Jeremiah 32:11

KJV

So I took the evidence of the purchase, [both] that which was sealed [according] to the law and custom, and that which was open:

KJV (with Strong's)

So I took {H3947} the evidence {H5612} of the purchase {H4736}, both that which was sealed {H2856} according to the law {H4687} and custom {H2706}, and that which was open {H1540}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I took the purchase contract, both the sealed copy with the terms and conditions, and the unsealed copy,

Berean Standard Bible

Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy—

American Standard Version

So I took the deed of the purchase, both that which was sealed, according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:11 meticulously details the legal procedure followed by the prophet Jeremiah in purchasing a field from his cousin Hanamel. This act, undertaken while Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians, involved taking possession of two copies of the deed: one sealed according to legal custom for secure preservation and future verification, and another open for immediate public reference. This seemingly illogical transaction in a time of national collapse served as a profound prophetic sign, demonstrating God's unwavering promise of future restoration and the eventual return of His people to the land of Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 32 opens with the prophet imprisoned in the court of the guard during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. Despite the dire circumstances and his own prophetic message of impending destruction, God commands Jeremiah to buy a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel ([Jeremiah 32:7](/jeremiah/32-7 "Jeremiah 32:7 - God's Command to Jeremiah")). This specific verse, [Jeremiah 32:11](/jeremiah/32-11 "Jeremiah 32:11 - Jeremiah Takes the Deeds"), describes the meticulous legal steps taken to secure the purchase, immediately following the payment for the field and the signing of the deed in [Jeremiah 32:9-10](/jeremiah/32-9 "Jeremiah 32:9-10 - Jeremiah's Purchase and Witnesses"). The entire chapter emphasizes the contrast between human despair and divine certainty, with Jeremiah's act serving as a tangible, legally binding demonstration of God's future plans for restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold around 587-586 BC, a period of immense national crisis for Judah. Jerusalem was under siege, and its fall was imminent, leading to the Babylonian exile. In this context, purchasing land would seem utterly irrational, as property values would be non-existent, and the land itself was about to be conquered. However, ancient Near Eastern legal customs, particularly regarding land transactions, were highly formalized. The practice of creating two copies of a deed—one sealed (often rolled and sealed with a signet ring, containing the precise legal terms) and one open (an accessible copy for immediate reference)—was a common and critical safeguard. This dual documentation ensured the legality and future provability of the transaction, providing an undeniable record that could be consulted if disputes arose or when the time came for the land to be reclaimed.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah's purchase, meticulously detailed in this verse, underscores several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights **Faith in God's Promise**, as Jeremiah acts on God's word despite all human reason, demonstrating that true faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" ([Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Assurance of Faith")). Secondly, it emphasizes **Legal Diligence and Integrity**, showcasing that even in chaos, God's prophet adheres to "the law and custom," reflecting God's own orderliness and the importance of just dealings. This meticulousness underscores the divine commitment behind the prophetic act. Thirdly, the dual deeds serve as a powerful **Assurance of Future Restoration**, a tangible symbol of God's covenant faithfulness. It was a prophetic sign that Judah would indeed be restored, and life would return to normal, fulfilling God's plans for a "hope and a future" ([Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")) after the seventy years of exile ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **evidence (Hebrew, _çêpher'_):** From H5612, meaning "writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book." In this context, it refers to the written deed or scroll that served as proof of the purchase. This "evidence" was a tangible, legally binding document, underscoring the certainty and formality of the transaction.
* **sealed (Hebrew, _châtham'_):** From H2856, meaning "to close up; especially to seal." This refers to the act of sealing a document, typically with a signet ring, to authenticate it and preserve its contents from alteration or premature disclosure. The sealed deed contained the full, precise legal terms and was meant for secure, long-term preservation, to be opened only when necessary for verification or dispute resolution.
* **open (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** From H1540, meaning "to denude... figuratively, to reveal." In this context, it refers to the unsealed copy of the deed, which was "open" or readily accessible for public inspection and immediate reference. This ensured transparency and allowed for easy verification of the transaction's basic details without breaking the seal of the primary, more detailed document.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So I took the evidence of the purchase,"**: This phrase signifies Jeremiah's active role in physically receiving the legal documents that validated his acquisition of the field. "Evidence" here refers to the written deed, the tangible proof of ownership. The act of "taking" emphasizes the completion of the transaction and Jeremiah's legal possession of the documents.
* **"both that which was sealed according to the law and custom,"**: This specifies the first type of deed. The "sealed" document contained the full, legally binding details of the transaction, authenticated by a seal (likely a signet ring impression). It was kept secure, often in a jar, to prevent tampering and ensure its integrity for future reference, adhering to established legal practices and societal norms of the time.
* **"and that which was open:"**: This describes the second type of deed. The "open" copy was unsealed and readily accessible, serving as a public record or a summary of the transaction. Its purpose was immediate verification and transparency, allowing any interested party to confirm the basic details of the purchase without needing to break the seal of the more comprehensive, primary document.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Symbolism** and **Foreshadowing**. The act of Jeremiah purchasing a field, and specifically the dual nature of the deeds (sealed and open), is deeply symbolic. The **sealed deed** represents God's unchangeable, secure, and future promise of restoration for Israel, a promise that is certain and preserved, awaiting its appointed time for full revelation. The **open deed** symbolizes the immediate, visible declaration of this promise, a public testimony to God's faithfulness even in the face of apparent defeat. This entire transaction functions as a **Prophetic Act**, a tangible, performed prophecy that powerfully communicates God's intention to bring His people back to the land and restore their fortunes, despite the present desolation. The meticulous adherence to legal custom underscores the divine commitment and the absolute certainty of the promised future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:11 profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even amidst human despair and national collapse. The meticulous legal process of the land purchase, with its sealed and open deeds, serves as a powerful metaphor for the certainty of God's covenant promises. Just as a legal deed guarantees future ownership, God's word guarantees the future restoration of His people and their land. This act of faith in purchasing property in a besieged city underscores that God's plans transcend immediate circumstances and human logic. It teaches us that divine promises are legally binding and eternally secure, providing a foundation for hope when all human hope seems lost.

