Jeremiah 32:31

KJV

For this city hath been to me [as] a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

KJV (with Strong's)

For this city {H5892} hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger {H639} and of my fury {H2534} from the day {H3117} that they built {H1129} it even unto this day {H3117}; that I should remove {H5493} it from before my face {H6440},

Complete Jewish Bible

'This city has so provoked my anger and fury from the day they built it to this day that I ought to remove it from my presence,

Berean Standard Bible

For this city has aroused My wrath and fury from the day it was built until now. Therefore I will remove it from My presence

American Standard Version

For this city hath been to me a provocation of mine anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:31 powerfully articulates God's profound and sustained righteous indignation towards Jerusalem, the very city He had chosen for His dwelling and where His temple stood. This verse declares that from its very foundation, the city had been a constant source of provocation, anger, and fury to the Lord, leading inevitably to the severe judgment of its removal from His sight. It underscores the culmination of centuries of Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and covenant unfaithfulness, providing the divine justification for the impending Babylonian conquest and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent declaration from God is embedded within a deeply paradoxical moment in Jeremiah's ministry. The prophet is imprisoned in the court of the guard, as Jerusalem is under an oppressive siege by the Babylonian army led by King Nebuchadnezzar, a situation detailed in [Jeremiah 32:2](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah's Imprisonment During the Siege of Jerusalem"). The city's fall seems imminent, yet in the midst of this despair, God commands Jeremiah to perform a highly symbolic act: to buy a field from his cousin Hanamel in Anathoth, as recorded in [Jeremiah 32:6-8](/jeremiah/32-6-8 "God Commands Jeremiah to Buy a Field as a Sign of Hope"). This purchase, meticulously detailed in [Jeremiah 32:9-15](/jeremiah/32-9-15 "The Symbolic Purchase of the Field"), serves as a powerful sign of future restoration and the eventual return of prosperity to the land, even after the devastating judgment. Verse 31, therefore, functions as a crucial theological explanation within this narrative, clarifying *why* such a severe judgment is necessary before the promised restoration can occur. It grounds the present suffering in the long history of the city's unfaithfulness, providing divine justification for the impending destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem, established by King David as the capital of Israel, a pivotal moment described in [2_samuel/5-6-9](/2_samuel/5-6-9 "David Captures Jerusalem and Makes it Capital"), and later made the spiritual center by King Solomon with the construction of the Temple, as recounted in [1_kings/6](/1_kings/6 "Solomon Builds the Temple"), was meant to be a beacon of God's truth and a holy city. However, its history was tragically marked by a recurring cycle of apostasy, idolatry, and social injustice. Despite periods of reform under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the populace and many of its leaders consistently turned away from the covenant with Yahweh. Practices such as child sacrifice to Molech, an abomination condemned in [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "The Abomination of Child Sacrifice in Topheth"), the worship of foreign gods on high places, and widespread social inequities, as lamented in [Jeremiah 5:26-28](/jeremiah/5-26-28 "Jeremiah's Condemnation of Social Injustice"), became rampant. This verse from [Jeremiah 32:31](/jeremiah/32-31 "God's Provocation by Jerusalem") serves as God's divine justification for allowing the Babylonian conquest and the subsequent exile, explaining that the impending destruction was not an arbitrary act but a direct, necessary consequence of centuries of rebellion against His covenant. It highlights the profound cultural and religious decline that had permeated the city from its earliest days, despite its sacred calling.

* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 32:31](/jeremiah/32-31 "Jeremiah 32:31 - Jerusalem's Provocation of God") powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Justice**, unequivocally stating that God's anger and fury are righteous responses to sustained, unrepentant sin. This highlights God's holy character, which cannot tolerate unceasing rebellion, even from His chosen people and city. Secondly, the phrase "from the day that they built it even unto this day" emphasizes **Persistent Rebellion** and **Covenant Unfaithfulness**. Jerusalem, meant to be a beacon of God's truth, had instead been a source of constant "provocation," pointing to a deeply ingrained pattern of disobedience, idolatry, and breaking the covenant that spanned generations. This long-suffering patience of God, though immense, as seen in [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "God's Slowness to Anger and Great Power"), eventually reaches a point where His justice must be exercised. Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Sin**. The declaration "that I should remove it from before my face" signifies a complete withdrawal of God's favor, protection, and presence, leading directly to the city's destruction and the people's exile. This act of removal is the ultimate consequence of their persistent rejection of God, demonstrating that privileges come with responsibilities, and unfaithfulness leads to severe divine discipline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **City (Hebrew, _ʻîyr'_):** H5892. This term refers to Jerusalem, not merely as a collection of buildings, but as a guarded place, a center of life and governance. The use of 'city' here emphasizes its identity as the chosen capital, the place where God's presence was meant to dwell, making its provocation all the more grievous. It highlights the profound betrayal inherent in its actions, as the very heart of God's chosen nation had turned against Him.
* **Anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** H639. Literally meaning "nose" or "nostril," this word is often used to describe the rapid breathing associated with intense emotion, particularly ire or wrath. When applied to God, it signifies His righteous indignation and displeasure, a deep, passionate response to sin that is not capricious but arises from His holy character. It conveys the intensity of God's emotional response to Jerusalem's persistent rebellion, a just and holy displeasure.
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** H2534. This term denotes "heat" or "burning anger," often translated as "wrath." It is a stronger, more intense word than _ʼaph_, implying a vehement, consuming passion. Coupled with _ʼaph_, it emphasizes the profound depth and righteous intensity of God's wrath against the city's unceasing wickedness, indicating that a boiling point has been reached and divine judgment is a necessary outcome of His perfect justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this city hath been to me [as] a provocation of mine anger and of my fury":** This opening clause immediately establishes the reason for God's impending judgment. Jerusalem, referred to as "this city" (H5892, _ʻîyr_), is directly implicated as the source of God's intense displeasure. The phrase "provocation" (from a root meaning to vex or grieve) indicates that the city's actions were not merely annoying but deeply offensive and sorrowful to God, stirring His righteous indignation. The coupling of "anger" (H639, _ʼaph_) and "fury" (H2534, _chêmâh_) underscores the severity and depth of God's emotional response, highlighting that His immense patience has been exhausted by their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion against His covenant.
* **"from the day that they built it even unto this day":** This temporal clause emphasizes the long duration and consistent nature of Jerusalem's rebellion. It suggests that the city's unfaithfulness was not a recent phenomenon but a deeply ingrained pattern that began virtually from its inception (H1129, _bânâh_, "built") and continued without abatement "unto this day" (H3117, _yôwm_). This sweeping indictment points to a generational cycle of idolatry, injustice, and covenant-breaking, justifying the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment. It highlights the cumulative weight of their transgressions over centuries.
* **"that I should remove it from before my face":** This final clause states the inevitable consequence of Jerusalem's prolonged provocation. The verb "remove" (H5493, _çûwr_) signifies a turning away or taking off, implying a complete withdrawal of God's favor, protection, and presence. The idiom "from before my face" (H6440, _pânîym_) powerfully conveys divine rejection and abandonment. It is not merely a physical removal of the city from its location, but a spiritual and relational severance, indicating that Jerusalem had forfeited its privileged position in God's sight due to its unfaithfulness, leading to its destruction and the exile of its inhabitants. This is the ultimate consequence of their persistent rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey God's message with profound impact. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the attribution of human emotions ("anger" and "fury") and physical characteristics ("my face") to God. This literary technique allows the audience to grasp the depth and intensity of His divine displeasure in relatable terms, emphasizing that His righteous indignation is a real and profound response to sin. The phrase "from the day that they built it even unto this day" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the long and unbroken history of Jerusalem's rebellion. While not literally every single day was marked by the same degree of sin, the exaggeration underscores the pervasive and continuous pattern of unfaithfulness that characterized the city's existence, highlighting the cumulative nature of their offenses. Furthermore, the expression "remove it from before my face" functions as a powerful **Idiom**, signifying not just physical destruction but a complete withdrawal of divine favor, presence, and protection. It conveys a sense of ultimate rejection and abandonment, highlighting the profound relational breach caused by Jerusalem's persistent unfaithfulness and God's righteous judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:31 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and unwavering justice. It reveals that while God is infinitely patient and slow to anger, His character demands a response to persistent and unrepentant sin, even from those He has chosen as His own. The verse underscores the profound truth that divine election does not preclude divine discipline; in fact, it often necessitates it, as God holds His chosen people to a higher standard of accountability. The "provocation" of Jerusalem, spanning centuries, illustrates the cumulative effect of sin and the eventual exhaustion of divine forbearance, leading to the necessary act of judgment for the sake of God's own glory and the ultimate purification of His people. This judgment, though severe, is always just and rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant, even when His people are unfaithful, demonstrating that His character is consistently righteous.

