We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 14:20
What does Jeremiah 14:20 mean?
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Jeremiah 14:20
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This confession isn't just about personal sin; it acknowledges a deep, inherited spiritual brokenness, an "iniquity of our fathers" that has been passed down. It's a profound admission that their present struggles are inextricably linked to the unrepented sins of generations before them.
We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking for a remnant of God's people, is in a desperate situation, likely during a severe drought and facing imminent judgment from God. Before this verse, Jeremiah has already offered a prayer for relief and pleaded with God not to forsake His people. This confession is an acknowledgment of their deep-seated sinfulness, recognizing that both their current transgressions and the inherited wickedness of their ancestors have brought God's wrath upon them.
Ever felt like you're dealing with the consequences of things you didn't even do? This verse speaks to that deep reality.
Jeremiah's confession isn't just about personal wrongdoing. He acknowledges "the iniquity of our fathers." This points to a profound biblical truth: sins can create ripple effects across generations.
Inherited Tendencies, Not Just Guilt
It's not that children are inherently guilty for their parents' specific sins. Instead, when parents live in ways that turn away from God, they often pass down distorted views, unhealthy patterns, and a spiritual climate that makes it easier for their children to fall into similar traps. It's like inheriting a landscape that's been damaged, making it harder to grow healthy crops.
An Aggravating Factor
Confessing ancestral iniquity doesn't excuse personal sin. Instead, it's an acknowledgment that the people's present sins are often a continuation or imitation of past rebellion. It shows a deeper understanding of their own brokenness and why they are in such a dire situation. It's recognizing that the rebellion isn't new, but has a long, tragic history within their community.
In times of crisis, what's the first step toward healing and hope? Jeremiah points us to a humble, honest admission.
This verse isn't just a statement of fact; it's a prayer, a form of confession that unlocks God's mercy. Jeremiah, speaking for a remnant of faithful people, models what true repentance looks like.
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More Than Just Words
While hypocrites might offer easy, superficial admissions of guilt, Jeremiah speaks of a real confession. It's not just saying the words "we have sinned"; it's an internal, heartfelt acknowledgment of wrongdoing that leads to a change of heart and mind. This deep sense of sorrow and self-condemnation is the first step toward turning back to God.
Anticipating God's Judgment
By confessing their sins and the sins of their fathers, they are essentially "getting ahead" of God's judgment. They aren't waiting for Him to declare them guilty; they are proactively admitting their deservedness of punishment. This humble self-condemnation paves the way for them to seek God's forgiveness and mercy, recognizing that their only hope lies in Him.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), the self-existent One who enters into a personal, binding relationship with His people.
reša‘ · Hebrew Noun
Moral perversity or deviation from the standard of God's law; it often refers to the internal corruption that leads to sinful acts.
‘āwōn · Hebrew Noun
Distortion, injustice, or guilt resulting from intentional wrongdoing; it implies a twisting of the moral order that requires divine forgiveness.
ḥāṭā' · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark of God's holiness, whether by commission or omission; it is a fundamental rebellion against God's sovereign authority and covenant requirements.
Jeremiah's confession in chapter 14 comes during the devastating Babylonian conquest. It highlights that the current suffering is not random but a direct consequence of generations of unfaithfulness, a historical pattern the people are finally forced to confront.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of unfaithfulness to God.
626 BC
Jeremiah Begins His Ministry
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah. His ministry takes place during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian conquest, characterized by spiritual decline and political instability.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and carries away notable citizens, including Daniel. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile and a significant turning point in its history.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon again invades Judah, deposing King Jehoiachin and exiling more of the population, including the prophet Ezekiel. This intensifies the sense of impending doom.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar finally destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, exiling the remaining population. This is the devastating culmination of Judah's disobedience.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah's Confession of National Sin
In the midst of the kingdom's destruction and exile, Jeremiah, speaking for the faithful remnant, offers this profound confession. It acknowledges both personal and ancestral sin as the root cause of their catastrophe.
This verse speaks to the inherited nature of sin, where the iniquity of parents can affect their children, directly paralleling Jeremiah's confession of generational sin.
Daniel 9:8Daniel's prayer of confession also includes acknowledging the sins of his fathers and ancestors, demonstrating a similar posture of humility and corporate responsibility before God.
Psalm 51:1-5David's deep repentance focuses on his personal sin against God, but also acknowledges his sinful nature inherited from birth, reflecting the 'wickedness' and 'iniquity' confessed in Jeremiah.
Luke 11:4Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for forgiveness of sins, 'for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us,' highlighting the relational aspect of sin and the need for confessed wrongdoing.
barnesJeremiah 14:20: "We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee."
Our wickedness, and - Omit and. National sin is the sin of the fathers, perpetuated generation after generation by the children.
calvinJeremiah 14:20: "We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee."
- Cognoscimus, Jehova, scelus nostrum, et iniquitatem patrum nostrorum; quoniam scelerate egimus in te (cht'nv, quanquam rs et cht' idem fere sunt, tamen simpliciter concludit, quod scelerate egerint adversus Deum.)
The Prophet here prescribes no doubt to the Jews the way of appeasing God. He before uttered a prayer, partly in order to reprove the people for their wicke…
This confession isn't just about personal sin; it acknowledges a deep, inherited spiritual brokenness, an "iniquity of our fathers" that has been passed down. It's a profound admission that their present struggles are inextricably linked to the unrepented sins of generations before them.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking for a remnant of God's people, is in a desperate situation, likely during a severe drought and facing imminent judgment from God. Before this verse, Jeremiah has already offered a prayer for relief and pleaded with God not to forsake His people. This confession is an acknowledgment of their deep-seated sinfulness, recognizing that both their current transgressions and the inherited wickedness of their ancestors have brought God's wrath upon them.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking for a remnant of God's people, is in a desperate situation, likely during a severe drought and facing imminent judgment from God. Before this verse, Jeremiah has already offered a prayer for relief and pleaded with God not to forsake His people. This confession is an acknowledgment of their deep-seated sinfulness, recognizing that both their current transgressions and the inherited wickedness of their ancestors have brought God's wrath upon them.
"We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you." — This confession isn't just about personal sin; it acknowledges a deep, inherited spiritual brokenness, an "iniquity of our fathers" that has been passed down. It's a profound admission that their pre…
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Last reviewed October 2026