Jeremiah 32 25

Jeremiah 32:25 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 32:25 nkjv

And You have said to me, O Lord GOD, "Buy the field for money, and take witnesses"!?yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.' "

Jeremiah 32:25 niv

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.'?"

Jeremiah 32:25 esv

Yet you, O Lord GOD, have said to me, "Buy the field for money and get witnesses" ? though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.'"

Jeremiah 32:25 nlt

And yet, O Sovereign LORD, you have told me to buy the field ? paying good money for it before these witnesses ? even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians."

Jeremiah 32 verses

Jeremiah 32 25 Meaning

The verse states that even though the fields and properties had been bought during the siege of Jerusalem by a man named Hanamel, who was Jeremiah's cousin, this transaction was done under duress due to the impending Babylonian conquest. Despite this, the act of purchasing was to be considered valid and legally binding, signifying God's ultimate promise of restoration and return to the land. This establishes the legal framework for the repurchase as a symbol of future redemption.

Jeremiah 32 25 Context

Jeremiah chapter 32 unfolds in the grim backdrop of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army. The city faces imminent destruction, and despair grips its inhabitants. In this context of overwhelming defeat and impending exile, God instructs Jeremiah to perform a deeply symbolic act: he is to purchase a field from his cousin Hanamel. This act, on the surface, seems irrational and foolish to the people. They are losing their property and possessions due to the war, and buying land during such a crisis appears to be a waste of money. However, God's purpose in this is to underscore His unwavering covenant faithfulness and His future promise of restoration. By completing this legal transaction, God demonstrates that even amidst devastation, His plans for redemption and future possession of the land for His people remain active and will ultimately prevail. It's a tangible sign that life, hope, and ownership will return to the land after the period of judgment.

Jeremiah 32 25 Word Analysis

• bought (Hebrew: qanah)
  • Literally: to get, acquire, obtain, possess, buy.
  • Significance: This word emphasizes the act of possession and acquisition. God uses this term to signify a rightful and legally recognized transfer of ownership. It points to the re-establishment of property rights and inheritance after exile.
• Hanamel (Hebrew: Ḥanam’ēl)
  • Meaning: "God has favoured" or "God is gracious."
  • Significance: The name itself is a subtle reminder of God's grace, even when His people are facing judgment.
• my cousin (Hebrew: ben-‘ammi)
  • Literally: "son of my uncle" or a close relative.
  • Significance: This detail highlights the family connection, making the transaction deeply personal and observable to the community, thereby magnifying the symbolic impact.
• field (Hebrew: śādeh)
  • Meaning: A tract of open or cultivated land, an estate, a plot.
  • Significance: The field represents the ancestral inheritance and the continuity of Israel’s possession of the promised land, a fundamental aspect of their national and covenant identity.
• with money (Hebrew: bekesep)
  • Literally: with silver.
  • Significance: The use of money indicates a legal, commercial transaction, emphasizing its validity. It wasn't a gift but a purchase, requiring payment and proper procedures.
• And did bid it (Hebrew: weṣiwwîtî lōw)
  • Literally: "And I commanded him." The LXX has kai eptastasamen auto, "and we confirmed it." The Masoretic Text implies God instructed Jeremiah to proceed and legitimize the purchase, confirming its legal validity.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights God's direct involvement and sovereign command behind Jeremiah's actions. The transaction was not arbitrary but divinely ordained.
• in the city (Hebrew: ba‘īr)
  • Meaning: referring to Jerusalem.
  • Significance: The purchase occurred within the beleaguered city, making the act of buying land in the midst of siege even more startling and hopeful.

Groups of Words Analysis:

• "bought the field...with money": This phrase, particularly with the addition of "with money" (Hebrew: bekesep), emphasizes the legitimacy and contractual nature of the transaction. It’s not just about acquiring land, but doing so through proper financial exchange, underscoring its legal validity in the eyes of the people and before God, despite the dire circumstances.
• "the field...the inheritance": The verse later connects the purchased field directly to "the inheritance" (Hebrew: naḥălâ). This explicitly links the current, seemingly bleak transaction to the enduring promise of God to give the land to Israel as an eternal possession, reinforcing the covenantal aspect.
• "it shall come to pass...that houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land": This phrase from verse 27 onwards explains the ultimate meaning. The immediate purchase is a prophecy of future return and restoration, where normal economic life and property ownership will resume after the period of exile and judgment. It signifies a return to normalcy and divine favor.

Jeremiah 32 25 Bonus Section

The Babylonian conquest was a time of immense trauma for Judah, marked by the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and widespread displacement. Jeremiah’s act of buying the field was a counter-cultural act of faith. It stood in stark contrast to the despair and hopelessness prevalent among the people. The fact that it was his own cousin's field, a familial property, heightened the symbolic impact. This narrative is a cornerstone in understanding the theological concept of "hope in the midst of despair," illustrating that God's covenants and promises endure even through severe disciplinary periods. It connects directly to Jesus’ later teaching on the kingdom of God, where seemingly small acts of faith—like a mustard seed or a woman putting two pennies in the treasury—represent profound spiritual realities and future vindication. The legal meticulousness of the purchase (weighing the money, signing documents) recorded in verses 10-12 reinforces that God is a God of order and justice, even in His judgments and His mercies.

Jeremiah 32 25 Commentary

Jeremiah 32:25 reveals God's deep and abiding commitment to His people and His promises, even when they are under severe judgment. The act of purchasing the field during the siege is a prophetic demonstration of faith in God’s redemptive power over impending destruction. It highlights that God’s plans involve future restoration, legal continuity, and the eventual return to covenant blessings. This seemingly counterintuitive act of buying land when the enemy is at the gates serves as a powerful metaphor for holding onto God's promises even in the darkest times, assuring that He will eventually bring His people back to their land, restoring possession and blessing.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing insurmountable challenges or loss, remembering God’s instruction to Jeremiah can inspire believers to invest in hope, to act on God’s promises through faith-filled actions, trusting that God will bring about restoration and fruitfulness beyond the current circumstances.