Jeremiah 14:7-9
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This prayer isn't just about asking God to fix a problem; it's a desperate plea for Him to act based on His reputation, not their worthiness. They confess their "iniquities testify against us," admitting they deserve punishment, yet they pivot to "act, O LORD, for your name's sake," a bold gamble that God's own character is the ultimate argument for their deliverance.
“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's people are suffering from a severe drought, and Jeremiah is bringing their desperate situation before the Lord. He acknowledges that their own unfaithfulness and repeated sins have brought this judgment upon them, but he pleads with God to act anyway, not because they deserve it, but for the sake of God's own reputation and promises.
When faced with disaster, we often look for external causes. But Jeremiah points to something far more uncomfortable: ourselves.
The prophet doesn't shy away from the painful truth. He declares, "Though our iniquities testify against us... we have sinned against you." This isn't just a casual admission; it's a stark acknowledgment that their suffering is a direct result of their own actions. Their sins aren't hidden; they 'testify against' them, acting like witnesses to their guilt. This confession highlights a crucial spiritual principle: true repentance begins with owning our failures, not deflecting blame.
When we feel we've exhausted all our own merits, where can we turn? Jeremiah reveals a powerful, yet often overlooked, source of hope.
Despite the heavy confession of sin, the prayer doesn't end in despair. The prophet pleads, 'act, O LORD, for your name’s sake.' This is a profound shift. It’s not asking God to act because they are worthy, but because He is God. They are appealing to His reputation, His character, His promises, and His glory. It's like saying, 'God, we know we don't deserve it, but please act because it honors who You are!' This plea acknowledges that God's mercy and faithfulness are the ultimate basis for hope, even when our own record is terrible.
Jeremiah speaks of 'backslidings' – a word that carries a specific weight in the Bible. What does this repeated falling away reveal?
The phrase 'our backslidings are many' points to a pattern of behavior. It’s not just a single mistake, but a recurring cycle of turning away from God and then, perhaps, returning, only to stray again. This repeated disobedience deeply grieves God and often leads to severe consequences, as seen in the drought described in this chapter. It highlights the persistent human tendency to wander from God's ways, even after experiencing His goodness. Understanding this cycle is key to recognizing the depth of their sin and the desperate need for God's intervention.
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Understand the original words
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.
miqveh · Hebrew Noun
An expectant, confident trust in God's promises and character. It is not wishful thinking but a secure anchor for the soul based on God's proven faithfulness throughout history.
yasha · Hebrew Noun/Participle
One who delivers, rescues, or preserves from danger and destruction. Biblically, God is the ultimate Savior who intervenes for His people, bringing salvation from enemies, circumstances, and ultimately, sin.
gur · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A person unknown or an outsider who does not belong to the covenant community. It implies distance, lack of intimacy, and unfamiliarity with the ways of God.
daham · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A state of being overwhelmed, helpless, or without direction. In theological contexts, it suggests a lack of ability to act or intervene effectively.
Jeremiah's prayer in this verse arises from the dire circumstances of Judah's near-total collapse and the destruction of Jerusalem. The people are facing devastating drought and the judgment of exile, yet they confess their deep-seated sins and plead for God's intervention, not based on their merit, but on God's own character and reputation.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations Begin
Under Assyrian kings like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, the northern Kingdom of Israel was systematically dismantled and its population deported, serving as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and begins deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and skilled laborers, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile and the loss of national sovereignty.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. This event further destabilizes Judah and increases the sense of impending doom.
c. 588-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
After a prolonged siege, Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. The city is destroyed, the Temple is desecrated and burned, and the remaining population is largely deported, fulfilling many of Jeremiah's prophecies.
c. 586 BC
Flight of Jeremiah to Egypt
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, a remnant of Judeans, against Jeremiah's counsel, flees to Egypt, taking the prophet with them. This marks a period of continued apostasy and despair for the Judean exiles.
This passage describes God's character as 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.' Jeremiah is appealing to this very character, asking God to act not based on their unworthiness, but on His own revealed nature.
Psalm 106:6Similar to Jeremiah, the Psalmist confesses the sins of Israel, 'we have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.' Both passages highlight the generational nature of sin and the need for God's intervention despite human failings.
Isaiah 43:25God says, 'I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; I will not remember your sins.' This echoes Jeremiah's plea 'for your name's sake,' showing that God's redemptive actions are rooted in His own honor and purposes, not in human merit.
Ezekiel 36:22God declares, 'It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I will do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations.' This reinforces the theme of God acting for His own glory, even when His people have brought shame upon His name through their sins.
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.
This prayer isn't just about asking God to fix a problem; it's a desperate plea for Him to act based on His reputation, not their worthiness. They confess their "iniquities testify against us," admitting they deserve punishment, yet they pivot to "act, O LORD, for your name's sake," a bold gamble that God's own character is the ultimate argument for their deliverance.
God's people are suffering from a severe drought, and Jeremiah is bringing their desperate situation before the Lord. He acknowledges that their own unfaithfulness and repeated sins have brought this judgment upon them, but he pleads with God to act anyway, not because they deserve it, but for the sake of God's own reputation and promises.
God's people are suffering from a severe drought, and Jeremiah is bringing their desperate situation before the Lord. He acknowledges that their own unfaithfulness and repeated sins have brought this judgment upon them, but he pleads with God to act anyway, not because they deserve it, 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. O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be…" — This prayer isn't just about asking God to fix a problem; it's a desperate plea for Him to act based on His reputation, not their worthiness. They confess their "iniquities testify against us," adm…
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Last reviewed October 2026
