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32:1–15 In another symbolic action, Jeremiah purchases a field (compare Jer 13:1–11). Despite the present siege of Jerusalem and the imminent exile of much of the population, he depicts his faith in Yahweh’s plans for Israel’s future.

Symbolic Actions of the Prophets Table

32:1 in the tenth year of Zedekiah 587 bc. The city had been under siege for at least several months (2 Kgs 25:1). On the difficulty in reconciling Israelite and Babylonian dates, see note on Ezek 24:1.

32:2 the courtyard of the guard Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah for prophesying that the city would fall to Babylon (Jer 32:3–5; 37:11–21).

32:3 Zedekiah Judah’s last Davidic ruler. See note on 21:1.

32:4 the Chaldeans The Hebrew text uses “Babylonians” and “Chaldeans” interchangeably. See note on Isa 43:14.

32:7 Hanamel Jeremiah’s cousin is mentioned only in this passage.

Anathoth Jeremiah’s hometown (see note on Jer 1:1).

the right of redemption to buy The transaction is conducted according to the laws for property redemption. See Lev 25:25.

32:8 the land of Benjamin The territory just north of Jerusalem (see note on Jer 1:1).

32:9 seventeen silver shekels A measurement by weight, not a coin. A shekel was 0.4 ounces or 11.6 grams. This amount of silver was about 7 ounces.

Property values were likely depressed due to the siege, and Jeremiah was probably paying fair market value for the redemption transaction. Because the size of the parcel of land is not mentioned, the price paid relative to the value of the property is difficult to assess. The fact that Jeremiah had access to such a sum, even in prison, suggests a certain level of affluence for the prophet. Silver hoards have been uncovered throughout the ancient Near East. A hoard of more than 250 grams was found in excavations at biblical Ekron, dating to Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of the city in 604 bc.

Weights and Measures HIBD

32:10 on a set of scales Stone weights were balanced against the silver on a scale to determine the correct price.

Biblical law and prophetic indictments of unjust behavior both draw attention to the practice of fraud—using weights that were either too light or too heavy (Deut 25:13–16; Lev 19:35–36; Ezek 45:10; Amos 8:5; Mic 6:11). A dishonest merchant would use lighter weights for selling and heavier ones for buying.

Weights And Measures AEHL

32:11 the deed of the purchase, the sealed copy containing The original document was sealed and stored to provide a permanent record of the terms and conditions at the time of sale.

In a land transaction, the deed was written, signed by the principles and the witnesses, sealed with wax, and stored in a clay jar. A second copy was written and signed but left unsealed for reference. All the steps of this process are detailed in this transaction (Jer 32:9–15). The practice of using duplicate copies is known from documents found at the Jewish colony at Elephantine in Upper Egypt (see note on Isa 49:12).

Deed ISBE

Land and Property NUBD

32:12 Baruch Jeremiah’s scribe and close companion.

Baruch AYBD

Baruch, Book of TBD

Baruch, Apocalypse of (Syriac) ZEB A—C

Baruch

Jeremiah’s scribe, who recorded oracles at his dictation. Baruch also appears as Jeremiah’s close associate and companion (Jer 43:1–7; 45:1–5). Jeremiah seems to have needed a scribe initially only because he was no longer allowed into the temple court and required someone who could read his prophecies there (36:5).

A seventh-century bc seal impression has been found with the name “Berechiah son of Neriah, the scribe,” which likely refers to the biblical Baruch. (“Berechiah” is the full form of the name “Baruch.”) The use of a double patronym (listing the name of his father and grandfather) in v. 12 probably indicates Baruch was part of a prominent scribal family serving the royal house of Judah. His brother, Seraiah, was an official of King Zedekiah and accompanied the king on a trip to Babylon in 593 bc (see 51:59 and note on 51:59–64). Based on 45:1, Baruch often is considered to have been the scribe responsible for producing large portions of the text of Jeremiah. The relative scarcity of details about Baruch is more than made up for by his larger-than-life presence in later Jewish tradition, where he appears as the writer of an apocryphal letter and several apocalypses.

32:14 you must put them in an earthenware jar See note on v. 11.

32:15 will again be bought in this land The purpose of the symbolic actions is stated explicitly here and in vv. 43–44. Jeremiah’s purchase is designed to emphasize his faith in Yahweh’s promised restoration.

32:16–25 Following his purchase, Jeremiah offers a prayer affirming his faith in Yahweh but expressing his doubts over the purchase due to the city’s imminent fall to the Babylonians. The prayer follows the pattern of other biblical prayers from after the exile (compare Dan 9:4–19; Ezra 9:6–15; Neh 9:6–37). It opens with praise (Jer 32:17–19), which is followed by a historical summary highlighting Yahweh’s power to save and Israel’s choice to rebel, culminating in their present circumstance under Babylonian siege (vv. 20–24). Jeremiah doesn’t mention the reason for his prayer—questioning the land purchase—until the very end (v. 25).

Prayer DBI

Prayer HIBD

32:17 made the heavens and the earth There are echoes of Hezekiah’s prayer from Isa 37:16–20, especially with the use of creation imagery to emphasize Yahweh’s sovereignty.

32:18 showing loyal love to the thousands Formulaic language from Deut 5:9–10.

Yahweh of hosts This title identifies God as leader of the heavenly armies. See note on Jer 6:6.

32:20 signs and wonders Compare Deut 6:22.

32:22 a land flowing with milk and honey A common idiom to describe the abundance of the promised land (see Deut 26:15; Exod 3:8; 13:5; Num 13:27).

32:24 the siege ramps See Jer 6:6 and note; see note on Ezek 4:2.

sword, the famine, and the plague These disasters probably reflect the curses for violating the covenant. See note on Jer 14:12.

32:26–35 Yahweh responds to Jeremiah, assuring him of the eventual restoration of Judah and reiterating His plan to judge Judah and Jerusalem using the Babylonians. Yahweh’s response also repeats the charges of idolatry from earlier in the book (e.g., 3:6–11; 7:30–32; 19:13).

32:28 Nebuchadnezzar See note on 21:2.

32:29 where they have made smoke offerings on their roofs See note on 19:13.

Baal The main Canaanite god.

32:34 their abominations Refers to idols in the Jerusalem temple (see note on Ezek 5:9; compare Ezek 8:5–18; 2 Kgs 23:4).

32:35 the Valley of Ben Hinnom A site where child sacrifices took place. See note on Jer 7:31.

their sons and their daughters to Molech Forbidden in Lev 18:21 (see note on Jer 7:31; compare 2 Kgs 23:10). Molech (also rendered “Molek”) was commonly understood to be a Canaanite deity whose worship required child sacrifice (see note on Lev 18:21).

Molech DDD

Pagan Deities in the Old Testament Table

32:36–44 Yahweh’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer concludes with an emphasis on the renewed covenant, future restoration of the land, and the future prosperity of the people.

32:38 And they will be for me a people The covenant formula. See note on Jer 30:22.

32:39 one heart and one way Compare Ezek 11:19–20.

32:40 an everlasting covenant A renewed covenant to replace the covenant that Israel had broken. Compare Isa 55:3 and note.

32:43 fields will be bought in this land See Jer 32:15 and note.

32:44 The geographic references here cover the primary regions inhabited by the Israelites, including: Jeremiah’s home territory where he bought the field (Benjamin); Jerusalem and its vicinity; the northern hill country (Ephraim); the foothills west of Jerusalem (Shephelah); and the southern desert (Negev).

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