Jeremiah Buys a Field During the Siege
Jer 32:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
Jer 32:2 The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.
Jer 32:3 Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, “Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.
Jer 32:4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes.
Jer 32:5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.'”
Jer 32:6 Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came to me:
Jer 32:7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’
Jer 32:8 “Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’ “I knew that this was the word of the LORD;
Jer 32:9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver.
Jer 32:10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
Jer 32:11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy—
Jer 32:12 and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.
Jer 32:13 “In their presence I gave Baruch these instructions:
Jer 32:14 ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.
Jer 32:15 For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’
Jeremiah Prays for Understanding
Jer 32:16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD:
Jer 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jer 32:18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty,
Jer 32:19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
Jer 32:20 You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.
Jer 32:21 You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror.
Jer 32:22 You gave them this land you had sworn to give their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Jer 32:23 They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.
Jer 32:24 “See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see.
Jer 32:25 And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign LORD, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.'”
Jer 32:26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 32:27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jer 32:28 Therefore this is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it.
Jer 32:29 The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people aroused my anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.
Jer 32:30 “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but arouse my anger with what their hands have made, declares the LORD.
Jer 32:31 From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight.
Jer 32:32 The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem.
Jer 32:33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.
Jer 32:34 They set up their vile images in the house that bears my Name and defiled it.
Jer 32:35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.
They Shall Be My People; I Will Be Their God
Jer 32:36 “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon’; but this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:
Jer 32:37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.
Jer 32:38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.
Jer 32:39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
Jer 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
Jer 32:41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
Jer 32:42 “This is what the LORD says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.
Jer 32:43 Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’
Jer 32:44 Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the LORD.”
1 Jeremiah, being imprisoned by Zedekiah for his prophecy, 6 buys Hanameel’s field. 13 Baruch must preserve the evidences, as tokens of the people’s return. 16 Jeremiah in his prayer complaints to God. 26 God confirmed the captivity for their sins, 36 and promised a gracious return.
Jeremiah Buys a Field During the Siege
Jer 32:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
The tenth year. 588/87 b.c., during the final siege of Jerusalem (see on ch. 52:4). This synchronism between the 10th year of Zedekiah and the 18th of Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most valuable in the OT for the purposes of Bible chronology.
Jer 32:2 The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.
Zedekiah’s policy of treachery and intrigue caused Nebuchadnezzar to besiege Jerusalem. It was at this time that the king of Judah, provoked to anger by Jeremiah’s persistent predictions of defeat (see vs. 3–5; chs. 34:2, 3; 38:20–23), had the prophet “shut up in the court of the prison” (see Neh. 3:25).
Actually, Nebuchadnezzar began to besiege Jerusalem in the 9th year of Zedekiah’s reign (see on Jer. 39:1), but he had been forced temporarily to abandon the siege because of the approach of an Egyptian army (see ch. 37:5, 11). From the time of the beginning of the siege (see ch. 39:1), until the temporary lifting of the siege by the Babylonians, Jeremiah had been at liberty in the city (see on ch. 37:4).
Following the prophet’s attempt to return to Anathoth, and the misrepresentation of his motives by his enemies (see ch. 37:11–14), Jeremiah was imprisoned “in the house of Jonathan the scribe” (ch. 37:15). At the prisoner’s request the king had taken Jeremiah from there to “the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house,” perhaps in order that the prophet would be readily available for consultation as to the probable result of the siege (see ch. 37:20, 21).
Jer 32:3 Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, “Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.
It is to be noted that the prophecy quoted in vs. 3–5 was uttered by Jeremiah at an earlier time and is here referred to by Zedekiah as the reason for putting him in prison. The delivery of this message to Zedekiah is recorded in ch. 34:2, 3.
Jer 32:4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes.
This is significant in view of Ezekiel’s prophecy (see on Eze. 12:13). Nebuchadnezzar put “out Zedekiah’s eyes” (see Jer. 39:7), and so the Babylonian conqueror’s face, which struck terror because of its wrath, was one of the last objects the king of Judah was to see on earth (see Jer. 52:10, 11; cf. 2 Kings 25:6, 7).
Jer 32:5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.'”
Zedekiah, blinded and miserable, lived out his final years in prison in Babylon (see ch. 52:11). The fact that he was not mentioned when Evil-Merodach released Jehoiachin from prison (see ch. 52:31) would seem to indicate that by that time Zedekiah was dead.
Visit. See on Ps. 8:4; 59:5.
Jer 32:7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’
Hanamel. Beyond his being the prophet’s first cousin (see vs. 8, 9), nothing is revealed in the Bible about him. Since up to “the year of jubilee” land could be sold, a person’s next of kin was given the first opportunity to exercise “the right of redemption” (Jer. 32:7; see on Lev. 25:23–25; Ruth 3:12; 4:1–6).
Buy thee my field.
Through Jeremiah’s purchase of land in Anathoth, the prophet gave an indisputable proof of his belief in God’s message that, though the Israelites were to be carried away into captivity, they would return to their own land and fields (see v. 44).
This incident had a parallel in the history of Rome when the patriotic citizens of that city bought land at the full market value at the very time when Hannibal, the Carthaginian conqueror, was marching toward the capital on the Tiber (see Livy xxvi. 11).
Jer 32:8 “Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’ “I knew that this was the word of the LORD;
Hanamel’s field was probably already under the control of the armies that were then besieging Jerusalem (see on v. 2). This alone was sufficient to induce Hanamel to sell his field. In addition, it may be that Hanamel felt that, because of Jeremiah’s urging to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, there would be a strong likelihood that the Chaldeans would protect the prophet and his interests.
Jer 32:9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver.
