King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:16 in the King James Version says “Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 32:16 · KJV

SalvationPrayer

Context

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,

17

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: too: or, hid from thee

18

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch...I prayed unto the LORD—Having completed the prophetic sign-act of purchasing the field, Jeremiah immediately turned to prayer (palal, פָּלַל, to intercede or meditate). This transition from obedient action to earnest prayer models the proper response to God's mysterious providence. Jeremiah had obeyed God's command to buy the field (vv. 6-15), performing a seemingly irrational act of faith. Yet obedience didn't eliminate perplexity—it drove him to prayer.

The timing is significant: Jeremiah prayed when I had delivered (after completing the legal transaction), not before. He acted in faith on God's revealed will, then sought understanding through prayer. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—Abraham obeyed God's call before understanding the full plan (Genesis 12:1-4), Mary submitted to God's purpose before comprehending the incarnation (Luke 1:38). Faith precedes full understanding. Jeremiah's prayer (vv. 17-25) wrestles honestly with the apparent contradiction between God's promise of future restoration (v. 15) and the present reality of divine judgment. This demonstrates that genuine faith coexists with honest questions. God's response (vv. 26-44) doesn't rebuke Jeremiah for questioning but provides deeper understanding, showing that prayer is the proper forum for wrestling with divine mysteries.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer occurred during the final months of Judah's existence as an independent kingdom (588/587 BC). Jerusalem was under siege, famine gripped the city, Babylonian armies surrounded the walls, and destruction was imminent. Jeremiah himself was imprisoned for prophesying Judah's defeat. In this desperate context, having just completed the absurd act of buying condemned land, Jeremiah turned to prayer—not as an escape from reality but as engagement with the God who governs reality. Ancient Near Eastern religion typically involved mechanical rituals designed to manipulate deities. By contrast, Jeremiah's prayer demonstrates covenant relationship—honest dialogue with a personal God who invites His people to bring their questions and perplexities before Him. This prayer tradition continued in post-exilic Judaism (see Daniel 9, Nehemiah 9) and was fulfilled supremely in Jesus, who taught His disciples to address God as 'Our Father' (Matthew 6:9) and who Himself prayed honestly in Gethsemane about the difficulty of the path before Him (Luke 22:42).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why might God sometimes call us to act in faith before providing full understanding of His purposes?
  2. How does Jeremiah's example of moving from obedient action to honest prayer provide a model for responding to God's mysterious providence?
  3. What perplexing situations in your life need to be brought before God in prayer rather than resolved through human reasoning alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֖ל1 of 13

“I prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אֶל2 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֑ה3 of 13

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אַחֲרֵ֤י4 of 13

“Now when”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

תִתִּי֙5 of 13

“I had delivered”

H5414

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

אֶת6 of 13
H853

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

סֵ֣פֶר7 of 13

“the evidence”

H5612

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

הַמִּקְנָ֔ה8 of 13

“of the purchase”

H4736

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

אֶל9 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּר֥וּךְ10 of 13

“unto Baruch”

H1263

baruk, the name of three israelites

בֶּן11 of 13

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נֵרִיָּ֖ה12 of 13

“of Neriah”

H5374

nerijah, an israelite

לֵאמֹֽר׃13 of 13

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 32:16 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 32:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 12:1Genesis 32:9-12Philippians 4:6-7Ezekiel 36:35-372 Samuel 7:18-25

Test Your Knowledge

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