Jeremiah 32:43
And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
Original Language Analysis
וְנִקְנָ֥ה
shall be bought
H7069
וְנִקְנָ֥ה
shall be bought
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
1 of 15
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִיא֙
H1931
הִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מֵאֵ֤ין
H369
אָדָם֙
without man
H120
אָדָם֙
without man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
11 of 15
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וּבְהֵמָ֔ה
or beast
H929
וּבְהֵמָ֔ה
or beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
נִתְּנָ֖ה
it is given
H5414
נִתְּנָ֖ה
it is given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Historical Context
The phrase 'without man or beast' echoes earlier judgment prophecies (4:25, 9:10, 33:10, 12). Archaeological evidence confirms widespread depopulation of Judah after 586 BC—towns destroyed, economy collapsed. The post-exilic returns under Zerubbabel (538 BC) and Ezra (458 BC) began fulfilling this prophecy, though full restoration awaits eschatological completion.
Questions for Reflection
- What situations in your life appear so devastated that restoration seems impossible?
- How does resumption of 'ordinary' activities (buying land, doing business) reflect God's comprehensive salvation?
- Why does God often command faith-actions (like Jeremiah's land purchase) before circumstances change?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And fields shall be bought in this land (וְנִקְנָה הַשָּׂדֶה בָּאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת)—normal commercial transactions resume, reversing desolation. The verb qanah (קָנָה, buy/acquire) is the same used of Jeremiah's purchase (v. 9), now generalized to all returnees. This contradicts the people's despairing assessment: whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast (אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם אֹמְרִים שְׁמָמָה הִיא מֵאֵין אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה).
It is given into the hand of the Chaldeans (נִתְּנָה בְּיַד הַכַּשְׂדִּים)—present tense describes current reality: Babylonian occupation. Yet God declares future commerce will flourish under conditions that seemed permanently terminal. This demonstrates faith's counter-cultural perspective: seeing restoration in ruins, covenant faithfulness in conquest, divine purpose in disaster.