Jeremiah 32:7
Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דֹּֽדְךָ֔
thine uncle
H1730
דֹּֽדְךָ֔
thine uncle
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
5 of 19
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
לִקְנֽוֹת׃
Buy
H7069
לִקְנֽוֹת׃
Buy
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
9 of 19
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּעֲנָת֔וֹת
that is in Anathoth
H6068
בַּעֲנָת֔וֹת
that is in Anathoth
Strong's:
H6068
Word #:
14 of 19
anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
for the right
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
for the right
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Jeremiah 1:1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:Jeremiah 11:21Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:Leviticus 25:25If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.
Historical Context
Anathoth was Jeremiah's hometown (1:1), about three miles northeast of Jerusalem. It would be in Babylonian hands within months. The field might have been in his family for centuries, inherited from their Levitical ancestors. Jeremiah's redemption prevented it from being lost permanently. Centuries later, when Christ redeemed humanity, He too prevented our permanent loss, buying back what seemed irretrievably forfeited through sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the law of kinsman redemption illustrate Christ's work in redeeming His people?
- What does Jeremiah's obedience to redemption law teach us about honoring God's commands even in difficult circumstances?
- In what ways does this transaction demonstrate that God's promises about the future should shape our decisions in the present?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God specifies the exact transaction: Hanamel will offer his field in Anathoth, and Jeremiah has 'the right of redemption' to purchase it. This refers to the Levitical law of kinsman redemption (Leviticus 25:25-28; Ruth 4:1-6), which required the nearest relative to buy back family land to keep it in the family. Anathoth was in Benjamin's territory, assigned to the Levitical priests (Joshua 21:18), and Jeremiah was from a priestly family. His purchase would prevent the field from passing to strangers.
The redemption law beautifully illustrates the gospel. When humanity lost our inheritance through sin, we needed a kinsman-redeemer willing and able to buy us back. Christ became truly human (our kinsman) to redeem us. Boaz redeeming Ruth's land and taking her as wife pictures Christ redeeming His bride, the church. Jeremiah's act of redemption, maintaining his family's inheritance, points to Christ maintaining God's people as His inheritance.
This transaction also demonstrates faith in God's promises. Though Babylon would conquer the land, God promised eventual restoration. Jeremiah's purchase was an acted parable declaring, 'This land belongs to God's people; we will return; these fields will again produce crops for Hebrew farmers.' Faith doesn't deny present difficulty but trusts future promises more than current circumstances.