* [Deuteronomy 25:9-10](/deuteronomy/25-9 "Deuteronomy 25:9-10 - Custom of Redemption")
* [Leviticus 25:23-28](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23-28 - Laws of Land Redemption")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:11 calls believers to cultivate a radical trust in God's promises, even when our present circumstances seem to contradict them entirely. Just as Jeremiah invested in a future that was humanly impossible, we are challenged to live by faith, making decisions and taking actions that reflect our confidence in God's ultimate victory and restoration, not just our immediate reality. This means investing our time, resources, and energy into God's kingdom, even when the world around us seems chaotic or hopeless. Furthermore, Jeremiah's meticulous adherence to "the law and custom" reminds us of the importance of integrity, diligence, and orderliness in all our dealings, reflecting the character of our God who is faithful and just. This verse offers a profound message of hope: no matter how bleak the present, God's long-term plan for restoration and blessing is sure, and His promises are as legally binding as a sealed deed, awaiting their full and glorious revelation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to trust God's promises, even when current circumstances seem to contradict them?**
* **How does Jeremiah's meticulous adherence to legal custom challenge you to live with greater integrity and diligence in your own affairs?**
* **What "sealed promises" of God are you holding onto, believing for their future fulfillment despite present difficulties?**
* **How can you live in a way that publicly declares (like the "open deed") your faith in God's certain future?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jeremiah buy a field when Jerusalem was about to fall?**

Answer: Jeremiah's purchase of the field was not a logical financial investment but a powerful prophetic act commanded by God. At a time when Jerusalem was under siege and its destruction imminent, buying land symbolized God's unwavering promise that He would one day restore Judah. It was a tangible sign that land would again be bought and sold in the land, signifying a future return from exile and the re-establishment of normal life, demonstrating God's faithfulness even in the face of despair ([Jeremiah 32:15](/jeremiah/32-15 "Jeremiah 32:15 - Houses and Fields Will Be Bought Again")).

**What was the purpose of having both a "sealed" and an "open" deed?**

Answer: This practice was a common legal custom in the ancient Near East, designed to ensure the integrity and accessibility of important documents. The "sealed" deed contained the precise and full legal terms of the transaction, protected by a seal (like a signet ring) to prevent tampering. It was the primary, secure copy meant for long-term preservation and to be opened only if a dispute arose or at a future designated time. The "open" deed was an unsealed, accessible copy, often a summary, for immediate public reference and verification. Together, they provided undeniable proof of the transaction and its details, reinforcing the certainty of God's promise of future restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:11, with its emphasis on the certain promise of future restoration secured by a legally binding, dual-deed transaction, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah's purchase was an act of faith in a future inheritance despite present desolation, Christ's redemptive work is the ultimate "purchase" of humanity and creation, securing for us an eternal inheritance that is far beyond our present sight. The "sealed deed" of God's promises to restore and redeem finds its unbreakable guarantee in the person and work of Christ; He is the "Amen," the faithful and true witness, in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). His death and resurrection are the "open deed," the public, undeniable declaration that God's plan of salvation and new creation is accomplished and revealed. Through Christ, we are not only promised a future return to a restored land but are given a spiritual inheritance, sealed by the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our future glory ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). He is the ultimate Redeemer who has bought us back, ensuring our participation in the new heavens and new earth where all things are made new ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heavens and New Earth")), fulfilling the deepest longing for restoration that Jeremiah's prophetic act foreshadowed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 2:27

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Acts 26:3

Especially [because I know] thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

1 Corinthians 11:16

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.