Jeremiah 32:28
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֕ן
H3651
לָכֵ֕ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֖ה
H3541
כֹּ֖ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נֹתֵן֩
Behold I will give
H5414
נֹתֵן֩
Behold I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֨יר
this city
H5892
הָעִ֨יר
this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 16
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וּבְיַ֛ד
and into the hand
H3027
וּבְיַ֛ד
and into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֗ים
of the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֗ים
of the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
11 of 16
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
וּבְיַ֛ד
and into the hand
H3027
וּבְיַ֛ד
and into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
13 of 16
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:3For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;Jeremiah 32:24Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.Jeremiah 32:36And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) besieged Jerusalem three times (605, 597, 587 BC). The 587 BC siege, referenced here, culminated in the city's destruction and the temple's burning. Despite being a pagan tyrant, God used him to execute covenant judgment on Judah's idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty over pagan rulers challenge modern notions of political power?
- When has God used difficult circumstances or 'enemies' to discipline or refine you?
- Does recognizing God's hand in judgment lead you to repentance or resentment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans—God answers Jeremiah by confirming the judgment. The divine passive I will give (נֹתֵן אָנֹכִי) emphasizes God's active sovereignty; Babylon is merely His instrument. Nebuchadrezzar (נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר)—the Hebrew spelling—is identified as God's appointed agent, called 'my servant' in Jeremiah 25:9.
The phrase he shall take it uses lakad (לָכַד, capture/seize), the same verb for capturing prey. This military certainty wasn't fatalism but prophetic realism based on covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:49-52). God's sovereignty over pagan empires demonstrates that human history unfolds under divine providence, not chaos. Romans 13:1 echoes this: 'there is no authority except from God.'