Jeremiah 7:16

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore pray {H6419} not thou for this people {H5971}, neither lift up {H5375} cry {H7440} nor prayer {H8605} for them {H1157}, neither make intercession {H6293} to me: for I will not hear {H8085} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"So you, [Yirmeyahu,] don't pray for this people! Don't cry, pray or intercede on their behalf with me; because I won't listen to you.

Berean Standard Bible

As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:16 presents a formidable divine injunction to the prophet Jeremiah, explicitly prohibiting him from offering any form of intercession on behalf of the people of Judah. This stark command underscores the profound depth of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the irreversible nature of the impending judgment. It signifies that the nation's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and covenant unfaithfulness had exhausted God's patience, rendering His righteous decree of judgment unalterable, even by the fervent prayers of His devoted prophet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:16 is a critical utterance within Jeremiah's renowned "Temple Sermon," delivered at the very gate of the Lord's house, as recorded in [Jeremiah 7:1-2](/jeremiah/7-1-2 "Jeremiah 7:1-2 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon Begins"). This sermon directly challenges the people's misguided and dangerous reliance on the physical presence of the Jerusalem Temple, a false security they believed would safeguard them despite their rampant idolatry, social injustice, and moral corruption, as detailed in [Jeremiah 7:5-7](/jeremiah/7-5-7 "Jeremiah 7:5-7 - Conditions for God's Presence and Blessing"). The preceding verses meticulously outline God's covenant lawsuit against Judah, itemizing their egregious violations of the covenant through sins such as theft, murder, adultery, perjury, and the worship of foreign gods, as condemned in [Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - Judah's Covenant Violations"). God's severe command to Jeremiah to cease intercession for the people, a prohibition echoed in [Jeremiah 11:14](/jeremiah/11-14 "Jeremiah 11:14 - God Forbids Intercession Again") and [Jeremiah 14:11](/jeremiah/14-11 "Jeremiah 14:11 - God's Final Refusal to Hear Prayer"), marks an irreversible turning point, signaling that the window for national repentance and the averting of judgment had definitively closed, setting the nation on an unalterable trajectory toward exile and destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 7:16 is late 7th to early 6th century BCE Judah, a period characterized by profound political instability and precipitous spiritual decline. Following the brief but significant spiritual revival under King Josiah, Judah rapidly reverted to widespread apostasy after his untimely death, particularly under the reign of King Jehoiakim. The people of Judah had embraced syncretistic religious practices, blending the worship of Yahweh with the veneration of pagan deities like Baal and Molech, even descending into the horrific practice of child sacrifice, as explicitly condemned in [Jeremiah 7:30-31](/jeremiah/7-30-31 "Jeremiah 7:30-31 - Abominations in the Temple"). Culturally, there was a deeply ingrained, yet profoundly misplaced, confidence in the Jerusalem Temple, viewing it as an inviolable charm or talisman that guaranteed divine protection, irrespective of their moral and spiritual conduct. This pervasive false sense of security, coupled with rampant social injustice and profound religious hypocrisy, cultivated a spiritual climate that was ripe for the execution of divine judgment. Geographically, Jerusalem served as the spiritual and political epicenter of Judah, and the Temple, its most sacred edifice, paradoxically became the focal point of both their deluded hope and God's unwavering pronouncements of judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader corpus of prophetic literature. A paramount theme is **Irreversible Judgment**, which underscores that there exists a critical threshold where persistent sin and unrepentance culminate in a final, unalterable divine decree. This highlights the severe **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience**, demonstrating unequivocally that God, though boundless in His mercy and [long-suffering](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - God's Character of Mercy and Grace"), is also perfectly just and will unfailingly execute judgment when His patience is exhausted and His covenant is continually and flagrantly violated. Furthermore, the passage profoundly explores the **Limits of Intercession**, revealing the sobering truth that even the most fervent and righteous prayers of a devoted prophet like Jeremiah could not overturn God's unyielding decree against a people whose hearts had become hardened beyond the point of true repentance. This reality was particularly agonizing for Jeremiah, who harbored a deep love for his people and profoundly lamented their impending fate, as poignantly expressed in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament over Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pray (Hebrew, _pâlal'_):** This primitive root (H6419) signifies "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." In the context of Jeremiah 7:16, it refers to the general act of prayer or supplication, specifically intercessory prayer offered on behalf of another. God's emphatic command to Jeremiah to "pray not" indicates a complete and absolute cessation of any form of appeal for the people's deliverance from the impending judgment. It encompasses any and all forms of communication with God seeking a reversal of their fate.
