King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:14 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is seal...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.”

Jeremiah 32:14 · KJV

Context

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.

13

And I charged Baruch before them, saying,

14

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.

15

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

16

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

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel—The covenant formula emphasizes divine authority: YHWH Tseva'ot (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, LORD of hosts), the sovereign commander of heavenly armies, and Elohei Yisrael (אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, God of Israel), Israel's covenant God. This combination assures that despite Babylon's siege, God remains sovereign and faithful to His covenant people. Take these evidences...and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days—The instruction to preserve both the sealed and open copies of the deed in a keli-cheres (כְּלִי־חֶרֶשׂ, earthenware jar) reflects standard ancient practice. Clay vessels provided protection from moisture and deterioration, enabling documents to survive decades or centuries. Archaeological discoveries at Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) and Elephantine confirm this preservation method.

The phrase many days (yamim rabbim, יָמִים רַבִּים) deliberately echoes Jeremiah 29:28, where Jeremiah told exiles the captivity would last long. The deed must survive the seventy-year exile and the destruction of Jerusalem. This preservation wasn't merely for legal purposes—it served as prophetic testimony. Future generations would see these documents and remember that God promised restoration even in judgment's darkest hour. Similarly, Scripture preserved in written form testifies across generations that God keeps His promises. The incarnate Word (John 1:14) and written Word together assure us that God's purposes endure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Earthenware jars were the standard storage method for important documents in the ancient Near East. The dry climate of Palestine and surrounding regions allowed such vessels to preserve papyrus and leather documents for extended periods. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in clay jars at Qumran nearly two millennia after being stored, demonstrate the effectiveness of this preservation method. Jeremiah's instruction anticipated that Jerusalem would be destroyed and that normal record-keeping systems would not survive. By placing the deed in a sealed jar, it could outlast the Babylonian conquest, survive the seventy-year exile, and testify to returning exiles that God had always planned restoration. The 'many days' proved to be seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10), after which Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). Whether Baruch's literal jar survived is unknown, but the account preserved in Scripture fulfilled the same purpose—testifying to God's faithfulness across generations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the preservation of these legal documents in jars illustrate God's care for maintaining a faithful testimony across generations?
  2. What does the instruction to preserve both sealed and open copies teach about the importance of verifiable, public testimony to God's promises?
  3. In what ways does the preservation of Scripture across millennia serve the same purpose as these preserved deeds—testifying that God keeps His word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כֹּֽה1 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֩2 of 27

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 27

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת4 of 27

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 27

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל6 of 27

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לָק֣וֹחַ7 of 27

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סֵ֤פֶר9 of 27

“and this evidence”

H5612

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

הָאֵ֡לֶּה10 of 27
H428

these or those

אֵ֣ת11 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סֵ֤פֶר12 of 27

“and this evidence”

H5612

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

הַמִּקְנָ֨ה13 of 27

“of the purchase”

H4736

properly, a buying, i.e., acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid

הַזֶּ֜ה14 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאֵ֣ת15 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הֶחָת֗וּם16 of 27

“both which is sealed”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

וְאֵ֨ת17 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סֵ֤פֶר18 of 27

“and this evidence”

H5612

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

הַגָּלוּי֙19 of 27

“which is open”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

הַזֶּ֔ה20 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּנְתַתָּ֖ם21 of 27

“and put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בִּכְלִי22 of 27

“vessel”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חָ֑רֶשׂ23 of 27

“them in an earthen”

H2789

a piece of pottery

לְמַ֥עַן24 of 27
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יַעַמְד֖וּ25 of 27

“that they may continue”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

יָמִ֥ים26 of 27

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רַבִּֽים׃27 of 27

“many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

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 32:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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