King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:36 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:36 in the King James Version says “And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered in...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;”

Jeremiah 32:36 · KJV

Salvation

Context

34

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

35

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

36

And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;

37

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

38

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Read Jeremiah 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence—God quotes the people's fatalistic assessment. After recounting Judah's sins (vv. 28-35), God pivots to restoration. The threefold judgment formula—sword, famine, pestilence—is acknowledged, but verse 36 introduces the turning point. The phrase And now therefore (וְעַתָּה) signals transition from indictment to hope.

God doesn't deny the coming judgment but begins unfolding His future restoration plan (vv. 37-44). This literary structure—judgment then hope—characterizes the entire book of Jeremiah. Romans 11:29 declares, 'the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable'; even covenant judgment couldn't cancel God's elective purposes for Israel. The New Covenant (31:31-34) and restoration promises (32:37-44) demonstrate God's redemptive persistence beyond deserved wrath.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The people's confession 'It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon' shows they finally believed Jeremiah's prophecies—but too late to avert judgment. However, this acknowledgment positioned them to receive the restoration promises that follow, fulfilled in the post-exilic return (538 BC onward).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when the consequences of sin become unavoidable—despair or hope in God's restoration?
  2. What does God's 'and now therefore' teach about His character beyond judgment?
  3. How does the pattern of judgment-then-restoration apply to personal or corporate sin today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְעַתָּ֕ה1 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לָכֵ֛ן2 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּֽה3 of 20
H3541

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

אֹמְרִ֗ים4 of 20

“And now therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 20

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל7 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אֶל8 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעִ֨יר9 of 20

“concerning this city”

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֔את10 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀11 of 20
H834

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

אַתֶּ֣ם12 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֹמְרִ֗ים13 of 20

“And now therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נִתְּנָה֙14 of 20

“It shall be delivered”

H5414

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

בְּיַ֣ד15 of 20

“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

מֶֽלֶךְ16 of 20

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל17 of 20

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

בַּחֶ֖רֶב18 of 20

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּבָרָעָ֥ב19 of 20

“and by the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבַדָּֽבֶר׃20 of 20

“and by the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

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 32:36 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 32:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:3Jeremiah 32:24Jeremiah 32:28Jeremiah 16:12-15Ephesians 2:3-5Isaiah 57:17-18

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 32 →

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