Jeremiah 32:43

KJV

And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It [is] desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

KJV (with Strong's)

And fields {H7704} shall be bought {H7069} in this land {H776}, whereof ye say {H559}, It is desolate {H8077} without man {H120} or beast {H929}; it is given {H5414} into the hand {H3027} of the Chaldeans {H3778}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Fields will be bought in this land, even though you say about it that it is desolate, devoid of human beings or animals, and given over to the Kasdim.

Berean Standard Bible

And fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.’

American Standard Version

And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:43 stands as a profound prophetic declaration of hope and restoration, delivered by God through Jeremiah during the darkest hour of Judah's history. Despite the land being under siege by the Chaldeans and perceived as utterly desolate and uninhabitable, this verse assures the people that a future awaits where fields will once again be bought and cultivated, signifying a complete reversal of their fortunes and the faithful fulfillment of God's covenant promises. It is a powerful testament to divine sovereignty and the certainty of God's redemptive plan, even in the face of overwhelming despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 32:43 concludes a pivotal narrative section (Jeremiah 32:1-44) that underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, even amidst severe judgment. The immediate preceding verses recount Jeremiah's symbolic act of purchasing a field from his cousin Hanamel in Anathoth, an act commanded by God while Jerusalem was under siege and Jeremiah was imprisoned. This seemingly irrational transaction (Jeremiah 32:6-15), which included meticulous legal procedures for recording the deed, served as a tangible sign and a prophetic object lesson. It was a concrete demonstration that despite the impending destruction and exile, the land would indeed be repossessed and cultivated by the descendants of Israel. Verse 43 directly echoes and expands upon this symbolic act, transforming it from a personal transaction into a sweeping national promise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 32 is the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian (Chaldean) army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, around 588-586 BCE. This was a period of immense national crisis, famine, and despair, culminating in the destruction of the Temple and the city, and the subsequent exile of the people to Babylon. Jeremiah himself was imprisoned because his prophecies of surrender and destruction were deemed treasonous (Jeremiah 32:2-5). In this context, the land was indeed becoming "desolate," its inhabitants facing death, starvation, or forced removal. Culturally, land ownership was deeply tied to identity, inheritance, and covenant blessings. To promise the future purchase of fields in a land currently overrun by invaders was to directly challenge the prevailing reality and offer a radical vision of hope that defied all human logic and current circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Restoration**, demonstrating that God's plans transcend human failure and even severe judgment. Despite the devastation wrought by the [Chaldeans](/jeremiah/32-43 "Jeremiah 32:43 - The Chaldeans"), God retains ultimate control and will bring about a future of renewal. It also highlights **Hope Amidst Despair**, offering a stark contrast to the prevailing sentiment that the land was "desolate without man or beast." This promise served as a vital beacon for a people facing utter ruin, echoing God's broader promise of a future and a hope found in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the theme of **Faith in God's Word**, calling the people to trust in God's promises even when all empirical evidence pointed to the contrary. Jeremiah's act of purchasing the field, as commanded by God, was a profound act of faith, embodying the very trust this prophecy sought to instill. Finally, it speaks to a **Reversal of Fortunes**, where the land, currently "given into the hand of the Chaldeans," would miraculously be restored to its rightful owners and once again be a place of vibrant life and commerce.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bought (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** From H7069, meaning "to procure, especially by purchase; by implication to own." This word emphasizes the legal and tangible act of acquisition, signifying a future reality of ownership and settlement despite current desolation. It implies not just temporary use, but permanent possession and investment, foundational to the re-establishment of a thriving society.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _shᵉmâmâh'_):** From H8077, meaning "devastation; figuratively, astonishment; (laid, most) desolate(-ion), waste." This term powerfully conveys the utter ruin and emptiness that characterized the land in the people's perception. It highlights the severity of the judgment and the stark contrast with God's promised future, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the restoration.
* **Chaldeans (Hebrew, _Kasdîy'_):** From H3778, referring to "a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer." This identifies the specific foreign power responsible for the current destruction and exile, underscoring the immediate threat and the instrument of God's judgment against which His promise of restoration stands firm. Their presence signifies the depth of the current crisis.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And fields shall be bought in this land,"**: This opening clause presents a direct counter-narrative to the prevailing despair. It is a concrete promise of future economic activity, stability, and habitation. The purchasing of fields implies a return to normal life, agricultural prosperity, and secure land tenure, all hallmarks of a restored nation.
* **"whereof ye say, It [is] desolate without man or beast;"**: This phrase directly addresses and refutes the current human perception and despair. The people, witnessing the devastation and anticipating further destruction, believed the land would be utterly uninhabitable, devoid of both human and animal life. This highlights the chasm between human understanding and divine foresight.
* **"it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans."**: This final clause acknowledges the harsh reality of the present judgment. The land is indeed under the control of the Babylonian invaders, and its desolation is a direct consequence of this divine judgment. Yet, the verse places this reality in tension with the future promise, demonstrating that God's ultimate plan transcends even the most severe present circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:43 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the divine promise of future land purchases directly contradicts the human perception of utter desolation. The very land declared "without man or beast" by the people will be filled with life and commerce. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the present reality of destruction and the future reality of restoration, amplifying the miraculous nature of God's intervention. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events that assures God's people of His faithfulness and ultimate redemptive plan, even when all hope seems lost. The explicit mention of the "Chaldeans" also serves as a **Foil**, highlighting the temporary nature of their destructive power against the eternal nature of God's promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:43 is a powerful theological statement on God's enduring faithfulness and His sovereign ability to bring life out of death, and hope out of despair. It affirms that even when God's people experience the consequences of their sin through severe judgment, His covenant promises remain unbreakable. The future restoration of the land, symbolized by the buying of fields, points to a comprehensive renewal that includes not only physical habitation but also spiritual reconciliation and the re-establishment of a right relationship with God. This divine commitment to restoration is a foundational truth that undergirds much of biblical prophecy, assuring believers that God's ultimate purposes for His people will prevail, regardless of present trials.

