ezekiel 18:20 emphasizes individual accountability, Jeremiah often speaks to the collective spiritual state of the nation.
  • Justification of God's Judgment: By admitting, "for we have sinned against thee," the people implicitly acknowledge that the suffering they are experiencing is a just and deserved consequence of their actions. This recognition validates God's righteous character even in judgment.
  • Desperate Plea for Mercy (Implied): While not explicitly stated in this verse, a confession of this nature, especially in a context of suffering, inherently carries an underlying plea for God's compassion and intervention.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "wickedness" (rasha) often denotes guilt, unrighteousness, or a state of being morally wrong.
  • "Iniquity" (avon) carries the sense of perversity, twistedness, or deviation from the right path. It can also refer to the punishment for sin, underscoring the severe consequences of their actions.
  • "Sinned" (chata) literally means "to miss the mark" or "to go astray," emphasizing a failure to meet God's standards or follow His commands.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 14:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honest and humble confession. For individuals, it teaches us to acknowledge our personal failings before God, not just superficially but deeply. For communities and nations, it underscores the need to recognize corporate sins and the impact of historical injustices or persistent rebellion. True repentance begins with a clear-eyed admission of guilt, paving the way for God's forgiveness and potential restoration, as promised in verses like 1 John 1:9.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 32:5

    I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

  • Jeremiah 3:25

    We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

  • Luke 15:18

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

  • Luke 15:21

    And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

  • 1 John 1:7

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Jeremiah 3:13

    Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

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