Jeremiah 32:36
And 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;
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֕ה
H6258
לָכֵ֛ן
H3651
לָכֵ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אֹמְרִ֗ים
And now therefore thus saith
H559
אֹמְרִ֗ים
And now therefore thus saith
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
4 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָעִ֨יר
concerning this city
H5892
הָעִ֨יר
concerning this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֹמְרִ֗ים
And now therefore thus saith
H559
אֹמְרִ֗ים
And now therefore thus saith
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
13 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
נִתְּנָה֙
It shall be delivered
H5414
נִתְּנָה֙
It shall be delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיַ֣ד
into the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֣ד
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 20
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
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
17 of 20
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בַּחֶ֖רֶב
by the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֖רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
18 of 20
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
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 32:3For 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 32:28Therefore 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:
Historical Context
The people's confession 'It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon' shows they finally believed Jeremiah's prophecies—but too late to avert judgment. However, this acknowledgment positioned them to receive the restoration promises that follow, fulfilled in the post-exilic return (538 BC onward).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when the consequences of sin become unavoidable—despair or hope in God's restoration?
- What does God's 'and now therefore' teach about His character beyond judgment?
- How does the pattern of judgment-then-restoration apply to personal or corporate sin today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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—God quotes the people's fatalistic assessment. After recounting Judah's sins (vv. 28-35), God pivots to restoration. The threefold judgment formula—sword, famine, pestilence—is acknowledged, but verse 36 introduces the turning point. The phrase And now therefore (וְעַתָּה) signals transition from indictment to hope.
God doesn't deny the coming judgment but begins unfolding His future restoration plan (vv. 37-44). This literary structure—judgment then hope—characterizes the entire book of Jeremiah. Romans 11:29 declares, 'the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable'; even covenant judgment couldn't cancel God's elective purposes for Israel. The New Covenant (31:31-34) and restoration promises (32:37-44) demonstrate God's redemptive persistence beyond deserved wrath.