Jeremiah 32 28

Jeremiah 32:28 kjv

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:

Jeremiah 32:28 nkjv

Therefore thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it.

Jeremiah 32:28 niv

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.

Jeremiah 32:28 esv

Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it.

Jeremiah 32:28 nlt

Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I will hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

Jeremiah 32 verses

Jeremiah 32 28 Meaning

This verse declares God's judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah due to their disobedience and sin. It states that God will deliver them into the hand of their enemies and they will be struck down by the sword. They will be captured and carried away to Babylon.

Jeremiah 32 28 Context

Jeremiah chapter 32 takes place during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. The city is surrounded, and famine is rampant within its walls. King Zedekiah is deeply troubled and seeks Jeremiah's prophecy, hoping for a positive word from God. However, God's message through Jeremiah is one of severe judgment for Judah's persistent disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of God's word and prophets.

This particular verse, Jeremiah 32:28, is part of God's direct pronouncement of impending doom upon Jerusalem. It clearly states the inevitable consequence of their rebellion: the city will be surrendered to their enemies, who will set it on fire and utterly destroy it. This foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants as the Babylonians eventually breach the walls. The historical context is crucial for understanding the severity and inevitability of the judgment being declared.

Jeremiah 32 28 Word Analysis

• וְאִם (və’im): "And if" - Connects this statement to previous conditional statements or prohibitions. Indicates a direct consequence of actions or inaction.
• לֹא (lō): "not" - Negation. Emphasizes the certainty of what follows.
• תִּשְׁמַע (tišməʿ): "you listen/obey" - From the root שָׁמַע (šāmaʿ), meaning to hear, listen, understand, and obey. In this context, it signifies a failure to heed God's commands. The imperfect tense indicates an ongoing or habitual state of not obeying.
• בִּקְרִי (biqərî): "in rebellion" - This noun comes from the root קָרָא (qārāʾ), which can mean to call or to encounter. However, when used with bə- (in) and as a noun, it signifies rebellious behavior, a departure from what is right. It implies active defiance.
• לִי (lî): "to Me" - Referring to God. Personalizes the rebellion and the recipient of the disobedience.
• וְנָתַתִּי (wənāṯaṯî): "and I will give" - From the root נָתַן (nāṯan), meaning to give. The waw conjunction ("and") connects this action directly to the preceding disobedience. The consecutive imperfect indicates a future consequence.
• אֶת־ (’eṯ-): "accusative marker" - Indicates the direct object of the verb.
• הָעִיר (hāʿîr): "the city" - Refers specifically to Jerusalem, the capital. The definite article "ha-" emphasizes its unique status and importance.
• הַזֹּאת (haz-zōṯ): "this" - Demonstrative pronoun, pointing directly to the city of Jerusalem, making the statement pointed and immediate for the listeners.
• בְּיַד (bəyāḏ): "into the hand of" - A common idiom in Hebrew signifying control, power, or possession. Implies subjection and subjugation.
• צָרֶיהָ (ṣārêhā): "her enemies" - From the plural noun צָר (ṣār), meaning enemy, foe, or adversary. The possessive suffix "-ha" (her) refers back to "haʿîr" (the city). This points to those who oppose Jerusalem, historically the Babylonians.
• וְשָׂרַפְתִּי (wəśāraphi): "and I will burn" - From the root שָׂרַף (śāraph), meaning to burn. The conjunction "wə-" links this act of burning directly to giving the city into the hands of its enemies. This signifies total destruction.
• אֹתָהּ (’ōṯāh): "it" - Pronoun referring back to "haʿîr" (the city).
• בָּאֵשׁ (bā’ēš): "with fire" - The preposition "bə-" (with, in) followed by אֵשׁ (’ēš), meaning fire. Indicates the means or instrument of destruction.

Words-Group Analysis

• "not you listen in rebellion to Me": This phrase encapsulates the core reason for the impending judgment – a persistent, active defiance against God's voice and commands. It's not just passive disobedience, but a "rebellion."
• "and I will give the city this into the hand of her enemies": This links God's action directly to the consequence of their rebellion. God sovereignly allows or ordains the enemy's control over Jerusalem. "Into the hand of" emphasizes the complete loss of autonomy.
• "and I will burn it with fire": This is a vivid image of total annihilation. It signifies destruction that leaves nothing viable. Combined with the enemies' possession, it suggests the enemy will be the instrument of this burning, or God will use the enemy's actions to accomplish it.

Jeremiah 32 28 Bonus Section

The concept of God giving a people or city into the hands of their enemies is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often as a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness (e.g., Deuteronomy 28). It highlights God's sovereignty even in the actions of wicked nations, whom He can use as instruments of His justice. The inclusion of "burning with fire" signifies a thorough and devastating judgment, indicating the end of Jerusalem's current form and state. The "Chaldeans" (Babylonians) were the specific instruments of this judgment in Jeremiah's time. This verse stands in stark contrast to later promises of restoration, showing the natural progression from judgment to mercy in God's dealings with His people when they repent.

Jeremiah 32 28 Commentary

God's promise in this verse is severe and absolute. It directly links their lack of obedience ("not you listen in rebellion to Me") to the inescapable outcome of Jerusalem being handed over to its enemies. The enemies will then possess and burn the city. This is not a mere threat, but a declaration of impending divine judgment. Jeremiah prophesied this during the final siege, and historical accounts confirm the utter destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, including significant burning of the city, most notably the Temple. The consequence is total destruction due to persistent, willful rebellion against God's covenants and His messengers.