Jeremiah 32:2
For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
Original Language Analysis
וְאָ֗ז
H227
חֵ֚יל
army
H2428
חֵ֚יל
army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
2 of 17
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon's
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon's
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
4 of 17
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
צָרִ֖ים
besieged
H6696
צָרִ֖ים
besieged
Strong's:
H6696
Word #:
5 of 17
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
7 of 17
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְיִרְמְיָ֣הוּ
and Jeremiah
H3414
וְיִרְמְיָ֣הוּ
and Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
8 of 17
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָלוּא֙
was shut up
H3607
כָלוּא֙
was shut up
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
11 of 17
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
בַּחֲצַ֣ר
in the court
H2691
בַּחֲצַ֣ר
in the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
12 of 17
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַמַּטָּרָ֔ה
of the prison
H4307
הַמַּטָּרָ֔ה
of the prison
Strong's:
H4307
Word #:
13 of 17
a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 37:21Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.Nehemiah 3:25Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.Jeremiah 33:1Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,Jeremiah 38:6Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.Jeremiah 32:8So 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.
Historical Context
The 'court of the prison' (distinct from the dungeon, 38:6) was a walled area within the royal palace complex where Jeremiah had limited freedom. Zedekiah's vacillation—imprisoning yet consulting Jeremiah (v. 3-5, 37:17-21)—reflects his weak character and the prophetic-political tension of the period.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does faithfulness to God's word sometimes result in imprisonment rather than deliverance?
- How does Jeremiah's suffering foreshadow Christ's rejection by the religious establishment?
- What does Zedekiah's fear of both God's prophet and Babylonian power reveal about attempting to serve two masters?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem (צַר, tsar—to bind, besiege, cause distress). The military term conveys more than tactical encirclement—it's covenantal language for divine judgment (Deuteronomy 28:52-53). God weaponizes Babylon against His own people.
Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison (חֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה, chatsar hamattarah—the guard courtyard). Jeremiah's imprisonment for prophesying Jerusalem's fall (v. 3-5) creates dramatic irony: God's faithful spokesman is imprisoned while the rebellious king remains 'free' yet doomed. The prophet's suffering validates his message—he experiences in microcosm the city's coming captivity. Like Joseph, Daniel, and ultimately Christ, the righteous suffer unjustly under God's sovereign plan.