Jeremiah 32:25
And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Original Language Analysis
קְנֵֽה
Buy
H7069
קְנֵֽה
Buy
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
6 of 15
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
בַּכֶּ֖סֶף
for money
H3701
בַּכֶּ֖סֶף
for money
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
9 of 15
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְהָעֵ֣ד
and take
H5749
וְהָעֵ֣ד
and take
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
10 of 15
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
עֵדִ֑ים
witnesses
H5707
עֵדִ֑ים
witnesses
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
11 of 15
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
וְהָעִ֥יר
for the city
H5892
וְהָעִ֥יר
for the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
נִתְּנָ֖ה
is given
H5414
נִתְּנָ֖ה
is given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
Land purchases in ancient Near Eastern culture were permanent family inheritances, not investments to flip. Jeremiah's symbolic purchase declared that normal life—buying fields, planting vineyards—would resume after exile (v. 15). The witnessed deed represented hope beyond the 70-year captivity.
Questions for Reflection
- What has God asked you to 'purchase' (invest in) that seems economically or logically foolish?
- How does Jeremiah's obedience before understanding challenge your need for clarity before action?
- In what area of life are you waiting for certainty rather than walking by faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah restates his dilemma: Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses—God commanded a legally binding real estate transaction (with witnesses for validity) while simultaneously declaring the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. The Hebrew qanah (קָנָה, buy/acquire) suggests permanent possession, not temporary lease.
This verse captures the scandal of faith: obeying God's specific instruction when it appears foolish by earthly logic. Jeremiah doesn't accuse God of contradiction but presents the tension honestly. His obedience despite confusion (he already bought the field, vv. 9-12) demonstrates faith that God's economy operates beyond human calculation. This prefigures Hebrews 11:1—'faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'