King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:25 in the King James Version says “And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. for the: or, though the”

Jeremiah 32:25 · KJV

Context

23

And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:

24

Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it. mounts: or, engines of shot

25

And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. for the: or, though the

26

Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

27

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah restates his dilemma: Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses—God commanded a legally binding real estate transaction (with witnesses for validity) while simultaneously declaring the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. The Hebrew qanah (קָנָה, buy/acquire) suggests permanent possession, not temporary lease.

This verse captures the scandal of faith: obeying God's specific instruction when it appears foolish by earthly logic. Jeremiah doesn't accuse God of contradiction but presents the tension honestly. His obedience despite confusion (he already bought the field, vv. 9-12) demonstrates faith that God's economy operates beyond human calculation. This prefigures Hebrews 11:1—'faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Land purchases in ancient Near Eastern culture were permanent family inheritances, not investments to flip. Jeremiah's symbolic purchase declared that normal life—buying fields, planting vineyards—would resume after exile (v. 15). The witnessed deed represented hope beyond the 70-year captivity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What has God asked you to 'purchase' (invest in) that seems economically or logically foolish?
  2. How does Jeremiah's obedience before understanding challenge your need for clarity before action?
  3. In what area of life are you waiting for certainty rather than walking by faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאַתָּ֞ה1 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אָמַ֤רְתָּ2 of 15

“And thou hast said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֙3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 15

“unto me O Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה5 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

קְנֵֽה6 of 15

“Buy”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

לְךָ֧7 of 15
H0
הַשָּׂדֶ֛ה8 of 15

“thee the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

בַּכֶּ֖סֶף9 of 15

“for money”

H3701

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

וְהָעֵ֣ד10 of 15

“and take”

H5749

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

עֵדִ֑ים11 of 15

“witnesses”

H5707

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

וְהָעִ֥יר12 of 15

“for the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

נִתְּנָ֖ה13 of 15

“is given”

H5414

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

בְּיַ֥ד14 of 15

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַכַּשְׂדִּֽים׃15 of 15

“of the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

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 32:25 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 32:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:24Psalms 77:19Romans 11:33-34Psalms 97:2John 13:7

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Jeremiah 32 →

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