* **make intercession (Hebrew, _pâgaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H6293) means "to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity; to come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon), meet (together), pray, reach, run." The use of this word in the verse emphasizes a direct, forceful, or persistent plea on behalf of someone, often implying a mediator "falling upon" God in earnest petition. By forbidding Jeremiah to "make intercession," God is shutting down even the most earnest, direct, and persistent appeals, thereby reinforcing the finality and irrevocability of His decision.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H8085) means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." When God declares, "I will not hear thee," it signifies far more than a mere physical inability to perceive sound. It implies a deliberate and resolute refusal to acknowledge, respond favorably to, or act upon Jeremiah's prayers. It is a profound declaration of divine resolve, indicating that the people's persistent and unrepentant actions have severed the possibility of a favorable divine response to any intercession made on their behalf.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore pray not thou for this people,"**: This opening clause serves as a direct, emphatic, and absolute command from God to His prophet Jeremiah. The conjunction "Therefore" explicitly links this prohibition to the preceding verses, which meticulously detail Judah's pervasive, persistent, and unrepentant sin. God is unequivocally forbidding Jeremiah from engaging in any form of general prayer or supplication aimed at securing the nation's welfare or a reversal of the decreed judgment.
* **"neither lift up cry nor prayer for them,"**: This phrase expands upon and intensifies the initial prohibition, employing two distinct Hebrew terms to encompass the full spectrum of supplication. "Cry" (H7440, _rinnâh_) suggests a loud, perhaps emotional, lament or desperate plea, indicative of profound distress. "Prayer" (H8605, _tᵉphillâh_) refers to a more formal or structured act of prayer, a deliberate petition. The inclusion of both terms underscores the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of God's ban – no form of appeal, whether spontaneous or formal, impassioned or reasoned, will be effective or acknowledged.
* **"neither make intercession to me:"**: This final prohibitive clause utilizes a specific and potent term for intercession (H6293, _pâgaʻ_) that implies a direct, often forceful, and importunate pleading on behalf of another, suggesting a mediator's active intervention. It emphasizes that even Jeremiah's most direct and earnest appeals to God as a mediator would be utterly futile. God is definitively closing off all potential avenues of appeal for this people, leaving no room for negotiation or change of mind.
* **"for I will not hear thee."**: This concluding statement provides the divine rationale and irrefutable justification for the absolute prohibition. It is not that God is literally deaf or incapable of hearing, but rather that He has sovereignly and justly determined not to respond favorably to any prayers offered for Judah. This signifies a profound divine hardening, a judicial decision rooted in the nation's persistent sin, indicating that the point has been reached where mercy will no longer be extended in the face of impending judgment. God's resolute refusal to "hear" means He will not act to avert the decreed consequences, sealing their fate.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its grave and unyielding message. **Repetition** is strikingly evident in the multiple synonymous phrases used to forbid prayer ("pray not," "neither lift up cry nor prayer," "neither make intercession"), which serves to underscore the absolute, comprehensive, and undeniable nature of God's command. This deliberate **Emphasis** highlights the finality of God's decision and the extreme severity of Judah's spiritual state. The declaration "I will not hear thee" functions as a form of **Divine Fiat**, a sovereign and unchallengeable decree that emanates directly from God's will and is irreversible. It also carries a powerful element of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like refusal to "hear" to God. This literary choice effectively communicates His deliberate and decisive withdrawal of favor and responsiveness to intercession for Judah, making the divine resolve clear and profoundly impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:16 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice, the inexorable consequences of unrepentant sin, and the absolute sovereignty of God. It reveals that while God is infinitely merciful and long-suffering, there exists a critical point where His patience gives way to His righteous and inevitable judgment. This is not an arbitrary act, but a just and necessary response to persistent rebellion and the hardening of hearts against repeated divine warnings and calls to repentance. The verse forcefully challenges any presumption that divine grace is limitless in the face of deliberate and continued defiance, underscoring the profound seriousness of covenant breaking. It also highlights the weighty responsibility of a people to respond obediently to God's calls for repentance, demonstrating that even the most righteous and fervent intercession cannot override a divine decree against a nation determined in its sin and unwilling to turn back.

