Jeremiah 14 20

Jeremiah 14:20 kjv

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

Jeremiah 14:20 nkjv

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness And the iniquity of our fathers, For we have sinned against You.

Jeremiah 14:20 niv

We acknowledge our wickedness, LORD, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.

Jeremiah 14:20 esv

We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.

Jeremiah 14:20 nlt

LORD, we confess our wickedness
and that of our ancestors, too.
We all have sinned against you.

Jeremiah 14 verses

Jeremiah 14 20 Meaning

Jeremiah 14:20 acknowledges God's awareness of the sinfulness of Israel and expresses a deep, heartfelt confession and plea for divine intervention, acknowledging their hope in the Lord. It's a cry of genuine repentance from the nation facing judgment.

Jeremiah 14 20 Context

Jeremiah 14 describes a severe drought and famine plaguing Judah. The people and the prophet are actively seeking God's intervention. Chapter 14 is preceded by Judah's general sinfulness and disobedience, leading to divine displeasure and impending judgment, often manifested through natural calamities like drought. Jeremiah has been interceding for the people, but this verse marks a moment of deeper, national-level confession of their deep-seated iniquity. This occurs against the backdrop of ongoing exile threats and God's unwavering commitment to judging sin, yet also His steadfast love for those who turn to Him.

Jeremiah 14 20 Word Analysis

• we have sinned (ḥāṭāʾnū - חָטָאנוּ): This is the first-person plural perfect tense of the verb "ḥāṭāʾ" (חָטָא), meaning to miss the mark, to err, to sin. It signifies a completed action, indicating that the sinning is a past and present reality for the community. It's a fundamental acknowledgment of transgression against God's law.

• against thee (lĕḵā - לְךָ): A preposition "lĕ" (לְ) with the second-person masculine singular pronoun "ḵā" (ךָ). This highlights that the sin is not merely a violation of abstract rules but a direct offense against God personally.

• our iniquities (ʿăwōtê·nū - עֲוֹנֹתֵינוּ): The plural construct form of "ʿāwōn" (עָוֹן), which signifies iniquity, guilt, perversity, or wrongdoing. It goes beyond a single act to encompass the twisted or rebellious nature of their heart and actions.

• our guilt (rĕšāʿê·nū - רִשְׁעֵינוּ): The plural construct form of "rĕšāʿ" (רֶשַׁע), meaning wickedness, evil, injustice, or criminal guilt. This term often carries the connotation of active, deliberate rebellion and wickedness.

• has wrought (ʿāśû - עָשׂוּ): The third-person plural perfect tense of "ʿāśâ" (עָשָׂׂה), meaning to do, make, or accomplish. It emphasizes the tangible results and consequences of their iniquities and guilt, implying that these wicked deeds have produced actions and consequences.

• against thee (ləḵā - לְךָ): Repeats the personal offense against God, underscoring the relational aspect of their sin.

• we have forsaken (ʿăzabdû ·nū - עָזַבְנוּ): First-person plural perfect tense of "ʿāzav" (עָזַב), meaning to leave, abandon, forsake. This points to a conscious act of turning away from God and His ways.

• thee (ʾōṯḵā - אֹתְךָ): The direct object of "ʿăzabdû ·nū" (עָזַבְנוּ), again emphasizing the personal betrayal of God.

• our fathers (ʾăbōṯê·nū - אֲבֹתֵינוּ): Refers to the ancestors of the current generation, implying a generational legacy of sin and unfaithfulness passed down.

• our sins (ḥĕṭāʾ·nū - חֲטָאֵינוּ): The plural construct form of "ḥēṭāʾ" (חֵטְא), similar to "ḥāṭāʾ" but more often referring to the sin itself as a noun or offense.

• turned away from (šûḇ··nû ·mimmə·ḵā - שׁוּב • נוּ • מִמְּ • ךָ): The first-person plural perfect tense of "šûḇ" (שׁוּב), meaning to turn back, return. Here it's intensified with "min" (מִן), meaning "from," indicating a decisive act of turning away.

• from thy precepts (mimmip·pqā·ḏeḵā - מִמִּפְקָדֶיךָ): "Mimpəqāḏeḵā" is the plural construct of "piq·qûd" (pīqūˈd) often translated as precepts, statutes, commandments, or divine charges. This shows they turned away from God's specific instructions and commands.

• our plea (thəḥinnā·ṯên·nû - תְּחִנָּתֵינוּ): The plural construct form of "thəḥinnâ" (תְּחִנָּה), meaning plea, supplication, petition. This is the formal part of their appeal to God.

• our earnest prayer (ṯəfilla·ṯê·nū ·laḏ·wāpāh ·ḇa·qə·rāh - תְּפִלָּתֵינוּ • לַדָּוָה • בַּקְּרָה): This phrase is complex and debated. A common interpretation links "ḏāwâ" (דָּוָה) to menstruation or sickness, implying a troubled, sickly, or perhaps intense and distressed prayer. "Baqarah" (בָּקַר) means to seek or visit, suggesting they are seeking or crying out. It paints a picture of deep agony and urgent seeking.

