Jeremiah 14:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 14:21 mean?

Jeremiah 14:21 is a plea from the people of Judah asking God not to reject or abandon them, for the sake of His own reputation and promises. They beg God to remember His covenant and not to let His glorious throne—His presence among them—be dishonored.

The verse is spoken in a time of national crisis, with Jeremiah voicing the people's desperation as they face disaster and feel abandoned by God. The people appeal to God's honor ("thy name's sake") and His covenant, hoping that God will act not because of their own merit, but to uphold His own faithfulness and the dignity of His presence among them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 14:21

• "abhor" (תָּנַא, tānaʾ): This word means to reject or despise. The people are asking God not to turn away from them in disgust, showing their fear of total rejection.
• "throne" (כִּסֵּא, kissēʾ): Refers to God's seat of authority and presence in the temple. By mentioning the throne of God's glory, the people are reminding God of His visible rule among them and the shame it would bring if He abandoned it.
• "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavōd): Often refers to God's honor, presence, or majesty. The plea is that God's own reputation is at stake if He allows His people and His temple to be disgraced.
• "covenant" (בְּרִית, bĕrīt): This is the binding agreement God made with Israel. The people are appealing to God's faithfulness to His promises, not their own righteousness.

Why Jeremiah 14:21 matters

• Jeremiah 14:21 shows that the people understood their only hope was in God's character and promises, not their own goodness or efforts.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of the crisis: the people fear not just punishment, but the total loss of God's presence and favor.
• This plea connects to the wider passage, where Jeremiah and the people wrestle with guilt, judgment, and the hope that God might still show mercy for the sake of His own name and covenant.