Jeremiah 32:8

So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance [is] thine, and the redemption [is] thine; buy [it] for thyself. Then I knew that this [was] the word of the LORD.

So Hanameel {H2601} mine uncle's {H1730} son {H1121} came {H935} to me in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307} according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559} unto me, Buy {H7069} my field {H7704}, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth {H6068}, which is in the country {H776} of Benjamin {H1144}: for the right {H4941} of inheritance {H3425} is thine, and the redemption {H1353} is thine; buy {H7069} it for thyself. Then I knew {H3045} that this was the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

AS ADONAI had said, my cousin Hanam'el came to me in the guards' quarters and said, "Please buy my field at 'Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin; because you will inherit it, and you have next-of-kin's right to redeem it, so buy it for yourself." Then I was certain that this was ADONAI's word.

Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and urged me, ‘Please buy my field in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for you own the right of inheritance and redemption. Buy it for yourself.’” Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

So Hanamel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of Jehovah, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of Jehovah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:8 (KJV) records a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's life, serving as a powerful sign of God's unwavering promises amidst national crisis. This verse describes the arrival of Jeremiah's cousin, Hanameel, exactly as the Lord had foretold, offering to sell a field in Anathoth.

Context

At the time of this event, Jerusalem was under a devastating siege by the Babylonian army led by King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah himself was imprisoned in the court of the prison, accused of treason for prophesying the city's destruction and urging surrender to Babylon. Just prior to this verse, the Lord had specifically instructed Jeremiah that his cousin Hanameel would come to him to offer the sale of a field in Anathoth, Jeremiah's hometown, which was located in the territory of Benjamin and would soon be overrun by the Babylonians. This seemingly illogical act of buying land during a siege was commanded by God as a prophetic sign.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Confirmation and Prophetic Fulfillment: The immediate and precise arrival of Hanameel, offering the field, served as undeniable proof to Jeremiah that the previous divine instruction was indeed "the word of the LORD." This reinforced Jeremiah's faith and validated his prophetic calling, even in the face of widespread disbelief and persecution.
  • Hope Amidst Despair: Buying property at a time when the land was about to be conquered was a profound act of faith and a powerful visual prophecy. It symbolized God's certain promise of future restoration for Israel, indicating that the people would one day return from exile and possess their land again, as further elaborated in Jeremiah 32:15. This act underscored God's plan for a future, even during judgment.
  • Obedience and Trust: Jeremiah's willingness to engage in this transaction, despite his imprisonment and the dire circumstances, demonstrates his radical obedience and trust in God's word, even when it seemed counter-intuitive from a human perspective.

Linguistic Insights

The phrases "right of inheritance" (Hebrew: mishpat ha-yerushah) and "redemption" (Hebrew: ge'ulah) are crucial. These terms refer to the ancient Israelite law concerning family land, particularly among the Levites (Jeremiah was a priest from Anathoth). The law stipulated that if land was sold due to economic hardship, a close kinsman had the primary right to buy it back, or "redeem" it, to keep it within the family. This practice is detailed in Leviticus 25:25 and famously illustrated in the book of Ruth 4:4-6. Hanameel's appeal to Jeremiah's "right of inheritance" and "redemption" directly invokes this legal and familial obligation, further confirming the divine orchestration of the event.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 32:8 encourages believers to hold onto God's promises even when current circumstances seem bleak or contradictory. It teaches us that God's word is always reliable and that His plans for our future, and for the world, are sure, even when we are in "prisons" of our own making or facing overwhelming challenges. This verse is a powerful reminder to act in faith, trusting that God is working out His purposes, and that even in times of judgment, there is always the promise of future hope and restoration.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 32:7 (5 votes)

    Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that [is] in Anathoth: for the right of redemption [is] thine to buy [it].

  • Jeremiah 32:2 (4 votes)

    For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.

  • 1 Kings 22:25 (3 votes)

    And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

  • Jeremiah 33:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

  • 1 Samuel 10:3 (3 votes)

    Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

  • 1 Samuel 10:7 (3 votes)

    And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, [that] thou do as occasion serve thee; for God [is] with thee.

  • 1 Samuel 9:16 (3 votes)

    To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him [to be] captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.