Jeremiah 14:11

Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Jeremiah directly during a time of national drought and impending judgment. He commands the prophet to stop interceding for the survival of the people.

The words — The Hebrew command אַל־תִּתְפַּלֵּל (al-titpallel) literally means "do not pray" and functions as an absolute prohibition. It halts the standard prophetic practice of pleading for mercy on behalf of the nation.

The thread — This exact prohibition repeats in Jeremiah 7:16 and Jeremiah 11:14, while standing in direct contrast to Moses' offer to be blotted out in Exodus 32:32 to secure forgiveness.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that persistent, unrepentant rebellion can terminate the availability of intercession. It demands a clear recognition that divine patience has limits and that judgment may proceed without prophetic mediation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֹּ֥אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh אֵלָ֑י'e.La/ito/ me אַל־'al-may not תִּתְפַּלֵּ֛לtit.pa.Lelyou pray בְּעַד־be.'ad-for הָעָ֥םha./'Amthe/ people הַזֶּ֖הha./Zeh<the>/ this לְטוֹבָֽה׃le./to.Vahfor/ good

King James Version

Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

Cross-references

Jeremiah 7:16 As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.
Jeremiah 11:14 As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!