* [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18 "Isaiah 43:18-19 - God Does a New Thing")
* [Ezekiel 36:33-35](/ezekiel/36-33 "Ezekiel 36:33-35 - The Land Made Like Eden")
* [Romans 8:24-25](/romans/8-24 "Romans 8:24-25 - Hope in What We Do Not See")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:43 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seasons of desolation, whether personal, communal, or societal. It serves as a powerful reminder that our present circumstances, no matter how dire, do not dictate God's ultimate plan or His capacity for restoration. When our "land" feels desolate—our relationships broken, our careers stalled, our health failing, or our spiritual lives barren—this verse calls us to look beyond the immediate evidence of our senses and cling to the unchanging promises of God. It encourages us to cultivate a radical hope that trusts in God's ability to bring life and fruitfulness back to what appears ruined. Like Jeremiah, we are sometimes called to act in faith, making choices that align with God's promised future even when they seem illogical from a worldly perspective, demonstrating our conviction that God's word will ultimately prevail. This verse fosters resilience, reminding us that God's faithfulness is greater than any present crisis, and His redemptive purposes will always triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "desolate" areas in your life or in the world around you are you struggling to see God's promise of restoration in?**
* **How does Jeremiah's act of buying the field, and this subsequent prophecy, challenge your understanding of faith and hope in difficult times?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to "buy a field"—to take a step of faith that seems illogical—as a testament to your belief in His future promises?**

### FAQ
**Why would God allow His people's land to become so desolate if He promised to restore it?**

Answer: God's allowing the land to become desolate was a direct consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience and idolatry, serving as a disciplinary judgment to call His people back to Himself. This act of judgment, though severe, was not an abandonment of His covenant but rather a means to purify and refine His people. The desolation highlighted the gravity of their sin and the necessity of repentance. However, even within this judgment, God's ultimate purpose was redemptive. The promise of future restoration, as seen in [Jeremiah 32:43](/jeremiah/32-43 "Jeremiah 32:43 - Fields Shall Be Bought"), demonstrates His unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant, ensuring that the judgment was temporary and designed to lead to a glorious future. It illustrates God's dual nature as both a righteous judge and a merciful redeemer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:43 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus, who brings about a spiritual restoration far grander than any physical return to a land. Just as the land of Judah was "desolate without man or beast" and "given into the hand of the Chaldeans" due to sin, humanity itself was desolate and given over to the power of sin and death. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), entered into this desolate spiritual landscape, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of "buying the field," not with silver and deeds, but with His own blood, purchasing for us an eternal inheritance (cf. [Ephesians 1:14](/ephesians/1-14 "Ephesians 1:14 - The Guarantee of Our Inheritance")). Through His resurrection, He demonstrated His power to bring life out of utter desolation, transforming spiritual wasteland into a vibrant kingdom. Believers, once alienated and without hope, are now reconciled to God and made part of a new creation (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The promise of fields being bought in a desolate land foreshadows the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and God's presence fully restores all things, ultimately culminating in the eternal dwelling of God with His people (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

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

Ezekiel 37:11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Ezekiel 37:14

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:15

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.

Jeremiah 32:36

And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

Jeremiah 33:10

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast, [even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,