King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:10 in the King James Version says “And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. subscribed:...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. subscribed: Heb. wrote in the book”

Jeremiah 32:10 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. seventeen: or, seven shekels and ten pieces of silver

10

And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. subscribed: Heb. wrote in the book

11

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

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.

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. This verse describes Jeremiah's purchase of a field in Anathoth during Jerusalem's siege by Babylon—a prophetic sign-act demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Hebrew kahtov basefer (כָּתוֹב בַּסֵּפֶר, "subscribed the evidence") refers to signing the legal deed. Va'echtom (וָאֶחְתֹּם, "sealed it") involved pressing a clay seal to authenticate the document, protecting it from tampering.

"Took witnesses" (va'a'id edim) follows ancient Near Eastern legal protocols requiring multiple witnesses for property transactions. "Weighed him the money in the balances" reflects pre-coinage economies where silver was measured by weight (shekel literally means "weight"). This meticulous legal process authenticated Jeremiah's purchase before God and man.

The theological significance is profound: while Jerusalem faced imminent destruction and exile, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase land—an act of faith in God's promise of restoration. This purchase declared that "houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land" (Jeremiah 32:15). It demonstrates that true faith trusts God's promises even when circumstances seem hopeless. For believers, this models confident hope in God's ultimate restoration despite present difficulties, pointing forward to Christ's securing our eternal inheritance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurred in 587 BC during Nebuchadnezzar's final siege of Jerusalem, months before the city's destruction. Jeremiah was imprisoned in the court of the guard for prophesying Jerusalem's fall—considered treasonous by King Zedekiah. The purchase of family land in Anathoth (Jeremiah's hometown, about 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem) exercised his right of redemption as nearest kinsman (go'el), based on Levitical law (Leviticus 25:25).

Ancient Near Eastern property transactions followed strict legal protocols. Archaeological discoveries of clay tablets from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Elephantine show similar procedures: written contracts, sealed copies, witnesses, and measured payment. The "evidence" likely consisted of two copies—one sealed (for safekeeping) and one open (for reference), stored in earthen jars for preservation (Jeremiah 32:14), as confirmed by Dead Sea Scroll discoveries.

The historical context makes Jeremiah's purchase remarkable: Jerusalem was besieged, famine ravaged the city, Babylonian victory was certain, and the land would soon be worthless. Yet Jeremiah's obedience to God's command demonstrated faith that exceeded rational calculation. The Babylonian exile lasted 70 years, after which Judeans did indeed return and repossess their ancestral lands, fulfilling this prophetic sign.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah's purchase of land during a siege demonstrate radical faith in God's promises despite contrary circumstances?
  2. What does this legal transaction reveal about God's character—His faithfulness to keep covenant promises?
  3. In what ways does this passage challenge believers to make costly, faith-based decisions that seem foolish by worldly standards?
  4. How does Jeremiah's role as <em>go'el</em> (redeemer) prefigure Christ's work as our Kinsman-Redeemer?
  5. What hope does this passage offer believers facing seemingly hopeless situations—whether personal, ecclesial, or cultural?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וָאֶכְתֹּ֤ב1 of 8

“And I subscribed”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בַּסֵּ֙פֶר֙2 of 8

“the evidence”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

וָֽאֶחְתֹּ֔ם3 of 8

“and sealed”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

וָאָעֵ֖ד4 of 8

“it and took”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

עֵדִ֑ים5 of 8

“witnesses”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

וָאֶשְׁקֹ֥ל6 of 8

“and weighed”

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

הַכֶּ֖סֶף7 of 8

“him the money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בְּמֹאזְנָֽיִם׃8 of 8

“in the balances”

H3976

(only in the dual) a pair of scales

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 32:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 32:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:44Jeremiah 32:12Deuteronomy 32:34Job 14:17Isaiah 44:5Jeremiah 32:25

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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