Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah 32

The big picture

Jeremiah 32 opens in verse 1 with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 22 with “And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a…”, and closes in verse 44 with “Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, hand, city, king, Israel. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Jeremiah · King James Version · 44

Jeremiah 32:1-8

1–8: The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of…

Jeremiah 32:1–8 opens with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which…” and reaches “So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by king, LORD, word.

Context that brings the passage to life

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth…” Naming Jeremiah and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD …” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD : though ye fight with…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Jeremiah 32:1-8

King James Version

1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.

2For then the king of Babylon’s army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house.

3For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD , Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

4And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

5And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD : though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

6And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.

8So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD , and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD .

Jeremiah 32:9-16

9–16: I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and…

Jeremiah 32:9–16 opens with “And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the…” and reaches “Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by evidence, purchase, Baruch.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen…” Naming Anathoth and Hanameel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And I charged Baruch before them, saying,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Jeremiah 32:9-16

King James Version

9And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.

10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

11So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

12And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

13And I charged Baruch before them, saying,

14Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.

15For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.

16Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD , saying,

Jeremiah 32:17-24

17–24: Ah Lord GOD ! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy…

Jeremiah 32:17–24 opens with “Ah Lord GOD ! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched…” and reaches “Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by land, city, Egypt.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Ah Lord GOD ! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong…” Naming Egypt and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing…” The line’s distinctive content terms include caused, commandedst, evil. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

Jeremiah 32:17-24

King James Version

17Ah Lord GOD ! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

20Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

21And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;

22And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;

23And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:

24Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

Jeremiah 32:25-32

25–32: Thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD , Buy thee the field for money, and…

Jeremiah 32:25–32 opens with “And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD , Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for…” and reaches “Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by children, city, LORD.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD , Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into…” Naming Buy and Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, I am the LORD , the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Jeremiah 32:25-32

King James Version

25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD , Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

27Behold, I am the LORD , the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

28Therefore thus saith the LORD ; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:

29And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

30For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD .

31For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

32Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 32:33-40

33–40: They have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught…

Jeremiah 32:33–40 opens with “And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early…” and reaches “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by cause, fear, good.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet…” The line’s distinctive content terms include back, early, face. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include anger, cause, countries. Its relationship to verses 36 and 38 shows what work it does in this passage.

Jeremiah 32:33-40

King James Version

33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

36And now therefore thus saith the LORD , the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Jeremiah 32:41-44

41–44: Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in…

Jeremiah 32:41–44 opens with “Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with…” and reaches “Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jeremiah 32 develops its own movement around LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, with particular weight carried by cities, land, fields.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and…” Naming Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For thus saith the LORD ; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Jeremiah 32:41-44

King James Version

41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

42For thus saith the LORD ; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

43And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

44Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD .

Details worth noticing

44verses in this reading
6major movements
4verses with speech
1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Jeremiah 32:1 begins with “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.”

Where the chapter turns

Jeremiah 32:26 forms a natural hinge: “Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,”

The final note

Jeremiah 32:44 leaves the reader with “Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and…”

A word trail through the chapter

The words LORD, hand, city, king, Israel, Judah help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

How does Jacob's prayer differ from self-confidence?

He admits fear and unworthiness, appeals to God's words and asks to be rescued.

What accompanies the blessing?

A wound and a limp. The narrative joins dependence with the new identity.

KJV words made clear

behold
look, or pay close attention
unto
to
thee
you
thou
you
thy
your

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.