* [Deuteronomy 31:29](/deuteronomy/31-29 "Moses' Prophecy of Israel's Corruption")
* [Isaiah 5:4](/isaiah/5-4 "The Parable of the Vineyard")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:31 offers profound and sobering lessons for individuals and communities today. It compels us to confront the reality of God's holiness and His intolerance for persistent sin, reminding us that His patience, though vast, is not infinite. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and our communities, asking if we are living in a way that honors God or if our actions, attitudes, or omissions are a "provocation" to Him. It underscores the danger of spiritual complacency and the deceptive nature of prolonged disobedience, which can lead to a hardening of hearts and an eventual withdrawal of God's manifest favor or presence. The impending judgment on Jerusalem was a stark call for repentance, and this verse implicitly urges us to heed that call in our own contexts, turning from anything that grieves God and seeking His forgiveness and grace. It is a powerful reminder that true blessing and security come from aligning our lives with God's will, rather than presuming upon His grace while living in defiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own life, or the life of my community, be a "provocation" to God, perhaps through unconfessed sin, spiritual apathy, or injustice?**
* **How does understanding God's "anger and fury" in this verse deepen my appreciation for His holiness and justice, and how does it impact my view of sin?**
* **Considering the long history of Jerusalem's rebellion, what lessons can I draw about the cumulative effects of unrepentant sin in my own life or in the broader church?**

### FAQ

**What does "provocation of mine anger and of my fury" mean in the context of God's character?**

Answer: This phrase does not imply an uncontrolled outburst of emotion on God's part, but rather a righteous and just response to sustained rebellion and covenant unfaithfulness. God's "anger" (Hebrew, _ʼaph_) and "fury" (Hebrew, _chêmâh_) are expressions of His holy character, which cannot tolerate evil. They signify His deep displeasure and indignation at the persistent idolatry, injustice, and disobedience of His chosen people, Jerusalem. It indicates that their actions have grieved Him profoundly and necessitated a just consequence, demonstrating that God is not indifferent to sin but actively opposes it. This is consistent with His character as revealed throughout Scripture, such as in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "God's Compassion and Justice").

**How could a city "provoke" God, and what was the nature of this provocation?**

Answer: A city, in this context, represents its inhabitants and their collective actions, particularly their spiritual and moral choices. Jerusalem, as the capital and religious center, was meant to embody faithfulness to God's covenant. However, its people, from its earliest days, consistently engaged in idolatry, worshipping foreign gods and defiling the very Temple of the Lord, as described in [Jeremiah 7:30](/jeremiah/7-30 "Abominations in the Temple"). They practiced child sacrifice, oppressed the poor, and engaged in widespread social injustice, ignoring the prophets' calls to repentance. This systemic and generational unfaithfulness, despite God's repeated warnings and acts of grace, constituted the "provocation" that stirred God's righteous anger and fury. It was a rejection of His authority, His love, and His covenant, demonstrating a persistent turning away from His righteous commands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:31, with its pronouncement of divine judgment due to Jerusalem's persistent provocation, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the condemnation of a city, but in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Jerusalem's rebellion led to its removal from God's face, Christ, the true Israel and the perfect Son, perfectly fulfilled God's will and never provoked His Father's anger. Instead, He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against the sin of all humanity, becoming the ultimate "propitiation" for our offenses, as declared in [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Christ as Propitiation"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus endured the very "fury" and "anger" that our sin deserved, so that those who believe in Him would not be "removed from before God's face" but would instead be brought near and reconciled, as beautifully stated in [Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Brought Near by the Blood of Christ"). The judgment pronounced upon Jerusalem foreshadows the judgment that would justly fall upon all humanity, a judgment from which believers are now spared through Christ's substitutionary death. Furthermore, while the physical city of Jerusalem was destroyed, Christ established a new, spiritual Jerusalem—the Church—where God's presence truly dwells and where His people are called to live in faithfulness, no longer provoking His wrath but living in His grace and favor, as seen in [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "The Heavenly Jerusalem and the New Covenant"). In Christ, the cycle of provocation and judgment is broken, replaced by an eternal covenant of grace and a perpetual dwelling in God's presence.

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

2 Kings 23:27

And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

Jeremiah 6:6

For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.

Jeremiah 6:7

As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually [is] grief and wounds.

Jeremiah 27:10

For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.

2 Kings 21:16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1 Kings 11:8

And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.