Jeremiah 11:14
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְפַּלֵּל֙
Therefore pray
H6419
תִּתְפַּלֵּל֙
Therefore pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
3 of 19
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
בְּעַד
H1157
בְּעַד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
4 of 19
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
הָעָ֣ם
not thou for this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
not thou for this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשָּׂ֥א
neither lift up
H5375
תִּשָּׂ֥א
neither lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בַעֲדָ֖ם
H1157
בַעֲדָ֖ם
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
9 of 19
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
רִנָּ֣ה
a cry
H7440
רִנָּ֣ה
a cry
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
וּתְפִלָּ֑ה
or prayer
H8605
וּתְפִלָּ֑ה
or prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
11 of 19
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵינֶ֣נִּי
H369
שֹׁמֵ֗עַ
for them for I will not hear
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֗עַ
for them for I will not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּעֵ֛ת
them in the time
H6256
בְּעֵ֛ת
them in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
15 of 19
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
קָרְאָ֥ם
that they cry
H7121
קָרְאָ֥ם
that they cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
16 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:16Therefore 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 11:11Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.1 John 5:16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.Jeremiah 14:11Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.Exodus 32:10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.Psalms 66:18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:Jeremiah 15:1Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.Hosea 5:6They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What circumstances might make intercession futile, and how do we know when that point is reached?
- How does this prohibition affect our understanding of intercessory prayer's effectiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.