King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:32 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:32 in the King James Version says “Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

Jeremiah 32:32 · KJV

Context

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

32

Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. back: Heb. neck

34

But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger—God catalogs the comprehensive guilt: they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Every societal stratum participated in covenant rebellion—political leaders (kings, princes), religious authorities (priests, prophets), and common citizens. The complete list demonstrates that apostasy wasn't limited to a corrupt elite; the entire nation was complicit.

This echoes Isaiah 1:4-6's diagnosis of total corruption 'from the sole of the foot even unto the head.' When shepherds and sheep alike rebel, judgment becomes inevitable. Jesus later wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) because they 'knew not the time of thy visitation'—repeating the same pattern of rejecting God's messengers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's final kings (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) were universally wicked. Priests like those in Jeremiah 26:7-11 opposed the prophet. False prophets like Hananiah (Jeremiah 28) contradicted God's word. This systemic corruption meant no human institution remained to avert judgment—only exile could purge the rot.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does systemic sin—involving leaders and followers alike—manifest in modern institutions?
  2. Are you quicker to blame corrupt leadership or acknowledge your own complicity in corporate evil?
  3. What safeguards prevent entire communities (churches, nations) from collective apostasy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
עַל֩1 of 19
H5921

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

כָּל2 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רָעַ֨ת3 of 19

“Because of all the evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וּבְנֵ֣י4 of 19

“and of the children”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל5 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וּבְנֵ֣י6 of 19

“and of the children”

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה7 of 19

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֲשֶׁ֤ר8 of 19
H834

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

עָשׂוּ֙9 of 19

“which they have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְהַכְעִסֵ֔נִי10 of 19

“to provoke me to anger”

H3707

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

הֵ֤מָּה11 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מַלְכֵיהֶם֙12 of 19

“they their kings”

H4428

a king

שָֽׂרֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 19

“their princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

כֹּהֲנֵיהֶ֖ם14 of 19

“their priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וּנְבִֽיאֵיהֶ֑ם15 of 19

“and their prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְאִ֣ישׁ16 of 19

“and the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְהוּדָ֔ה17 of 19

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיֹשְׁבֵ֖י18 of 19

“and the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃19 of 19

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 32:32 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 32:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:4-6Jeremiah 2:26Daniel 9:8Isaiah 1:23Ezra 9:7Ezekiel 22:25-29

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 32 →

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