Jeremiah 14 21

Jeremiah 14:21 kjv

Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Jeremiah 14:21 nkjv

Do not abhor us, for Your name's sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory. Remember, do not break Your covenant with us.

Jeremiah 14:21 niv

For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.

Jeremiah 14:21 esv

Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us.

Jeremiah 14:21 nlt

For the sake of your reputation, LORD, do not abandon us.
Do not disgrace your own glorious throne.
Please remember us,
and do not break your covenant with us.

Jeremiah 14 verses

Jeremiah 14 21 Meaning

Jeremiah 14:21 is a fervent plea from the prophet on behalf of Judah, caught in a severe drought and facing God's impending judgment. It represents a desperate appeal to God's unchanging character and covenant faithfulness, begging Him not to reject His people or diminish His own honor in the eyes of the nations by abandoning Israel. The people, though acknowledging their sin, implore God to remember His sacred oath and the relationship He established, emphasizing that their continued existence and restoration are linked to the very reputation and glory of Yahweh.

Jeremiah 14 21 Context

Jeremiah 14:21 is found within a "drought chapter" (Jer 14) which describes a devastating famine and water scarcity afflicting Judah. The chapter details the widespread suffering, from the noblemen to the animals, serving as a sign of God's judgment against the people's persistent idolatry and disobedience. Following God's declaration of impending judgment (14:10), Jeremiah repeatedly intercedes on behalf of the people, expressing their lament, repentance, and desperate hope for mercy. This specific verse, therefore, represents a climax of such an intercessory prayer, a direct and earnest appeal to God, moving beyond mere confession of sin to an invocation of God's divine honor and historical faithfulness. Historically, Judah faced constant pressure from surrounding empires, and its stability and divine protection were intrinsically linked to its covenant with Yahweh. The thought of God abandoning them had implications for His reputation among the Gentile nations.

Jeremiah 14 21 Word analysis

• Do not abhor us: The Hebrew word is nā'aṣ (נָאַץ), meaning "to scorn," "to spurn," or "to treat with contempt." It denotes a deep, active rejection and disdain. The people are pleading that God would not utterly despise them or cast them away with contempt, even though their sins merit such treatment. This highlights their awareness of their unworthiness yet their hope in His character.
• for your name’s sake: This is a crucial appeal, known as "argumentum ad hominem Dei" (appeal to the Person of God). It means for the sake of God's reputation, honor, character, and consistency. If God were to completely abandon His people, it might imply to the surrounding nations that He is unable to save them, or that His covenant promises are unreliable, thereby diminishing His great name. This demonstrates a deep understanding of God's commitment to His own glory.
• do not dishonor: The Hebrew word is qālal (קָלַל), meaning "to make light of," "to curse," "to treat as trifling," or "to bring contempt upon." The plea is that God would not allow anything to diminish or insult His supreme authority and majesty.
• the throne of your glory: (כִּסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, kisseh kəḇôdĕkā) This powerful phrase signifies God’s sovereign rule, His majestic presence, and the place from which He exercises His absolute authority. His throne is not just a seat; it is the emblem of His divine sovereignty and glorious being. To dishonor it means to allow its authority and majesty to be questioned or undermined, especially by a total abandonment of His chosen people.
• remember: A fervent appeal for God to recall His past promises, His historical acts of salvation, and His ongoing commitment to Israel. It’s not about God having a memory lapse, but about Him acting on what He has already established.
• and break not: This implies a solemn covenant has been established. The Hebrew root pārar (פָּרַר) means "to break," "to annul," "to frustrate," or "to violate." The plea is for God to uphold His sacred oath and not render it void.
• your covenant with us: The Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants form the bedrock of Israel’s relationship with God. This refers to the enduring, binding promises and obligations God undertook with His people, which promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, but always contained a thread of ultimate preservation and restoration based on His faithfulness, not merely theirs.

• "Do not abhor us, for your name's sake": This phrase highlights a central biblical tension: God's justice in punishing sin versus His faithfulness to His own character and promises. The petitioners appeal not to their worthiness but to God's greater purpose of maintaining His holy name among the nations, knowing that His reputation is intrinsically tied to Israel's fate.
• "Do not dishonor the throne of your glory": This reinforces the "name's sake" argument by focusing on God's regal majesty and universal dominion. The continued existence and, ultimately, restoration of Israel were perceived as a testament to the power and truth of their God, a demonstration to the world of His glorious sovereignty. Their abandonment might be misconstrued as God's weakness or unfaithfulness by surrounding idol-worshiping nations.
• "Remember and break not your covenant with us": This final clause grounds the entire plea in the historical and theological foundation of Israel's relationship with God. It acknowledges the divine initiative in establishing the covenant (bərît) and seeks assurance that God will remain steadfast to His sworn promises, regardless of their unworthiness. This specific appeal echoes numerous laments throughout Scripture where the people remind God of His past acts and His unchangeable nature.

Jeremiah 14 21 Bonus section

This verse embodies the essence of "theo-centric" prayer, where the primary focus and ultimate basis of appeal shift from the needs or righteousness of the petitioner to the inherent nature and glory of God Himself. Such prayer acknowledges that while human sin deserves judgment, God's greater purpose often involves the vindication of His name and the fulfillment of His promises, sometimes against all odds from a human perspective. The specific term "throne of glory" is unique in Jeremiah, highlighting the visual and spiritual magnitude of God's dominion and the prophet's deep reverence. This passage implicitly critiques the idolatry of the surrounding nations and the vacuous nature of their gods, who have no true glory or unbreakable covenants, while affirming the unique power and faithfulness of Yahweh, Israel's God. It sets a precedent for later prayers, such as Daniel's prayer in chapter 9, where similar appeals to God's name and covenant faithfulness are made despite profound national sin.

Jeremiah 14 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 14:21 encapsulates a desperate yet profound prayer of intercession, reflecting a people brought low by judgment but clinging to the eternal attributes of their God. The plea is not born of self-righteousness, but out of a deep understanding that God's actions have implications beyond the immediate plight of Judah, impacting His own name and the perceived reliability of His majestic "throne of glory." By appealing to God's own reputation and His covenant promises, the prophet, on behalf of the people, humbly seeks to awaken God's steadfast love and mercy. It serves as a reminder that even in dire consequences for sin, one can approach God based on who He is, His eternal character, and His unbreakable word. This verse models true, humble intercession rooted in theological truth rather than human merit, trusting that God's commitment to His own glory supersedes their deserving of punishment.