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.

JEREMIAH 7:16KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 7:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 7:16 mean?

Jeremiah 7:16 records God telling Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Judah, not to plead or intercede for them, because God will not listen to such prayers. This verse shows a moment when God’s patience with the people’s ongoing disobedience has reached its limit, and He is no longer open to appeals on their behalf.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Jeremiah, the prophet, during a time when the people of Judah have persistently turned away from Him and broken their covenant. The situation is serious: the people’s actions have led to a point where God tells even His prophet to stop asking for mercy for them. This highlights the depth of the nation’s rebellion and the seriousness of the coming judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 7:16

  • The word for "pray" is פָּלַל (palal), which often means to intervene or intercede, not just to make a request. Here, God is telling Jeremiah to stop all forms of pleading on behalf of the people.
  • "Intercession" uses the word פָּגַע (paga‘), which can mean to meet, encounter, or entreat. In this context, it emphasizes a strong, even urgent, appeal to God—something God now forbids Jeremiah to do.
  • The word for "cry" is רִנָּה (rinnah), which refers to a loud, emotional outcry, often in distress. God is saying that even emotional, desperate prayers will not change His decision.

Why Jeremiah 7:16 matters

  • This verse makes clear that there are times when persistent disobedience can lead to a point where God’s patience runs out, and even prayers from faithful people will not reverse the consequences.
  • Jeremiah 7:16 highlights the seriousness of Judah’s situation and sets the tone for the warnings and judgments that follow in the chapter.
  • The verse helps explain why Jeremiah’s later messages are so urgent and sorrowful—he is not allowed to plead for mercy, only to deliver God’s warning.

Where else these words appear

“them” Hebrew H1157 · used in 19 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.
  • Judges 3:22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
  • Psalms 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

“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.

“intercession” Hebrew H6293 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 23:8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
  • Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

“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.