CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Jeremiah 32
Chapter 32 of 52
Chapter Overview
What happens in Jeremiah 32
While imprisoned and with the Babylonian army besieging Jerusalem, Jeremiah buys a field in Anathoth as a sign that God will one day restore the land. He prays a powerful prayer acknowledging God's greatness. God confirms that though he is handing the city to Babylon, he will gather his people back and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Scripture
Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah Buys a Field
Study note
In the tenth year of Zedekiah's reign, while Jeremiah is in prison and Babylon besieges Jerusalem, God tells Jeremiah his cousin Hanamel will come to sell a field. When Hanamel arrives, Jeremiah buys the field, signs the deed, has it witnessed, and gives the documents to Baruch for safekeeping. This is a sign that houses, fields, and vineyards will be bought and sold in the land again.
1 This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord. It was the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah. That was the eighteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar. 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.
2 At that time, Babylon's army had Jerusalem boxed in. Jeremiah the prophet was locked up. He was in the guard's yard inside the king's palace. For 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.
3 King Zedekiah of Judah had locked him up. The king demanded, "Why do you keep saying that the Lord says, 'I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will capture it'?" For 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;
4 "King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape the Babylonians. He will definitely be handed over to the king of Babylon and will speak to him face to face." And 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;
5 "Zedekiah will be taken to Babylon and will stay there until I deal with him," says the Lord. "If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed." And 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?
6 Jeremiah said, "The Lord gave me this message:" And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
7 "'Your cousin Hanamel will come to you. He is the son of Shallum. He will say, "Buy my field in Anathoth. You are my closest kin. You have the right and duty to buy it."'" Behold, 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.
8 Just as the Lord said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, "Please buy my field in Anathoth, in the territory of Benjamin. You have the right to buy it and keep it in the family. Buy it for yourself." That's when I knew this was truly from the Lord. So 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.
9 So I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out seventeen pieces of silver for him. And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
10 I signed the deed, sealed it, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
11 I took the deed of purchase — both the sealed copy with its terms and conditions and the open copy — So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
12 and I gave the deed to Baruch son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah. I did this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the people of Judah who were sitting in the courtyard of the guard. And 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.
13 While they were all watching, I gave Baruch these instructions: And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
14 "The Lord of Armies, Israel's God, says this. Take both copies of the deed. Take the sealed one and the open one. Put them in a clay jar. They must be kept safe for a long time." Thus 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.
15 "The Lord of Armies, Israel's God, says this. 'One day, people will buy houses, fields, and vineyards in this land again.'" For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
Jeremiah's Prayer
Study note
After buying the field, Jeremiah prays. He praises God as the Creator who made heaven and earth with his great power. Nothing is too hard for God. He brought Israel out of Egypt and gave them this land, but they disobeyed. Now the siege ramps are at the city walls, and everything God said is coming true. Yet God told him to buy a field!
16 After I had given the deed to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord: Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
17 "Oh Lord God! You made the heavens and the earth with your enormous power and your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!" Ah 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:
18 "You show loyal love to thousands of generations, but you also let children experience the consequences of their parents' sins. You are the great and mighty God — the Lord of Armies is your name." Thou 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,
19 "Your plans are massive and your actions are powerful. You watch how everyone lives, and you reward each person according to how they act and what they produce." 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 according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
20 "You performed miraculous signs and amazing things in Egypt and continue to do so in Israel and among all people to this very day. You have made a name for yourself that is known even now." Which 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;
21 "You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders. You used a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and great, amazing power." And 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;
22 "You gave them this land that you had promised to their ancestors on oath — a land overflowing with milk and honey." And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
23 "They came in and took ownership of it, but they refused to obey you or follow your law. They did not do any of the things you told them to do. Therefore you have brought all this disaster on them." And 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:
24 "Look! The siege ramps are already piled up against the city walls. Because of war, famine, and disease, the city is about to be handed over to the Babylonians who are attacking it. Everything you warned about is happening — you can see it yourself." Behold 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.
25 "And yet, Lord God, the city is about to fall to Babylon. But you told me, 'Buy the field with silver. Bring in witnesses.'" And 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.
God's Answer: Judgment Then Restoration
Study note
God responds to Jeremiah's prayer. He asks, 'Is anything too hard for me?' He confirms the city will be given to Babylon because of the people's sins. They worshipped Baal, sacrificed children to Molech, and turned their backs on God.
26 Then the Lord gave Jeremiah this message: Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
27 "I am the Lord, the God of every living person. Is anything too hard for me?" Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
28 "So the Lord says this. I am giving this city to the army of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar will take it." Therefore 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:
29 "The Babylonian soldiers attacking this city will break in and set it on fire. They will burn down the houses where people made me angry. The people had burned incense to Baal on their rooftops and poured out drink offerings to other gods." And 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.
30 "The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from the time they were young. The people of Israel have done nothing but make me angry with the things their hands have made," says the Lord. For 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.
31 "From the day it was built until right now, this city has done nothing but make me angry and furious. So I must remove it from my sight." For 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,
32 "The people of Israel and Judah have made me angry. Their kings, leaders, priests, and prophets did evil. So did the people of Judah and Jerusalem." Because 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.
33 "They turned their backs to me instead of their faces. Even though I taught them over and over, they refused to listen or learn anything." And 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.
34 "They set up their disgusting idols right inside the Temple that carries my name, making it unclean." But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
35 "They built places to worship Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. There they gave up their sons and daughters as offerings to the god Molek. I never told them to do this. It never even crossed my mind that they would do such a terrible thing and cause Judah to sin." And 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.
The Everlasting Covenant
Study note
Despite the coming destruction, God promises to gather his people from all countries and bring them back. He will give them one heart and one purpose. He will make an everlasting covenant and never stop doing good for them. People will once again buy fields in this land.
36 "Now then, you are right when you say this city will be handed over to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease. But here is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:" And 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;
37 "I will certainly gather my people from every country where I scattered them in my anger, fury, and great rage. I will bring them back to this place and let them live here safely." Behold, 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:
38 "They will be my people, and I will be their God." And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
39 "I will give them one heart and one goal. They will always honor me — for their own good and for the good of their children after them." And 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:
40 "I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them. And I will put the desire to honor me deep in their hearts, so they will never walk away from me." And 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.
41 "I will take joy in doing good things for them. With all my heart and soul, I will faithfully plant them in this land and help them grow." Yea, 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.
42 "The Lord says this. I brought all this trouble on these people. Now I will also bring them all the good things I promised." For 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.
43 "Fields will be bought in this land again, even though you are now saying, 'It is an empty wasteland. No people or animals are left. It has been handed over to the Babylonians.'" And 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.
44 "People will buy fields with silver again. They will sign and seal deeds with witnesses. This will happen in the land of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah, in the hills, in the western foothills, and in the southern desert. I will bring them back from being held captive," says the Lord. 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 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.
Key Themes
Themes in Jeremiah 32
Faith demonstrated through actionBuying land as a sign of hopeNothing too hard for GodPrayer during impossible circumstancesFuture restoration of the land
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Jeremiah 32:27 Luke 1:37
God's rhetorical question -- 'Is anything too hard for me?' -- echoes through the angel Gabriel's words to Mary: 'Nothing will be impossible with God,' affirming divine omnipotence across both testaments.
Apply This Today
Living Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah bought a field during a siege, demonstrating radical faith in God's promise of restoration. Sometimes God asks us to invest in a future we cannot yet see. Acting on faith when circumstances seem hopeless is one of the most powerful testimonies we can offer.
Go Deeper
Study Jeremiah in Covenant Path
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