King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:6 in the King James Version says “And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,”

Jeremiah 32:6 · KJV

Context

4

And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

5

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

6

And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

7

Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.

8

So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces one of Scripture's most dramatic enacted prophecies. Jeremiah, imprisoned by King Zedekiah for prophesying Jerusalem's fall, receives God's word that his cousin Hanamel will offer to sell him a field in Anathoth. The precise prediction demonstrates divine foreknowledge and prepares Jeremiah for the coming transaction. When it unfolds exactly as God said, Jeremiah recognizes God's sovereign orchestration of events.

The phrase 'the word of the LORD came unto me' is the prophetic formula Jeremiah uses throughout his book. It emphasizes that his message originates not from his own imagination but from divine revelation. This distinguishes true prophets from false ones—the true prophet speaks what God has revealed, while false prophets speak from their own hearts (23:16). Jeremiah's consistent faithfulness to God's word, even when it brought him suffering, validates his prophetic credentials.

This passage models faith in God's promises despite contrary circumstances. Jerusalem is under siege, Jeremiah is in prison, Babylon's victory is certain—yet God commands him to purchase land as testimony that 'houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land' (v. 15). This is faith: acting on God's word even when present reality seems to contradict it. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Jeremiah's field purchase embodied this definition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in 588 BC during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (the tenth year of Zedekiah, eighteenth of Nebuchadnezzar). The city would fall within two years, and Zedekiah would be captured trying to escape. Jeremiah had been imprisoned for prophesying these events (vv. 2-5). In this context, purchasing land seemed foolish—like buying stock in a company going bankrupt. Yet faith acts on God's promises, not present appearances.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise prediction of Hanamel's visit demonstrate divine sovereignty over even mundane personal decisions?
  2. What does it mean to act in faith when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises?
  3. How should we respond when God calls us to actions that seem foolish or counterintuitive from a worldly perspective?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
לֵאמֹֽר׃1 of 7

“came unto me saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ2 of 7

“And Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הָיָ֥ה3 of 7
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְּבַר4 of 7

“The word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 7

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֥י6 of 7
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹֽר׃7 of 7

“came unto me saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 32:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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