Jeremiah 32:8
So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
son
H1121
בֶּן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 34
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דֹּדִ֜י
mine uncle's
H1730
דֹּדִ֜י
mine uncle's
Strong's:
H1730
Word #:
5 of 34
(figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
דְבַר
according to the word
H1697
דְבַר
according to the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 34
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 34
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חֲצַ֣ר
to me in the court
H2691
חֲצַ֣ר
to me in the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
9 of 34
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַמַּטָּרָה֒
of the prison
H4307
הַמַּטָּרָה֒
of the prison
Strong's:
H4307
Word #:
10 of 34
a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)
קְנֵה
is thine buy
H7069
קְנֵה
is thine buy
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
13 of 34
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
נָ֠א
H4994
נָ֠א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
14 of 34
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּעֲנָת֜וֹת
I pray thee that is in Anathoth
H6068
בַּעֲנָת֜וֹת
I pray thee that is in Anathoth
Strong's:
H6068
Word #:
18 of 34
anathoth, the name of two israelites, also of a place in pal
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
which is in the country
H776
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
which is in the country
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
20 of 34
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בִּנְיָמִ֗ין
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֗ין
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
21 of 34
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 34
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִשְׁפַּ֧ט
for the right
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֧ט
for the right
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
24 of 34
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
הַיְרֻשָּׁ֛ה
of inheritance
H3425
הַיְרֻשָּׁ֛ה
of inheritance
Strong's:
H3425
Word #:
25 of 34
something occupied; a conquest; also a patrimony
הַגְּאֻלָּ֖ה
is thine and the redemption
H1353
הַגְּאֻלָּ֖ה
is thine and the redemption
Strong's:
H1353
Word #:
27 of 34
redemption (including the right and the object); by implication, relationship
קְנֵה
is thine buy
H7069
קְנֵה
is thine buy
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
28 of 34
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
וָאֵדַ֕ע
it for thyself Then I knew
H3045
וָאֵדַ֕ע
it for thyself Then I knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
30 of 34
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
31 of 34
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דְבַר
according to the word
H1697
דְבַר
according to the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
32 of 34
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:7Behold, 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.Jeremiah 32:2For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.Jeremiah 33:1Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,1 Kings 22:25And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
Historical Context
The court of the prison (likely the guardhouse) allowed Jeremiah limited freedom and visitors while preventing his escape or continued public prophesying. Though confined, he could still conduct business transactions like this land purchase. God's purposes are not thwarted by human attempts to silence His messengers. Truth may be imprisoned, but it cannot be killed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fulfillment of God's predictions strengthen our faith and willingness to obey even difficult commands?
- What does it mean that Jeremiah was imprisoned yet still able to fulfill God's purposes—how does this encourage us when circumstances restrict our freedom?
- How should the Bible's track record of fulfilled prophecy affect our confidence in its promises that have not yet been fulfilled?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When Hanamel arrives exactly as God predicted, Jeremiah recognizes this as confirmation: 'Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.' God's word proved reliable; the prophecy was fulfilled precisely. This confirmation strengthened Jeremiah's faith to proceed with the seemingly foolish purchase. The phrase 'in the court of the prison' reminds us that Jeremiah was confined for his faithfulness—yet even imprisonment couldn't prevent God's purposes from being fulfilled.
This pattern—God speaks, events unfold as predicted, faith is confirmed—recurs throughout Scripture. When God told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved 400 years then delivered (Genesis 15:13-14), Abraham believed God. When it happened exactly as predicted, Israel's faith was confirmed. When Jesus predicted His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31), the disciples struggled to believe. When it happened as He said, their faith was established (John 20:8).
The confirmatory nature of fulfilled prophecy is crucial to Christian faith. We believe the Bible is God's word partly because its predictions have proven reliable. Prophecies about Christ's first coming were fulfilled in detail. This gives confidence that prophecies about His second coming will likewise be fulfilled. Our faith is not blind leap into the unknown but trust in the God who has proven faithful to His word throughout history.