Jeremiah Chapter 32 · Verse 28

Authorized King James Version

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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
אָמַ֣ר Therefore thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר Therefore thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
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
הִנְנִ֣י H2005
הִנְנִ֣י
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 5 of 16
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
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)
הַזֹּ֜את H2063
הַזֹּ֜את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 9 of 16
this (often used adverb)
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
מֶֽלֶךְ king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 14 of 16
a king
בָּבֶ֖ל of Babylon H894
בָּבֶ֖ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 15 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ and he shall take H3920
וּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ and he shall take
Strong's: H3920
Word #: 16 of 16
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

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.'

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