“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The deepest plea isn't just for relief, but for God to act based on His own character and reputation. Even while confessing their massive sins, they appeal to the LORD not for their sake, but for the sake of His Name, trusting He'll uphold His own glory by showing mercy.
“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A severe drought has gripped the land, causing widespread suffering for both people and animals, as described in the preceding verses. Jeremiah, witnessing this devastation, turns to God in prayer, acknowledging that their current misery is a just consequence of their numerous sins and repeated betrayals of God's covenant. He pleads for God to act, not based on their worthiness, but for the sake of God's own reputation and promises.
We often think of our sins as something to hide from God. But what if God sees them as evidence for His action?
Jeremiah 14:7 begins with a startling confession: 'Though our iniquities testify against us.' This isn't just saying 'we've sinned.' It's framing our sin as evidence that God's actions toward them, however severe (like the drought), are justified. Our wrongdoings aren't just marks against us; they are witnesses to God's righteousness. Yet, paradoxically, this very testimony becomes the starting point for their plea. They aren't saying, 'We're innocent,' but rather, 'Our guilt is clear, and because it's clear, you know we deserve only judgment. BUT...' This sets up the powerful plea that follows.
When we feel we deserve nothing from God, on what grounds can we possibly pray?
The heart of Jeremiah's plea is 'act, O LORD, for your name’s sake.' They acknowledge their 'many backslidings' and that they have 'sinned against' God. They know they don't merit His favor. So, they appeal to something greater than their own worthiness: God's reputation. Praying 'for Your name's sake' means appealing to God's character, His promises, His honor, and His covenant faithfulness. It's saying, 'Lord, your very nature is merciful, your promises are true, and your reputation is on the line. Please act, not because we are worthy, but because You are God, and acting according to Your glorious character will bring You glory.' This is a profound theological pivot: from their sin to His renown.
Understand the original words
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avon · Hebrew Noun
Refers to specific acts of wrongdoing or moral perversity that violate God's law. It carries the sense of twisting or distorting that which is right and acknowledges personal and corporate guilt.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), revealed to Moses, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His covenant people.
meshubah · Hebrew Noun
A turning away or apostasy from God. It describes a deliberate departure from the path of obedience and a betrayal of the covenant relationship with the Lord.
chata · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark; a failure to conform to God's standard of holiness. It denotes disobedience, rebellion against God's law, and a rupture in the relationship between God and humanity.
This prayer from Jeremiah likely echoes the deep despair and spiritual reckoning of the Judean people during or immediately after the Babylonian exile. The confession of iniquity and backsliding resonates with the national catastrophe of Jerusalem's destruction, highlighting their plea for God's mercy not based on their merit, but on His Name and promises.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance over Judah
Judah experienced increasing political pressure and eventual vassalage under the Neo-Assyrian Empire, influencing internal policies and religious practices.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquered Judah, deporting some of the elite, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of Judah's decline and captivity.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Another wave of exiles, including the priest Ezekiel, were taken to Babylon. Jerusalem's temple was despoiled, intensifying the crisis of faith.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians razed Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, scattering the remaining population and marking the devastating climax of God's judgment on Judah.
c. 586 BC - 539 BC
The Babylonian Exile
The majority of the Judean people lived in exile in Babylon, grappling with their identity, faith, and the meaning of God's judgment.
This passage describes God's character as merciful and gracious, a core reason for Jeremiah's plea that God act for His name's sake, not based on the people's merit.
Psalm 106:8This psalm echoes Jeremiah's sentiment, showing how God saved His people 'for His name's sake, that He might make His mighty power known,' highlighting the theme of God acting for His own glory even when His people are unfaithful.
Isaiah 43:25Here, God declares, 'I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,' directly linking His forgiveness and action to His own name and honor, a powerful parallel to Jeremiah's prayer.
Ezekiel 20:9This verse states, 'But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations,' demonstrating God's consistent principle of acting to preserve His reputation, just as Jeremiah appeals to Him.
Romans 3:23-24Paul explains that all have sinned and fall short, yet are justified freely by God's grace through redemption in Christ, reflecting the idea that God's action is based on His character and mercy, not human deserving, similar to Jeremiah's plea.
barnesJeremiah 14:7: "O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee."
Do thou it - Rather, "deal thou, act thou for Thy Name's sake, i. e., not according to the strict measure of right and wrong, but as a God merciful and gracious.
clarkeJeremiah 14:7: "O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee."
O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us - We deeply acknowledge that we have sinned, and deserve nothing but death. Yet act for thy name's sake - work in our behalf, that we perish not.
The deepest plea isn't just for relief, but for God to act based on His own character and reputation. Even while confessing their massive sins, they appeal to the LORD not for their sake, but for the sake of His Name, trusting He'll uphold His own glory by showing mercy.
A severe drought has gripped the land, causing widespread suffering for both people and animals, as described in the preceding verses. Jeremiah, witnessing this devastation, turns to God in prayer, acknowledging that their current misery is a just consequence of their numerous sins and repeated betrayals of God's covenant. He pleads for God to act, not based on their worthiness, but for the sake of God's own reputation and promises.
A severe drought has gripped the land, causing widespread suffering for both people and animals, as described in the preceding verses. Jeremiah, witnessing this devastation, turns to God in prayer, acknowledging that their current misery is a just consequence of their numerous sins and repeated betrayals of God's covenant. He pleads for God to act, not based on their worthiness, but for the sake of God's own reputation and promises.
"“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you." — The deepest plea isn't just for relief, but for God to act based on His own character and reputation. Even while confessing their massive sins, they appeal to the LORD not for their sake, but for t…
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Last reviewed October 2026