King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:7 in the King James Version says “Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 32:7 · KJV


Context

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.

9

And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. seventeen: or, seven shekels and ten pieces of silver


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God specifies the exact transaction: Hanamel will offer his field in Anathoth, and Jeremiah has 'the right of redemption' to purchase it. This refers to the Levitical law of kinsman redemption (Leviticus 25:25-28; Ruth 4:1-6), which required the nearest relative to buy back family land to keep it in the family. Anathoth was in Benjamin's territory, assigned to the Levitical priests (Joshua 21:18), and Jeremiah was from a priestly family. His purchase would prevent the field from passing to strangers.

The redemption law beautifully illustrates the gospel. When humanity lost our inheritance through sin, we needed a kinsman-redeemer willing and able to buy us back. Christ became truly human (our kinsman) to redeem us. Boaz redeeming Ruth's land and taking her as wife pictures Christ redeeming His bride, the church. Jeremiah's act of redemption, maintaining his family's inheritance, points to Christ maintaining God's people as His inheritance.

This transaction also demonstrates faith in God's promises. Though Babylon would conquer the land, God promised eventual restoration. Jeremiah's purchase was an acted parable declaring, 'This land belongs to God's people; we will return; these fields will again produce crops for Hebrew farmers.' Faith doesn't deny present difficulty but trusts future promises more than current circumstances.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Anathoth was Jeremiah's hometown (1:1), about three miles northeast of Jerusalem. It would be in Babylonian hands within months. The field might have been in his family for centuries, inherited from their Levitical ancestors. Jeremiah's redemption prevented it from being lost permanently. Centuries later, when Christ redeemed humanity, He too prevented our permanent loss, buying back what seemed irretrievably forfeited through sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the law of kinsman redemption illustrate Christ's work in redeeming His people?
  2. What does Jeremiah's obedience to redemption law teach us about honoring God's commands even in difficult circumstances?
  3. In what ways does this transaction demonstrate that God's promises about the future should shape our decisions in the present?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הִנֵּ֣ה1 of 19
H2009

lo!

חֲנַמְאֵ֗ל2 of 19

Behold Hanameel

H2601

chanamel, an israelite

בֶּן3 of 19

the son

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

שַׁלֻּם֙4 of 19

of Shallum

H7967

shallum, the name of fourteen israelites

דֹּֽדְךָ֔5 of 19

thine uncle

H1730

(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle

בָּ֥א6 of 19

shall come

H935

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

אֵלֶ֖יךָ7 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 19

unto thee saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִקְנֽוֹת׃9 of 19

Buy

H7069

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

לְךָ֗10 of 19
H0
אֶת11 of 19
H853

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

שָׂדִי֙12 of 19

thee my field

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 19
H834

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

בַּעֲנָת֔וֹת14 of 19

that is in Anathoth

H6068

anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal

כִּ֥י15 of 19
H3588

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

לְךָ֛16 of 19
H0
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט17 of 19

for the right

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

הַגְּאֻלָּ֖ה18 of 19

of redemption

H1353

redemption (including the right and the object); by implication, relationship

לִקְנֽוֹת׃19 of 19

Buy

H7069

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


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 32:7 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 32:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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