King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:14 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. trouble: Heb. evil

Jeremiah 11:14 · KJV


Context

12

Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. trouble: Heb. evil

13

For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. shameful: Heb. shame

14

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. trouble: Heb. evil

15

What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. What: Heb. What is to my beloved in my house when: or, when thy evil is

16

The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse prohibits intercession: '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 is forbidden to intercede—an unprecedented restriction for a prophet whose role included intercession (1 Samuel 12:23, Amos 7:1-6). 'Lift up cry or prayer' (rinnah utephillah) describes urgent supplication. The double prohibition emphasizes finality. God's refusal to hear their cry repeats verse 11. The time for intercession has passed; judgment is determined. This reveals limits to prophetic intercession when persistent rebellion exhausts divine patience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This command appears three times in Jeremiah (7:16, 11:14, 14:11), each intensifying the prohibition. Moses successfully interceded after the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14) and at Kadesh (Numbers 14:13-20). Samuel interceded regularly. But by Jeremiah's time, centuries of prophetic warning rejected, even Moses and Samuel couldn't change the outcome (Jeremiah 15:1). The prohibition distressed Jeremiah, who genuinely loved his people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What circumstances might make intercession futile, and how do we know when that point is reached?
  2. How does this prohibition affect our understanding of intercessory prayer's effectiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאַתָּ֗ה1 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אַל2 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתְפַּלֵּל֙3 of 19

Therefore pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

בְּעַד4 of 19
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הָעָ֣ם5 of 19

not thou for this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֔ה6 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאַל7 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשָּׂ֥א8 of 19

neither lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

בַעֲדָ֖ם9 of 19
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

רִנָּ֣ה10 of 19

a cry

H7440

properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)

וּתְפִלָּ֑ה11 of 19

or prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

כִּ֣י׀12 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵינֶ֣נִּי13 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

שֹׁמֵ֗עַ14 of 19

for them for I will not hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּעֵ֛ת15 of 19

them in the time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

קָרְאָ֥ם16 of 19

that they cry

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלַ֖י17 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּעַ֥ד18 of 19
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

רָעָתָֽם׃19 of 19

unto me for their trouble

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 11:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 11:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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