King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:29 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:29 in the King James Version says “And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

Jeremiah 32:29 · KJV


Context

27

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

28

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:

29

And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

30

For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

31

For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face, a provocation: Heb. for my anger


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Chaldeans...shall come and set fire on this city—Literal fulfillment came in 587 BC when Babylon burned Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:9). God specifies why: upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods. Rooftop worship was common in ancient Israel (Jeremiah 19:13, Zephaniah 1:5), turning domestic space into idolatrous high places.

The phrase to provoke me to anger (לְהַכְעִסֵנִי, l'hakh'iseni) appears repeatedly in Jeremiah (7:18-19, 11:17, 25:6-7). The Hebrew ka'as denotes deliberate provocation, not accidental offense. Israel's syncretism—mixing Yahweh worship with Baal fertility rites—constituted spiritual adultery. The house fires represent poetic justice: places of false worship consumed by flames of judgment. Hebrews 10:31 warns, 'It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Baal worship involved incense offerings and drink libations (wine poured out) to secure agricultural fertility. Rooftops provided semi-private worship spaces. Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered rooftop altars from this period, confirming the biblical account.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'rooftop idols'—private sins hidden from public view—might you be harboring?
  2. How does mixing Christian faith with secular values parallel Israel's Baal syncretism?
  3. In what ways do we 'provoke' God while maintaining religious appearances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וּבָ֣אוּ1 of 25

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֗ים2 of 25

And 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

הַנִּלְחָמִים֙3 of 25

that fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

עַל4 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָעִ֥יר5 of 25

against this city

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֔את6 of 25
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְהִצִּ֜יתוּ7 of 25

and set

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

אֶת8 of 25
H853

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

הָעִ֥יר9 of 25

against this city

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֛את10 of 25
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בָּאֵ֖שׁ11 of 25

fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּשְׂרָפ֑וּהָ12 of 25

and burn

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

וְאֵ֣ת13 of 25
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַבָּתִּ֡ים14 of 25

it with the houses

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁר֩15 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

קִטְּר֨וּ16 of 25

they have offered incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

עַל17 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּגּֽוֹתֵיהֶ֜ם18 of 25

upon whose roofs

H1406

a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

לַבַּ֗עַל19 of 25

unto Baal

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וְהִסִּ֤כוּ20 of 25

and poured out

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

נְסָכִים֙21 of 25

drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

לֵאלֹהִ֣ים22 of 25

gods

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

אֲחֵרִ֔ים23 of 25

unto other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

לְמַ֖עַן24 of 25
H4616

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

הַכְעִסֵֽנִי׃25 of 25

to provoke me to anger

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant


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 32:29 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 32:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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