Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 32

Verse 1

The Twenty-First Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

The word that came, &c. This chapter commences an historical part of the book, describing the incidents of the two years preceding the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. See Jeremiah 32:2 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the tenth . . . eighteenth year. Another contact between Biblical and secular chronology. See App-86 .

Verse 2

besieged = was besieging.

the court of the prison: to which Jeremiah had access. Compare verses: Jeremiah 32:8 , Jeremiah 32:12 , Jeremiah 32:1 .

Verse 3

had shut him up. One of the eleven rulers who were offended with God's messengers. See note on Exodus 10:28 .

Verse 4

his eyes shall behold his eyes: he should go to Babylon (Jeremiah 34:3 ). Yet Ezekiel (Jeremiah 12:13 ) declared that he should not "see" Babylon. Both statements were true; for we read that Zedekiah did "see" the king of Babylon at Riblah, but his eyes being put out there (2 Kings 25:6 , 2 Kings 25:7 ), he never saw Babylon, though he was led there. See Jeremiah 52:10 , Jeremiah 52:11 .

Verse 5

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 7

The Twenty-Second Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah)

Behold : Figure of speech. Asterismos . App-6 .

thine uncle: i.e. Shallum, not Hanameel, who was Jeremiah's cousin. See next verse.

my field. Accusative case to Numbers 35:5 , this would be within 2,000 cubits of Anathoth.

the right, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 25:24 , Leviticus 25:25 , Leviticus 25:32 ). Compare Ruth 4:6 .

Verse 9

shekels. See App-51 .

Verse 10

the evidence = the deed.

Verse 11

according to the law. See notes on Jeremiah 32:7 .

Verse 12

uncle's son. Hebrew text reads "uncle". But some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "uncle's son", as in verses: Jeremiah 32:8 , Jeremiah 32:9 .

subscribed. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "[whose names] were written".

before. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and before".

Verse 14

the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

many days: i.e. the seventy years, of which fifty two years had yet to run (deducting eighteen years from the fourth of Jehoiakim to the tenth of Zedekiah).

Verse 17

Lord GOD = Adonai Jehovah.

Thou hast made, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1:0 ). Compare Jeremiah 27:5 .

nothing too hard for Thee. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 18:14 ). App-92 .

Verse 18

Thou shewest lovingkindness, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:6 ; Exodus 34:7 . Deuteronomy 5:9 , Deuteronomy 5:10 ). App-92 .

lovingkindness = grace. Hebrew. hesed.

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

children = sons.

after them. Compare Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 .

the Mighty. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:17 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 9:6 .

GOD. Hebrew El (with Art.) App-4 . Occurs in Jeremiah only here and Jeremiah 51:56 .

the LORD of Hosts. See note on Jeremiah 6:6 .

Verse 19

Thine eyes. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 20

signs and wonders. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 7:3 .Deuteronomy 4:34 ; Deuteronomy 6:22 ; Deuteronomy 7:19 ; Deuteronomy 13:1 , Deuteronomy 13:2 ; Deuteronomy 26:8 ; Deuteronomy 28:46 ; Deuteronomy 29:3 ; Deuteronomy 34:11 ). App-92 . Elsewhere only in Psalms 78:43 ; Psalms 105:27 ; Psalms 135:9 ; and Nehemiah 9:10 .

other men = mankind. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

made Thee a name. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 9:16 ).

Verse 21

with a strong hand, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 9:6 ). App-92 . See note on Jeremiah 27:5 .

Verse 22

milk and honey. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 3:8 , Exodus 3:17 ). See note on Jeremiah 11:5 , and App-92 .

Verse 23

law. Hebrew text has "laws" in margin, with some codices and three early printed editions.

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 24

mounts. Erections of earth raised by the enemy to overtop the walls. Compare Jeremiah 6:6 , and Jeremiah 33:4 .

Verse 25

for the city is given, &c. An expression of surprise at the command to buy the field under such circumstances.

Verse 26

The Twenty-Third Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

Jeremiah. Septuagint reads "me": for Jeremiah's answer to Zedekiah took in not only verses: Jeremiah 32:16-25 , but verses: Jeremiah 32:27-44 .

Verse 27

the God of all flesh. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 16:22 ). App-92 .

Verse 29

upon whose roofs, &c. Compare Jeremiah 19:13 .

to provoke Me to anger. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:25 ; Deuteronomy 9:18 ; Deu 81:29 ; Deuteronomy 32:21 ). App-92 .

Verse 30

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 32

men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 33

rising up early, &c. See note on Jeremiah 7:13 .

Verse 34

which is called by My name = upon which My name is called.

Verse 35

to pass through the fire . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 18:21 ).

came it into My mind. Compare Jeremiah 7:31 ; Jeremiah 19:5 .

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 36

the LORD, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 .

Verse 37

I will gather them out, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:3 , the same word).

I will cause them to dwell safely. Hiphil of yashab = to settle down. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 23:43 ). App-92 . Compare Ezekiel 36:11 , Ezekiel 36:33 .Hosea 11:11 .Zechariah 10:6 .

Verse 39

fear = revere.

for ever = all the days.

Verse 40

everlasting covenant. See note on Genesis 9:16 . Reference to Pentateuch ( App-92 ).

shall = may.

not depart. This must refer to millennial days: for Israel did depart; and that is why the nation is still "scattered", and not yet "gathered".

Verse 41

I will rejoice, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:9 ).

plant. Compare Jeremiah 1:10 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 43

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 44

Men. Not in Hebrew Should be in italic type.

mountains = hill country.

captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for captives.