King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:8 in the King James Version says “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, ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 32:8 · KJV


Context

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

10

And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. subscribed: Heb. wrote in the book


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When Hanamel arrives exactly as God predicted, Jeremiah recognizes this as confirmation: 'Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.' God's word proved reliable; the prophecy was fulfilled precisely. This confirmation strengthened Jeremiah's faith to proceed with the seemingly foolish purchase. The phrase 'in the court of the prison' reminds us that Jeremiah was confined for his faithfulness—yet even imprisonment couldn't prevent God's purposes from being fulfilled.

This pattern—God speaks, events unfold as predicted, faith is confirmed—recurs throughout Scripture. When God told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved 400 years then delivered (Genesis 15:13-14), Abraham believed God. When it happened exactly as predicted, Israel's faith was confirmed. When Jesus predicted His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31), the disciples struggled to believe. When it happened as He said, their faith was established (John 20:8).

The confirmatory nature of fulfilled prophecy is crucial to Christian faith. We believe the Bible is God's word partly because its predictions have proven reliable. Prophecies about Christ's first coming were fulfilled in detail. This gives confidence that prophecies about His second coming will likewise be fulfilled. Our faith is not blind leap into the unknown but trust in the God who has proven faithful to His word throughout history.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The court of the prison (likely the guardhouse) allowed Jeremiah limited freedom and visitors while preventing his escape or continued public prophesying. Though confined, he could still conduct business transactions like this land purchase. God's purposes are not thwarted by human attempts to silence His messengers. Truth may be imprisoned, but it cannot be killed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fulfillment of God's predictions strengthen our faith and willingness to obey even difficult commands?
  2. What does it mean that Jeremiah was imprisoned yet still able to fulfill God's purposes—how does this encourage us when circumstances restrict our freedom?
  3. How should the Bible's track record of fulfilled prophecy affect our confidence in its promises that have not yet been fulfilled?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 34

came

H935

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

אֵ֠לַי2 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲנַמְאֵ֨ל3 of 34

So Hanameel

H2601

chanamel, an israelite

בֶּן4 of 34

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

דֹּדִ֜י5 of 34

mine uncle's

H1730

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

דְבַר6 of 34

according to the word

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה7 of 34

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל8 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲצַ֣ר9 of 34

to me in the court

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

הַמַּטָּרָה֒10 of 34

of the prison

H4307

a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר11 of 34

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֡י12 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְנֵה13 of 34

is thine buy

H7069

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

נָ֠א14 of 34
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶת15 of 34
H853

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

שָׂדִ֨י16 of 34

my field

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֲשֶׁר17 of 34
H834

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

בַּעֲנָת֜וֹת18 of 34

I pray thee that is in Anathoth

H6068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀19 of 34
H834

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

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ20 of 34

which is in the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּנְיָמִ֗ין21 of 34

of Benjamin

H1144

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

כִּֽי22 of 34
H3588

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

לְךָ֞23 of 34
H0
מִשְׁפַּ֧ט24 of 34

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

הַיְרֻשָּׁ֛ה25 of 34

of inheritance

H3425

something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony

וּלְךָ֥26 of 34
H0
הַגְּאֻלָּ֖ה27 of 34

is thine and the redemption

H1353

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

קְנֵה28 of 34

is thine buy

H7069

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

לָ֑ךְ29 of 34
H0
וָאֵדַ֕ע30 of 34

it for thyself Then I knew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֥י31 of 34
H3588

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

דְבַר32 of 34

according to the word

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה33 of 34

of the LORD

H3068

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

הֽוּא׃34 of 34
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo


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 32:8 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 32:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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