Seventeen shekels of silver. This amount, in its Babylonian equivalent, would have a purchasing power of one ox or about nine sheep or goats.
Jer 32:10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
That is, the deed of conveyance. It was “sealed” to protect it against any unauthorized alterations. All was done in strict legal form, to give added force to the acted parable.
Since in ancient times metal money was evaluated more as bullion than as coinage, it was “weighed” (see Gen. 23:16; Zech. 11:12).
Jer 32:11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy—
Jeremiah was not placed in close confinement, but was in the court of the prison (see v. 2). This acted parable, carried out in the presence of many witnesses, would soon be known throughout the city. By this act of apparent folly, the prophet emphasized the certainty of his prediction that the people, though carried away captive by the Babylonians, would be returned to their own land (see v. 15).
Jer 32:14 ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time.
Clay jar. It was not uncommon for the ancients to place their most precious treasures in such containers (see 2 Cor. 4:7), for such vessels were a better protection against dampness and decay than those made of wood. The famous Dead Sea scrolls were preserved in such jars.
Last along time. A warning that the captives were not to expect a speedy return to their homeland.
Jer 32:15 For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’
The prophet himself could never hope to receive personal benefit from his purchase. He was no longer young, and he himself had predicted that the time of captivity would last for 70 years. However, the prophet held before the people in parable the glorious hope of a return from the land of exile.
Jeremiah Prays for Understanding
Jer 32:16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD:
Jeremiah now begins one of the most earnest intercessions for the people of God we have recorded in the Bible (see Ezra 9:5–15; Isa. 37:16–20; Dan. 9:3–19).
Jer 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
God’s omnipotence furnishes the basis of the prophet’s humble but earnest petition (see Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:27).
Jer 32:18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty,
Love. Heb. chesed, “divine love” (see Additional Note on Psalm 36). This verse presents the two foundations of the divine rule: God’s love and grace, and His justice (see Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; Ps. 89:14).
Jer 32:19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
This ascription, together with the previous one, “the Mighty God,” uses a wording similar to that recorded by Isaiah in one of his great prophecies of Christ (see Isa. 9:6).
Jer 32:20 You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.
The meaning is either that the “signs and wonders” God wrought in Egypt when He delivered His people were still vivid in the minds of the people of Jeremiah’s time or that “signs and wonders” begun in Egypt had continued till the present.
Jer 32:24 “See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see.
The siege ramps. That is, the towers or banks that were used in siege operations (see on ch. 6:6). As predicted by Jeremiah, the Babylonians were even then besieging Jerusalem. The towering assault works were visible to the inhabitants of the doomed city. It was impossible for the Israelites to escape the sufferings “of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence.”
Jer 32:25 And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign LORD, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.'”
The words seem to reflect a questioning tone. In the face of the Babylonian assault against Judah and Jerusalem it was pardonably difficult for the prophet to understand the divine command to purchase “the field for money, and take witnesses.”
Jer 32:27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
God would strengthen Jeremiah’s faith and confirm his confidence in obeying the command to buy the field (see v. 17).
Jer 32:28 Therefore this is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it.
Jer 32:29 The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people aroused my anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.
Jer 32:31 From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight.
Jerusalem was a Jebusite city before David took it (2 Sam. 5:6–10). It was subsequently rebuilt and enlarged. However, the idolatry of Judah’s kings made it the source of continual provocation.
Jer 32:32 The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials, their priests and prophets, the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem.
Priests and prophets. Again the spiritual leaders are singled out and indicted as a class (see on ch. 2:8), along with the civil leaders and the people.
Jer 32:33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.
Turned their backs to me. A gesture of contempt and aversion (see chs. 2:27; 7:24; 18:17).
Jer 32:34 They set up their vile images in the house that bears my Name and defiled it.
Had been committed by Ahaz (2 Chron. 28:1–4) and repeated by Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1–9; 2 Chron. 33:1–9) after Hezekiah had cleansed the Temple of these iniquitous practices (2 Chron. 29). Later Josiah endeavoured to stamp out idolatry (2 Kings 22; 23; 2 Chron. 34:25), but it seems evident that idolatry still persisted after his death.
Jer 32:35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do
High places. The heights upon which idolatry was practiced (see 2 Kings 17:9–11; 2 Chron. 31:1).
Hinnom. See on chs. 7:29, 31; 19:2.
Jer 32:37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety
I will gather them.
Jer 32:38 They will be my people, and I will be their God.
My people. In vs. 38–40 God repeats His promise of the new “covenant” (ch. 31:31–34).
Jer 32:41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
A figure of speech suggesting security and permanence.
Jer 32:42 “This is what the LORD says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.
This great evil. See on ch. 11:11.
Jer 32:43 Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’
To the despairing Israelites who felt that the Babylonians would deprive them of their land forever, the assurance was given that their descendants would again possess the fields of Judah. Jeremiah’s transaction of buying the field of Anathoth was a prophetic confirmation, as it were, of this assurance (see on v. 15).
As the besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem viewed the desolation wrought by the Chaldeans upon their beloved land of Judah, they gave vent to their feelings in these vivid words. Already Jeremiah’s prediction of desolation to come upon the land (ch. 4:25; see on ch. 4:20, 23) was fulfilled before the eyes of the people.
Jer 32:44 Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the LORD.”
The geographical features here noted describe the well-known area of the land of Judah (see Joshua 15). This particular reference seems to make no mention of the land that formerly belonged to the northern kingdom of Israel. Their captivity. Lest anyone miss the point of the acted parable the Lord proclaims the certainty of return from captivity. The very fact that the Lord had foretold the Captivity, which had now come to pass, confirmed the promise of return.