Jeremiah 14:12

12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”

Jeremiah 14:12 in Other Translations

KJV
12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
ESV
12 Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence."
NLT
12 When they fast, I will pay no attention. When they present their burnt offerings and grain offerings to me, I will not accept them. Instead, I will devour them with war, famine, and disease.”
MSG
12 When they skip their meals in order to pray, I won't listen to a thing they say. When they redouble their prayers, bringing all kinds of offerings from their herds and crops, I'll not accept them. I'm finishing them off with war and famine and disease."
CSB
12 If they fast, I will not hear their cry of despair. If they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Rather, I will finish them off by sword, famine, and plague."

Jeremiah 14:12 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:12

When they fast, I will not hear their cry
Or, "though they fast" F11; very probably on account of the want of rain, and the dearth or famine, a fast was proclaimed; see ( Jeremiah 36:9 ) , when they prayed and cried aloud, and made a great noise; but their prayers being hypocritical, and not arising from a pure heart, or offered up in faith and love, were not heard and accepted by the Lord: and when they offer burnt offerings and an oblation;
or a meat or bread offering, which went along with the burnt offering; thinking by those outward things to atone for their sins, without true repentance for them, or faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ: I will not accept them;
neither their offerings, nor their persons: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the
pestilence;
the Lord not only determines the continuance of the famine, notwithstanding the prayers of the prophet; but adds two other judgments, the sword and pestilence, by which he was resolved to consume them; and therefore it was to no purpose to pray to him on their behalf, he was inexorable.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (wmuy yk) "quamvis jejunant", Gataker.

Jeremiah 14:12 In-Context

10 This is what the LORD says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”
11 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.
12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
13 But I said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’ ”
14 Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 1:45; S 1 Samuel 8:18; Isaiah 1:15; S Jeremiah 11:11
  • 2. Leviticus 1:1-17; Jeremiah 7:21
  • 3. S Leviticus 2:1-16
  • 4. Amos 5:22; Jeremiah 6:20
  • 5. S Isaiah 51:19; S Jeremiah 9:16
  • 6. Jeremiah 15:2; Jeremiah 16:4
  • 7. Jeremiah 21:6; Jeremiah 27:8,13; Jeremiah 32:24; Jeremiah 34:17; Ezekiel 14:21
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