Jeremiah 14:12
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵינֶ֤נִּי
H369
שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙
I will not hear
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֙עַ֙
I will not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
רִנָּתָ֔ם
their cry
H7440
רִנָּתָ֔ם
their cry
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
וְכִ֧י
H3588
וְכִ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַעֲל֛וּ
and when they offer
H5927
יַעֲל֛וּ
and when they offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹלָ֥ה
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֥ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
9 of 19
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וּמִנְחָ֖ה
and an oblation
H4503
וּמִנְחָ֖ה
and an oblation
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
10 of 19
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
אֵינֶ֣נִּי
H369
רֹצָ֑ם
I will not accept
H7521
רֹצָ֑ם
I will not accept
Strong's:
H7521
Word #:
12 of 19
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַּחֶ֙רֶב֙
them by the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֙רֶב֙
them by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 19
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Proverbs 1:28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: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.Jeremiah 6:20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.Ezekiel 8:18Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.Zechariah 7:13Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:Ezekiel 14:21For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?Micah 3:4Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.Jeremiah 16:4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.Jeremiah 24:10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
Historical Context
Judah maintained temple worship and religious observances while practicing idolatry and injustice. This hypocritical religiosity provoked God's rejection more than outright paganism might have.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious observance become a substitute for genuine repentance?
- What makes worship acceptable versus unacceptable to God?
- Why does hypocritical religion often provoke God's judgment more than open irreligion?
Analysis & Commentary
The reason for refusing their prayers: 'When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them.' Religious observances (fasting, offerings) without heart repentance are rejected. God's refusal to 'hear' and 'accept' shows that ritual divorced from righteousness is worthless. The threat follows: 'but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.' This triad of judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) appears frequently in Jeremiah. The verse teaches that external religious activity cannot manipulate God into blessing when the heart remains rebellious.