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 11:14KJVWhat 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.