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 11:14KJV
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Jeremiah 11:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 11:14 mean?

Jeremiah 11:14 describes God telling Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Judah, because God will not listen to their cries for help when trouble comes. The verse shows a point where God’s patience has run out due to the people’s persistent disobedience.

In this verse, God speaks directly to Jeremiah, instructing him to stop interceding for the people. The situation is that Judah has repeatedly broken their covenant with God by turning to other gods, and after many warnings, God declares that He will no longer respond to their prayers. This is a strong statement about the seriousness of their rebellion and the consequences that follow.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 11:14

  • "pray" (פָּלַל, palal) means to intercede or plead on behalf of someone. Here, God tells Jeremiah not to do this for the people, emphasizing that even the prophet’s prayers will not change the outcome.
  • "cry" (רִנָּה, rinah) refers to a loud, emotional plea or outcry. The use of this word highlights the desperation that the people will feel when trouble comes, but even such heartfelt cries will not be heard.
  • "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) means to listen or respond. God’s refusal to "hear" shows a deliberate choice to withhold mercy, not just a lack of attention.

Why Jeremiah 11:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 11:14 clears up the misunderstanding that prayer always guarantees a response; here, God sets a limit because of persistent unrepentance.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of breaking faith with God, especially after repeated warnings and opportunities to change.
  • In the wider passage, Jeremiah 11:14 marks a turning point where God’s judgment becomes certain, and even the prophet’s intercession cannot prevent it.

Where else these words appear

“cry” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
  • Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

“prayer” Hebrew H8605 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
  • Nehemiah 11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
  • Psalms 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.