King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:44 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:44 in the King James Version says “Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:44 · KJV


Context

42

For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

43

And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

44

Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them (יִקְנוּ שָׂדוֹת בַּכֶּסֶף וְכָתוֹב בַּסֵּפֶר וְחָתוֹם)—meticulous legal detail mirrors Jeremiah's purchase transaction (vv. 9-12, 44). Hebrew kathov basefer (write in the deed) and chatom (seal) reflect ancient Near Eastern property law requiring written contracts, witness attestation, and sealed copies for legal validity. Normal jurisprudence requires stable society—impossible under occupation.

And take witnesses in the land of Benjamin (וְהָעֵד עֵדִים)—geographical specificity follows: Benjamin's tribal territory (north of Jerusalem), Jerusalem's vicinity, Judah's cities (mountain, lowland/shephelah, Negev/south). This comprehensive enumeration covers all Judah's regions—no area remains excluded from restoration. For I will cause their captivity to return (כִּי־אָשִׁיב אֶת־שְׁבוּתָם)—literally 'restore their restoration,' emphasizing complete reversal of exile.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The five geographical zones (Benjamin, Jerusalem, hill country, shephelah, Negev) represent Judah's entire territory, systematically devastated by Nebuchadnezzar's three campaigns (605, 597, 586 BC). Nehemiah's reforms (445 BC) and economic revival demonstrate partial fulfillment; Ezra 2:1 and Nehemiah 7:6-73 list returnees by these same regions, showing God's promise precision.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God include mundane legal procedures (contracts, witnesses, seals) in prophecy about restoration?
  2. How does comprehensive geographical coverage ('hill country, valley, south') demonstrate God's attention to all His people, not just prominent locations?
  3. What does it mean that God promises to 'restore their restoration'—can restoration itself be restored?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
שָׂד֞וֹת1 of 26

fields

H7704

a field (as flat)

בַּכֶּ֣סֶף2 of 26

for money

H3701

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

יִקְנ֗וּ3 of 26

Men shall buy

H7069

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

וְכָת֨וֹב4 of 26

and subscribe

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בַּסֵּ֥פֶר׀5 of 26

evidences

H5612

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

וְחָתוֹם֮6 of 26

and seal

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

וְהָעֵ֣ד7 of 26

them and take

H5749

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

עֵדִים֒8 of 26

witnesses

H5707

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

בְּאֶ֨רֶץ9 of 26

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּנְיָמִ֜ן10 of 26

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּבִסְבִיבֵ֣י11 of 26

and in the places about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם12 of 26

Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וּבְעָרֵ֣י13 of 26

and in the cities

H5892

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

יְהוּדָה֙14 of 26

of Judah

H3063

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

וּבְעָרֵ֣י15 of 26

and in the cities

H5892

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

הָהָ֔ר16 of 26

of the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּבְעָרֵ֣י17 of 26

and in the cities

H5892

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

הַשְּׁפֵלָ֖ה18 of 26

of the valley

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וּבְעָרֵ֣י19 of 26

and in the cities

H5892

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

הַנֶּ֑גֶב20 of 26

of the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

כִּֽי21 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָשִׁ֥יב22 of 26

to return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

שְׁבוּתָ֖ם24 of 26

for I will cause their captivity

H7622

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

נְאֻם25 of 26

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃26 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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


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 32:44 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 32:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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