• is for thy sake (ʿaḏ·ləḵā ·ḇə·ḡāh ·pə·nê·nû - עַדּ • לְךָ • בָּהּ • פָּנֵינוּ): Literally "until thee in it faces our." This means their faces are set towards God, looking for Him to act on their behalf.

• and we acknowledge (we·mad·dī·ʿū ·ləḵā - וּמַדִּ֘עּוּ • לְךָ): "We·mad·dī·ʿū" (וּמַדִּ֘עּוּ) is the first-person plural perfect tense of "yadaʿ" (יָדַע), meaning to know, to recognize, to acknowledge. It's a conscious, willful admission of their deeds and dependence.

• that the hope (kī ·maḏə·hā - כִּי • מַדְהָ): The phrase "ki maḏə·hā" (כִּי מַדְהָ) is also challenging. It might suggest "the knowing of which" or "that through which." When combined with "ha-miq·waṯ" (הַמִּקְוָה) which means hope, it reinforces that their hope is intrinsically linked to God's response or action based on their confession.

• is in the Lord (ha·miq·wāṯ ha·shəm — יְהוָה): "Ha-miq·waṯ" (הַמִּקְוָה) signifies hope or expectation. "ha-shəm" (שְׁמָם) is typically interpreted as a collective pronoun meaning "their shame" or "their uncleanness." However, within the context, "Yahweh" (יהוה) appears as the object of their hope. Therefore, the phrase strongly declares that their sole hope rests upon the Lord, Jehovah.

• of our God (ʾĕlō·hê·nû — אֱלֹהֵינוּ): Affirms the specific covenantal relationship they have with their God.

• we hoped (niq·wî·nū — נִקְוִינוּ): First-person plural perfect tense of "qāwâ" (קָוָה), to wait for, hope, expect, look for. It underlines a continuous act of trusting and anticipating divine intervention.

• in thee (bə·ḵā — בְּךָ): Again emphasizes the personal reliance on God Himself.

Groups of Words Analysis:

• "we have sinned against thee, our iniquities, our guilt": This entire phrase forms a comprehensive confession, moving from a general acknowledgment of sin ("sinned") to specific categories like "iniquities" (wrongdoing) and "guilt" (wickedness), all directed personally at God.

• "our iniquities, our guilt, have wrought against thee": This sequence highlights how their inner disposition ("iniquities," "guilt") manifested into actions ("wrought") that specifically harmed their relationship with God.

• "we have forsaken thee, our fathers, our sins": This points to a lineage of rebellion. They, like their ancestors, have turned away from God, embracing a history of sinful conduct.

• "our plea is for thy sake, we acknowledge that our hope is in the Lord": This links their petition and their ultimate trust. Their prayer is not selfishly motivated but driven by a desire to align with God's purpose and name. Their acknowledgment of hope in Yahweh is the foundation of their plea.

Jeremiah 14 20 Bonus Section

The Hebrew phrase translated as "our plea... is for thy sake" and "we acknowledge that our hope is in the Lord" can be seen as expressing a concept similar to sola Deo gloria—all glory belongs to God. Their confession and hope are not presented as means to achieve a good outcome for themselves independently, but rather as an act of alignment with God's sovereignty and the honor of His name. The linkage of their plea "for Thy sake" with their confession that their "hope is in the Lord" suggests a reorientation from self-concern to God-centeredness, even in dire circumstances. This reflects a mature understanding of faith where suffering leads to deeper dependence and redirection of purpose towards God's glory.

Jeremiah 14 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 14:20 serves as a powerful expression of repentance during a time of national crisis. The verse reveals a profound spiritual understanding: that the current suffering is a direct consequence of their collective sins, their iniquities, and their deliberate turning away from God and His commands. It's not just a superficial apology but a deep confession acknowledging the personal affront to God ("against thee"). The reiteration of their turning away, from both God and His specific "precepts" (instructions), shows an awareness of their violation of the covenant. The plea, described as troubled or intensely earnest ("sickly" prayer), coupled with a fervent seeking, underscores their desperate situation. Yet, crucially, this distress leads them not to despair or to false gods, but to an unwavering declaration of hope solely in Yahweh, their God. This verse models authentic contrition—owning sin, understanding its consequences, and placing all hope in God's faithfulness and power to deliver.

Practical Application:

• Own your sins: Don't excuse or blame others; take personal responsibility for your failings before God.
• Recognize generational sin: Be aware that unconfessed sin can create patterns that affect families and communities.
• Align your prayers with God's will: Pray for God's name and purpose to be honored, not just for personal relief.
• Place all your hope in God: In times of trouble, let your ultimate confidence be in God's character and promises, not in circumstances or human efforts.