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.

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.

"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.

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.

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

Jeremiah 7:16 is a stark and somber declaration from God to His prophet Jeremiah, revealing the depth of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the impending, irreversible judgment. This verse is part of Jeremiah's famous "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), delivered at the gate of the Lord's house, where he confronts the people's false security in the Temple while their lives were filled with idolatry and injustice.

Context

At this point in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile, the people had become deeply entrenched in sin, despite repeated warnings from God through His prophets. They believed that merely possessing the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem would protect them, even as they engaged in widespread idolatry, oppression, and moral corruption (as detailed in Jeremiah 7:5-7). God's patience had reached its limit. The command to Jeremiah "pray not thou for this people" signifies that their sin had progressed to a point where divine judgment was no longer avertable through intercession.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Irreversible Judgment: The primary message is the finality of God's decision to judge Judah. Their persistent rebellion had led them beyond the point of repentance, making divine intervention through prayer futile.
  • Consequences of Persistent Disobedience: This verse powerfully illustrates that there are severe, ultimate consequences for sustained and unrepentant sin. God, though merciful and long-suffering, is also just and will execute judgment when His patience is exhausted.
  • Limits of Intercession: Even the fervent prayers of a righteous prophet like Jeremiah could not change God's decree against a people who had hardened their hearts. This was a painful reality for Jeremiah, who deeply loved his people (see Jeremiah 9:1). This command is repeated in other challenging times for Judah, such as in Jeremiah 11:14 and Jeremiah 14:11.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used emphasize the comprehensive nature of the forbidden prayer:

  • "pray not thou" (Hebrew: palal): This is a general term for prayer or intercession.
  • "lift up cry nor prayer" (Hebrew: rinnah and tephillah): Rinnah refers to a loud cry, often of lament or supplication, while tephillah is a more formal, structured prayer.
  • "neither make intercession" (Hebrew: paga): This specific word means "to meet," "to encounter," or "to entreat," often used in the context of interceding on behalf of another. It implies a direct approach to God with a plea.

The repetition of these terms underscores the absolute nature of God's command: no form of prayer or appeal for this people would be heard, because God's decision was final.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a unique and extreme moment in salvation history, it carries timeless implications:

  • It serves as a solemn warning about the dangers of prolonged and unrepentant sin. There can be a point where God's mercy, though vast, gives way to His justice.
  • It highlights the importance of responding to God's warnings and calls to repentance. We are urged to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6).
  • It reminds us that God's sovereignty extends to judgment, and He is righteous in all His ways. Even when His actions seem severe, they are just responses to persistent rebellion.

This passage encourages introspection, urging believers to examine their own lives and ensure they are walking in obedience, rather than presuming upon God's grace while living in defiance.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 11:14 (8 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    ¶ 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 (7 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 14:12 (7 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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.