Jeremiah 14:21 Meaning: When We Have Broken the Covenant

Do not abhor us, for your name’s sake. Do not disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember, and don’t break your covenant with us.

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Meaning in one sentence

Jeremiah 14:21 meaning: A desperate prayer for God to act for His own name's sake, even when His people have failed.

Jeremiah Old Testament Hebrew

Context

This verse is part of a desperate prayer during a terrible drought. Jeremiah sees the land dying, the people suffering, and no relief in sight. He has already been told by God that even Moses and Samuel could not change His mind about the coming judgment (Jer 15:1). Yet here the prophet intercedes again. The people confess their own wickedness and the sins of their ancestors (v20). Then they make their appeal: not based on their worth, but on God's name, His glorious throne, and His covenant. The request is bold. The people have broken the covenant themselves, yet they beg God not to abandon it entirely. They are grasping at the only hope left: God's own character and promises.

Key Words

The Hebrew verb for "abhor" (n'ats) means to spurn or treat as worthless. The people are asking God not to throw them away like something useless. The second verb, "disgrace" (nabbel), carries the sense of making something vile or contemptible. They plead: do not treat your glorious throne as if it means nothing. These are not casual requests. They are crying out that God should not treat them as they deserve, and they know they deserve to be rejected.

The word "remember" (zakhar) is richer than just recalling a fact. In the Hebrew mind, remembering means to act on what you remember. When God remembers His covenant, He steps in to keep it. The people are not asking God to forget their sin. They are asking Him to act on His own promise, even when they have failed. That is the only ground they have to stand on.

How Christians Read This Verse

Christians have read this verse as a model of repentant prayer. Calvin saw Jeremiah representing the true Church, a small faithful remnant crying out for mercy. Matthew Henry noted that the prayer appeals to God's glory, not human worth. The plea is based entirely on who God is. Gill emphasized that the people deserved to be abhorred, yet they dared to ask God to act for His own sake. The boldness is striking: the people had broken the covenant, but they ask God not to break it. Across traditions, this verse is understood as a desperate, humble faith that clings to God's faithfulness when our own has failed.

A common misunderstanding

Some readers think this verse means God's covenant is unconditional, that we can sin and still claim His promises without repentance. In fact, the prayer begins with full confession in verse 20. The people do not minimize their sin. They admit it. Then they appeal to God's name and covenant, not as a right, but as a plea for mercy. This is not a demand based on their goodness. It is a cry based on God's character.

Living This Out

You may have made promises to God that you did not keep. Maybe you vowed to change, to pray more, to stop a certain sin. And you failed. Now you feel too ashamed to ask God for help. This verse shows you a better way. You can come to God honestly, admit your failure, as the people did. Then look to something beyond yourself: God's name, His reputation, His commitment to His people. Your prayer does not have to be strong. It just has to be real. This week, when you feel unworthy, try praying like this: "Lord, I have broken my promise. But for Your name's sake, help me."

Main takeaway: Because God acts for His own name's sake, we can pray for mercy even when we have broken our promises to Him.

For Families

For ages 5, 8

God's people made a mistake. They broke their promise to God. But they asked God to help them because He always keeps His promises.

For ages 9, 12

In this verse, the people confess their sin. They know they have failed God. But instead of hiding, they pray boldly. They remind God of His reputation and the covenant He made. They know that God's love is stronger than their failure. When you mess up, you can pray the same way: "God, help me, not because I'm good, but because You are good."

Questions People Ask

What does "do not abhor us" mean in this verse?

The Hebrew word for "abhor" (n'ats) means to spurn or treat as worthless. Jeremiah is asking God not to reject His people as something worthless, even though they have sinned. It is a plea for mercy based on God's character, not their merit.

What is "the throne of your glory" in Jeremiah 14:21?

Most commentators understand this as Jerusalem or the temple. The throne of God's glory was the place where God's presence dwelled among His people. Disgracing it would mean allowing it to be destroyed or profaned by enemies, which would bring dishonor to God's name.

How can the people ask God not to break the covenant when they have already broken it?

This is the heart of the verse. The people fully confess their sin (v20). They do not pretend they have kept the covenant. Instead, they appeal to God's own faithfulness. They ask Him to act for His name's sake, not because they deserve it. God's covenant is grounded in His character, not human worth.

Is this prayer a model for how Christians should pray today?

Yes, many Christians see this as a pattern of repentant prayer. We come to God honestly admitting our failure, then we cling to His promises and His name. We do not bargain with our own goodness. We rely on His faithfulness. That kind of prayer is humble and bold at the same time.

What does "for your name's sake" mean in the Bible?

"For your name's sake" means acting to uphold God's own reputation, honor, and character. In the Old Testament, God's name represents His revealed nature. When His people pray this way, they are asking God to act in a way that shows who He is: merciful, faithful, and powerful. It is not about human worth but about God's glory.

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