Jeremiah 7:16
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 18
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל׀
Therefore pray
H6419
תִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל׀
Therefore pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
3 of 18
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
בַעֲדָ֛ם
for them
H1157
בַעֲדָ֛ם
for them
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
4 of 18
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 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשָּׂ֧א
neither lift up
H5375
תִּשָּׂ֧א
neither lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 18
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בַעֲדָ֛ם
for them
H1157
בַעֲדָ֛ם
for them
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
9 of 18
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
רִנָּ֥ה
cry
H7440
רִנָּ֥ה
cry
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
וּתְפִלָּ֖ה
nor prayer
H8605
וּתְפִלָּ֖ה
nor prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
11 of 18
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
12 of 18
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּפְגַּע
neither make intercession
H6293
תִּפְגַּע
neither make intercession
Strong's:
H6293
Word #:
13 of 18
to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵינֶ֥נִּי
H369
Cross References
Jeremiah 11:14Therefore 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 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.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.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Jeremiah 18:20Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from 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.Deuteronomy 9:14Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.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.
Historical Context
This command appears multiple times in Jeremiah (7:16; 11:14; 14:11), indicating that during his later ministry, judgment was sealed. Even Moses and Samuel couldn't intercede successfully at this point (Jeremiah 15:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we understand the limits of intercessory prayer in light of God's decreed judgments?
- What does it mean for a point of no return to be reached in God's dealing with persistent sin?
- How should awareness of judgment's potential finality affect our evangelistic urgency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God forbids Jeremiah to intercede: '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.' This stunning command indicates that judgment is now fixed and irreversible. The comprehensive prohibition ('pray not,' 'lift up cry,' 'make intercession') emphasizes finality. God's statement 'I will not hear' shows that the time for repentance has passed. This illustrates that divine patience, though extensive, has limits. When persistent rejection continues despite repeated warnings, God eventually confirms people in their chosen rebellion. Reformed theology speaks of judicial hardening—God's active giving over of persistent rebels to their sin's consequences.