Jeremiah 7 16

Jeremiah 7:16 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 7:16 nkjv

"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.

Jeremiah 7:16 niv

"So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

Jeremiah 7:16 esv

"As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you.

Jeremiah 7:16 nlt

"Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don't beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you.

Jeremiah 7 verses

Jeremiah 7 16 Meaning

This verse is a direct divine command from God to Jeremiah. It states that Jeremiah is forbidden from praying for this people, the nation of Judah, specifically concerning their present apostasy and the impending judgment. The prohibition extends to intercessory prayer, lifting up cries or supplications, and even the traditional act of praying on their behalf. The reason is God's displeasure with their deep-seated sinfulness and rejection of His covenant, making further intercession futile and contrary to His will for righteous judgment.

Jeremiah 7 16 Context

Jeremiah 7 stands as a pivotal chapter, known for the "Temple Sermon." God commands Jeremiah to stand at the entrance of the Lord's house and deliver a stern message. The people of Judah are coming to worship at the Temple, believing their outward religious observance is sufficient to protect them from the impending Babylonian invasion, despite their pervasive injustice, idolatry, and moral corruption. This verse comes in the latter part of the sermon, after God details their wicked deeds and emphasizes that His presence in the Temple does not grant them immunity from judgment. They have turned God's house into a "den of robbers" (v. 11), mocking His covenant promises. Therefore, God declares His intention to treat the Temple, their cherished symbol of security, like He treated Shiloh, which was destroyed. Jeremiah's personal anguish over this decree is evident in other passages, but here, God directly forbids him from attempting to change His mind or to plead for a people who have demonstrably rejected Him and His ways. The immediate historical context is the final years before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, a period characterized by severe spiritual decay and political instability.

Jeremiah 7 16 Word Analysis

• אַל (al): A strong negative particle, signifying prohibition or negative command. It carries a forceful sense of "do not."
• תַּעְתֶּר (ta'ater): From the root עתר (`atar), meaning "to entreat," "to implore," or "to pray for favor." In this context, it refers to praying with earnest supplication for others. The Hiphil stem indicates God making Jeremiah "cause to entreat" or commanding him not to do so.
• לָעָם-הַזֶּה (la'am-hazzeh): Literally "for this people." "La'am" (לָעָם) means "to the people," with "ha" (הַ) being the definite article and "zeh" (זֶה) meaning "this." The use of "this people" emphasizes the specific group being addressed and judged, highlighting their current apostate state.
• וְאֵין (ve'ein): A conjunction ("and") followed by "ein" (אֵין), meaning "there is not" or "there are none." It introduces the subsequent prohibitions.
• תִּשָּׂא (tissa'): From the root נשא (nasa'), meaning "to lift up," "to carry," or "to bear." Here, in the niphal form (though the masoretic text presents it as Hiphil verb stem for lift up/carry), it refers to lifting up a voice, cry, or supplication. It conveys the idea of raising a prayer.
• צַעֲקָה (tsa'akah): Means "cry," "outcry," or "scream." It refers to a vocal expression of distress, pleading, or supplication.
• אוֹ-תְּחִנָּה (o-techinnah): "Or a plea/supplication." "O" (אוֹ) is "or," and "techinnah" (תְּחִנָּה) comes from the root חנן (channah), meaning "grace" or "favor." Thus, "supplication" or "plea" emphasizes a request seeking favor.
• וְלֹא (velo): "Nor" or "and not." It continues the list of prohibitions, ensuring all forms of intercession are covered.
• תִּפְגַּע-בִּי (tifga'-bi): From the root פגע (paga'), meaning "to meet," "to encounter," or "to strike." In the context of prayer, "paga' bî" (פגע בי) means to strike or encounter God with a plea, effectively asking God to change His mind or turn from His judgment.
• כִּי (ki): "Because" or "for." This word introduces the reason for God's command.
• לֹא (lo): "Not" – a straightforward negation.
• אֶשְׁמַע-בָּם (eshma'-bam): "I will hear them" or "I will listen to them." From the root שׁמע (shama'), meaning "to hear." The negated form signifies God's refusal to listen or give attention to their prayers through Jeremiah.

Words-Group Analysis:The structure "Do not pray... nor lift up a cry or supplication... nor intercede with me" (אַל תַּעְתֶּר... וְאֵין תִּשָּׂא צַעֲקָה אוֹ-תְּחִנָּה וְלֹא תִּפְגַּע-בִּי) employs a triplet of verbs and their associated objects. This stylistic device in Hebrew prose intensifies the prohibition, leaving no room for doubt that all forms of intercession are forbidden. The repetition emphasizes the severity of God's decree and the finality of His judgment due to the people's persistent disobedience. The phrase "I will not listen to you" (כִּי לֹא אֶשְׁמַע-בָּם) directly follows, serving as the ultimate justification for these prohibitions – their sin has created a spiritual barrier that prevents divine responsiveness to intercessory prayers.

Jeremiah 7 16 Bonus Section

The intensity of God's prohibition reflects a critical theological point: there are times when intercessory prayer, while generally encouraged, cannot override God's declared righteous judgment against unrepentant sin. This is not a lack of God's love, but rather His adherence to justice and the consequences of covenant breaking. The mention of "listening" (שׁמע) is significant, as God’s willingness to hear prayer is conditional on righteousness and obedience (Ps 66:18, Prov 28:9). This prohibition highlights the finality of a spiritual threshold being crossed by the nation, leading to judgment that can no longer be averted by intercession. This can be seen in parallels with God’s directives to Moses not to pray for Israel after the golden calf incident (Ex 32:10), and His decree to Jeremiah in 15:1 and 15:6 regarding the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the refusal to hear the people’s cries.

Jeremiah 7 16 Commentary

God explicitly forbids Jeremiah from praying for Judah. This is not a sign of God's unwillingness to hear the penitent, but rather a decree regarding a nation that has thoroughly corrupted itself and demonstrated no genuine repentance. Jeremiah, like Moses and Samuel before him, was an intercessor. However, God's patience has reached its limit. The Temple sermon emphasizes that God’s dwelling place can become an object of His judgment when His people pervert its purpose through sin. The command reflects the judicial hardening of God’s heart toward Judah because of their unfaithfulness, making further pleas by a prophet unnecessary and unavailing. God's judgment is now proceeding justly according to His word and their actions.