Jeremiah 32:12

And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's [son], and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

And I gave {H5414} the evidence {H5612} of the purchase {H4736} unto Baruch {H1263} the son {H1121} of Neriah {H5374}, the son {H1121} of Maaseiah {H4271}, in the sight {H5869} of Hanameel {H2601} mine uncle's {H1730} son, and in the presence {H5869} of the witnesses {H5707} that subscribed {H3789} the book {H5612} of the purchase {H4736}, before {H5869} all the Jews {H3064} that sat {H3427} in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}.

and gave the purchase contract to Barukh the son of Neriyah, the son of Machseyah, in the presence of my cousin Hanam'el, the witnesses who had signed the purchase contract and the people from Y'hudah sitting by the guards' quarters.

and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

and I delivered the deed of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the deed of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the guard.

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:12 records a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah’s life, detailing the formal handover of a land deed to his trusted scribe, Baruch, amidst the dire circumstances of Jerusalem’s siege by the Babylonians.

Historical and Cultural Context

At the time of this verse, Jerusalem was under siege by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army, and Jeremiah himself was imprisoned in the "court of the prison" (Jeremiah 32:2). Despite the impending destruction of the city and the exile of its people, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanameel (Jeremiah 32:7). This act, seemingly illogical given the circumstances, was a powerful symbolic demonstration of God’s promise of future restoration. The transaction was conducted with meticulous legal precision, involving two copies of the deed—one sealed for preservation and one open for public inspection (Jeremiah 32:11). The public nature of the transfer, "in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's [son], and in the presence of the witnesses... before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison," underscored the certainty and validity of this prophetic act.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Faith Amidst Despair: Jeremiah’s obedience to purchase the field, even from prison and during a siege, exemplifies profound faith in God's word despite seemingly hopeless circumstances. It highlights the prophet's trust in God's long-term plan for Israel.
  • Symbol of Future Restoration: The act of buying land signifies God's unwavering promise that the people would return to the land and that normal life, including buying and selling property, would resume (Jeremiah 32:15). It was a beacon of hope in the midst of judgment.
  • Divine Certainty and Legal Diligence: The detailed and public nature of the transaction—witnesses, sealed and unsealed deeds, and formal handover to Baruch—emphasizes the absolute certainty and reliability of God’s promises. Just as a legal deed is binding, so are God’s covenants.
  • Baruch's Role: Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe and assistant (Jeremiah 36:4), plays a crucial role in preserving this prophetic act and the larger prophetic message. His trustworthiness is vital for the record.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "evidence of the purchase" refers to the legal document or deed. In Hebrew, the word sepher is used, which means "book" or "scroll," indicating a formal written record. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the legal validity and future certainty of the transaction, mirroring God's own precise and reliable nature concerning His promises.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 32:12 offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Promises: Even when our present circumstances are bleak or seem to contradict God's word, we are called to trust in His long-term plan and promises, much like Jeremiah acted on faith during the siege.
  • Hope in Difficult Times: This verse serves as a reminder that God can bring hope and restoration even out of situations of judgment and despair. It encourages us to look beyond immediate difficulties to God's ultimate faithfulness, knowing that His plans for us are for peace and not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11).
  • Acting on Faith: Sometimes, God calls us to take actions that seem illogical or counter-intuitive from a worldly perspective. Obedience in such moments can be a powerful testimony to God's sovereignty and our reliance on Him.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 51:59

    ¶ The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And [this] Seraiah [was] a quiet prince.

  • Jeremiah 32:16

    ¶ Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,

  • Jeremiah 36:26

    But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

  • Jeremiah 36:4

    Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

  • Jeremiah 36:5

    And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I [am] shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:21

    Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

  • Jeremiah 43:3

    But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
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