* [Jeremiah 11:14](/jeremiah/11-14 "Jeremiah 11:14 - God's Repeated Command to Jeremiah Not to Pray")
* [Jeremiah 14:11](/jeremiah/14-11 "Jeremiah 14:11 - Another Instance of Forbidden Intercession")
* [1 John 5:16](/1_john/5-16 "1 John 5:16 - Sin Leading to Death and Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:16, though deeply rooted in a specific historical context of national judgment against ancient Judah, carries timeless and profound implications for individuals and communities in every age. It serves as a solemn and urgent warning against the perilous dangers of prolonged, unrepentant sin and the grave error of presuming upon God's boundless grace. While God's mercy is indeed vast and His ultimate desire is always for genuine repentance and reconciliation, this verse powerfully reminds us that there can be a critical point where persistent rejection of His truth and the hardening of the heart lead to a divine withdrawal of favor, rendering future intercession for a specific outcome utterly futile. This passage calls us to profound introspection, urging us to meticulously examine our own lives and ensure that we are not living in a state of defiance, complacency, or spiritual apathy, but rather walking in humble obedience and responsiveness to God's living Word. Ultimately, this passage encourages us to diligently seek the Lord while He may be found, recognizing the preciousness and urgency of the present moment for repentance, genuine transformation, and unwavering reconciliation with our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my preconceived understanding of God's character, particularly His unwavering justice alongside His profound mercy?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might I inadvertently be presuming upon God's grace, rather than actively and consistently pursuing genuine repentance and faithful obedience?**
* **What is my personal and corporate responsibility to respond decisively and humbly to God's warnings and His persistent calls for spiritual change?**
* **How does this powerful passage deepen my appreciation for the ongoing, undeserved opportunity to repent, seek God's face, and experience His transformative grace?**

### FAQ
**Does God ever refuse to hear prayers today, or is Jeremiah 7:16 an isolated historical event?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 7:16 describes a unique and extraordinarily severe instance of God forbidding a prophet from interceding for an entire nation facing irreversible judgment due to prolonged and corporate apostasy, the underlying principle that God may not "hear" certain prayers is indeed found elsewhere in Scripture and holds relevance today. God does not hear the prayers of those who intentionally cling to sin and refuse to repent, as explicitly stated in [Psalm 66:18](/psalms/66-18 "Psalm 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me") and [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You from Your God"). He may also refuse prayers offered with wrong motives or selfish desires, as warned in [James 4:3](/james/4-3 "James 4:3 - You Ask and Do Not Receive"). Furthermore, prayers that are not aligned with His divine will may not be granted, as taught in [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Praying According to God's Will"). However, for believers living under the New Covenant, the overwhelming emphasis is on the profound accessibility of God through Jesus Christ and the transformative power of prayer offered in faith, according to His will, and with a repentant heart. Believers are encouraged to approach God's throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")) and to ask, seek, and knock, knowing they will receive ([Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")). The Jeremiah passage is a specific, judicial judgment against a covenant-breaking nation that had crossed a point of no return, not a general rule about individual prayer for faithful believers today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:16, with its somber declaration of God's refusal to hear intercession for a hardened and unrepentant people, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound contrast in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the people of Israel, despite their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, could reach a point of such profound and persistent rebellion that divine judgment became irreversible, and even the fervent intercession of a righteous prophet like Jeremiah was explicitly forbidden. This dire situation foreshadows the ultimate and inescapable consequence of definitively rejecting God's final and complete revelation in His Son, Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah was tragically forbidden to pray for his people, Jesus Christ stands eternally as our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") who "always lives to intercede" for His redeemed people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Intercedes")). His intercession is not futile or limited by human sin, but is eternally effective and perfectly righteous because it is founded upon His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and His unblemished obedience to the Father ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Atonement")). The finality of judgment observed in Jeremiah 7:16 powerfully points to the ultimate and inescapable judgment awaiting those who definitively and willfully reject the abundant grace and salvation offered exclusively in Christ, for whom there remains "no longer any sacrifice for sins" ([Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - No More Sacrifice for Willful Sin")). However, for all who turn to Him in genuine faith and repentance, Christ's atoning work and His ongoing, ceaseless intercession ensure that God always hears the prayers of His children, providing a path to repentance, forgiveness, and eternal life that was tragically closed off to unrepentant Judah.

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 11:14

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.

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.

Jeremiah 14:11

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

Jeremiah 14:12

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.

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.

Jeremiah 18:20

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.