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 7:16 ►

New International Version
“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.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
“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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“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.

New American Standard Bible
“As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not plead with Me; for I am not listening to you.

NASB 1995
“As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.

NASB 1977
“As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.

Legacy Standard Bible
“As for you, do not pray for this people and do not lift up a cry of lamentation or prayer for them and do not intercede with Me, for I am not hearing you.

Amplified Bible
“Therefore, do not pray for this people [of Judah] or lift up a cry or entreaty for them or make intercession to Me, for I do not hear you.

Christian Standard Bible
“As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not offer a cry or a prayer on their behalf, and do not beg me, for I will not listen to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not offer a cry or a prayer on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Jeremiah, don't pray for these people! I, the LORD, would refuse to listen.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Jeremiah, don't pray for these people. Don't cry or pray for them. Don't plead with me, because I will not listen to you.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Jeremiah, do not pray for these people. Do not cry or pray on their behalf; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

International Standard Version
"As for you, don't pray on behalf of this people, don't cry or offer a petition for them, and don't plead with me, for I won't listen to you.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Then the LORD said, "As for you, Jeremiah, do not pray for these people! Do not cry out to me or petition me on their behalf! Do not plead with me to save them, because I will not listen to you.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore do not pray for this people, neither lift up a cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear you.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
“Therefore don’t pray for this people. Don’t lift up a cry or prayer for them or make intercession to me; for I will not hear you.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you do not pray for this people, "" Nor lift up crying and prayer for them, "" Nor intercede with Me, for I do not hear you.

Young's Literal Translation
And thou dost not pray for this people, Nor lift up for them crying and prayer, Nor intercede with Me, for I hear thee not.

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt not pray for this people, and thou shalt not lift up a wailing and prayer for them, and thou shalt not entreat upon me: for I hear thee not.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore, do not thou pray for this people, nor take to thee praise and supplication for them: and do not withstand me: for I will not hear thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, you should not pray for this people, nor take up praise and supplication on their behalf. And you should not stand in opposition to me. For then I will not heed you.

New American Bible
You, now, must not intercede for this people! Do not raise a cry or prayer in their behalf! Do not press me, for I will not listen to you!

New Revised Standard Version
As for you, do not pray for this people, do not raise a cry or prayer on their behalf, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Therefore do not pray for this people, neither supplicate for them nor make intercession to me; for I will not hear you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall not pray for this people, and you shall not inquire for them and you shall not beg of me, because I will not listen to you

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore pray not thou for this people, and intercede not for them to be pitied, yea, pray not, and approach me not for them: for I will not hearken unto thee.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judah's Idolatry Persists
16As 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. 17Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 John 5:16
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.

Ezekiel 14:14
then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:20
then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. Their righteousness could deliver only themselves.

1 Samuel 15:35
And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Amos 5:21-23
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Matthew 12:31-32
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. / Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

John 17:9
I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.

Romans 11:7-10
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, / as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ...

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

Proverbs 1:28
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

Treasury of Scripture

Therefore pray not you for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear you.

pray.

Jeremiah 11:14
Therefore 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 14:11,12
Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good…

Jeremiah 15:1
Then 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.

I will.

2 Samuel 8:18
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

Isaiah 1:15
And 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.

Micah 3:4
Then 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.

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Jeremiah 7

1. Jeremiah is sent to call to true repentance, to prevent the Jews' captivity.
8. He rejects their vain confidence,
12. by the example of Shiloh.
17. He threatens them for their idolatry.
21. He rejects the sacrifices of the disobedient.
29. He exhorts to mourn for their abominations in Tophet;
32. and the judgments for the same.

Berean Study Bible

As for you
This phrase is directed specifically to the prophet Jeremiah. In the Hebrew text, the word "you" is emphasized, indicating a personal and direct command from God to His chosen messenger. Jeremiah, as a prophet, often stood as an intercessor for the people, but here, God is setting a boundary. This highlights the personal relationship and communication between God and His prophets, emphasizing the weight of Jeremiah's role and the seriousness of the message he is to deliver.

do not pray for this people
The Hebrew word for "pray" here is "palal," which means to intercede or mediate. In the context of ancient Israel, prayer was a powerful tool for seeking God's favor and intervention. However, God is instructing Jeremiah to refrain from interceding for the people of Judah. This is a significant departure from the usual prophetic role, indicating the severity of Judah's sin and the impending judgment. It underscores the idea that there comes a point when persistent rebellion leads to divine judgment, and intercession is no longer effective.

Do not offer a plea or petition for them
The terms "plea" and "petition" further emphasize the prohibition against intercession. In Hebrew, "plea" (tefillah) and "petition" (techinnah) both refer to earnest requests made to God. Historically, these terms reflect the deep, heartfelt cries of the people seeking mercy. The repetition of the command not to intercede highlights the gravity of the situation. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience and the limits of divine patience.

and do not beg Me
The phrase "do not beg Me" uses the Hebrew word "nasa," which means to lift up or carry. In this context, it refers to lifting up one's voice in supplication. The command not to beg underscores the finality of God's decision regarding Judah's fate. It reflects a moment in biblical history where the people's actions have led to a point of no return, illustrating the seriousness of turning away from God and the consequences that follow.

for I will not listen to you
This phrase is a stark declaration of God's decision. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "shama," which means to hear or give attention to. In the biblical context, God listening to prayers is often associated with His willingness to act on behalf of His people. Here, however, God declares that He will not "shama" Jeremiah's intercession. This highlights the theme of divine justice and the reality that God's patience, though long-suffering, is not infinite. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience and the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Pray not thou.--The words imply that a prayer of intercession, like that which Moses had offered of old (Exodus 32:10), was rising up in the heart of the prophet. He is told that he must check it. Judgment must have its way. The discipline must be left to do its work. A like impulse met by a like repression is found in Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 14:11. It is obvious that the utterance of the conflict between his human affections and the Divine will made the sentence which he pronounced more terrible than ever.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 16-20. - The hypocrisy of the worship of Jehovah proved; its punishment. Verse 16. - Pray not thou for this people. Abraham prayed for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-32); Moses and Samuel for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14; Exodus 17:11; Numbers 14:13-20; Psalm 106:23; 1 Samuel 7:9, 10; 1 Samuel 12:17, 18, 23); and Jeremiah would fain perform the same pious duty to his people. We have a specimen of his intercession in Jeremiah 14:19-22 (comp. Jeremiah 18:20), followed immediately by a rejection of his prayer, parallel in thought to the present passage. Verbal parallels are Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 14:11. Cry; i.e. cry for help (see on Jeremiah 14:12); parallel with "prayer," as Jeremiah 11:14; Psalm 17:1 61:1.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

As for you,
וְאַתָּ֞ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

pray
תִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל ׀ (tiṯ·pal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

for
בְּעַד־ (bə·‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

these
הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people.
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

offer
תִּשָּׂ֧א (tiś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

a plea
רִנָּ֥ה (rin·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7440: A creaking, shout

or petition
וּתְפִלָּ֖ה (ū·ṯə·p̄il·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

on their behalf,
בַעֲדָ֛ם (ḇa·‘ă·ḏām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

and do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

beg Me,
תִּפְגַּע־ (tip̄·ga‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity

for
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I will not
אֵינֶ֥נִּי (’ê·nen·nî)
Adverb | first person common singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

listen
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to you.
אֹתָֽךְ׃ (’ō·ṯāḵ)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 7:16 Therefore don't you pray for this people (Jer.)