Jeremiah 32:11
So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
סֵ֣פֶר
the evidence
H5612
סֵ֣פֶר
the evidence
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַמִּקְנָ֑ה
of the purchase
H4736
הַמִּקְנָ֑ה
of the purchase
Strong's:
H4736
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a buying, i.e., acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֶֽחָת֛וּם
both that which was sealed
H2856
הֶֽחָת֛וּם
both that which was sealed
Strong's:
H2856
Word #:
6 of 10
to close up; especially to seal
הַמִּצְוָ֥ה
according to the law
H4687
הַמִּצְוָ֥ה
according to the law
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
7 of 10
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וְהַחֻקִּ֖ים
and custom
H2706
וְהַחֻקִּ֖ים
and custom
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
8 of 10
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
Historical Context
Clay jars (v. 14) were standard for long-term document preservation in ancient Near East—the Dead Sea Scrolls were similarly preserved. The dual-document system protected against fraud while maintaining accessibility. Such legal precision in Scripture confirms eyewitness testimony and historical reliability.
Questions for Reflection
- How does careful legal documentation during crisis demonstrate faith in God's long-term faithfulness?
- What 'evidences' should believers preserve for future generations about God's covenant faithfulness?
- How does the sealed/open document system illustrate progressive revelation in Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The evidence of the purchase (סֵפֶר הַמִּקְנָה, sefer hammiqnah—scroll of purchase) both that which was sealed...and that which was open—Ancient contracts used a dual-document system: one sealed (official, tamper-proof) and one open (accessible for reference). This matches archaeological discoveries of cuneiform tablets with sealed clay envelopes.
The careful preservation of legal documents (according to the law and custom) demonstrates covenant continuity. Even in chaos, God honors order and law. The sealed/open contrast parallels Scripture itself—some truths sealed until proper time (Daniel 12:4, Revelation 22:10), others openly revealed. Jeremiah's meticulous legal procedure during catastrophe models faith that trusts God's future restoration enough to preserve evidence for generations yet unborn—these documents would prove Israel's land rights after exile.