Jeremiah 32

Jeremiah in the siege of Jerusalem being imprisoned by King Zedekiah for his prophesies at God’s command buyeth a field taketh witnesses draweth a writing and sealeth it and delivereth it to kept for a token that the Jews should come from Babel into the own country verse 1,2c Jeremiah prayeth humble unto God with admiration of his majesty and works and representeth him his conflict for this thing 16 whereupon god assureth him that he will indeed first punish his people for their great sins and afterwards perform his promises and moreover cause his church to enjoy the grace of a new covenant both temporally and eternally both spiritually and corporally,26.

1. The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord [which is related in the seventh verse following] in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah this year was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

2. Now the King of Babel army besieged then Jerusalem and the prophet Jeremiah was shut up in court in custody [so below verse 8.12 and 33.1 this was the easier freer larger prison than garrison house was see Below chapter 37.15,18,20,21] which is the king of Judah’s house.

3. Zedekiah king of Judah has shut him up saying wherefore dost thou prophesy saying thus saith the Lord behold I will give this city into the hand of Babel and he shall take it.

4. And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of chaldeans [Babylonians] but he shall surely be delivered [Hebrew being delivered be delivered] into the hand of king of Babel and his mouth shall speak to his mouth [that is they shall speak with one another mouth to mouth as we use to say compare below chapter 34.3,4 and see the accomplishment chapter 39.5c and 52.9] and his eyes shall behold his eyes.

5. And he shall carry Zedekiah to Babel and he be [that is continue as above chapter 27.22]until I visit him saith the Lord [that is shew mercy on him that is he perish by the sword but die in peace and be honorable buried so chapter 34.4,5 and Genesis 21 on verse 1] thou you fight against the Chaldeans yet you shall not prosper.

6. Jeremiah then saith and the word of the Lord then came unto me saying:

7. Behold Hananeel the son of Salome their uncle will come unto thee saying buy thee my field [of the field of the Levites see numbers 35 on verse 2] that is the Anathoth for thou hast the right of redemption [see Ruth 2 on verse 20] to buy it understand with all Gods command to Jeremiah to buy that the field at that time of him as the sequel sheweth.]

8. So Hananeel mine uncles son came to me in court of the ward according to the word of the Lord and saith unto me buy my field I pray thee that is by the Anathoth which is in the land of Benjamin for thou hast the right of inheritance and thou hast the right of redemption buy it for thyself then I perceived that it was the word of the Lord [that is that was done according to the word of the Lord.]

9. Therefore I bought the field of Hananeel mine uncles and sons which is by Anathoth and I weight unto them the money[see Genesis 23 on verse 16] seventh silvers shekels [Heb have seven shekels and ten of silver of the silver shekels see Genesis 20 on verse 16.]

10. And I subscribed the letter [to wit the bond or bill of sale and purchase as followeth Heb properly I wrote in a letter that is subscribed signed it as appeareth verse 12] and sealed it and caused witness to it [to wit by subscribing or setting their hands to it as verse 12 so below verse 25.44 for which we use to say to make witnesses [when I had weighed the money in the balance.

11. And I took the letter of the purchase which was sealed and according to the command and statutes and the open letter [as verse 14 whereby some understand a copy or draught transcript of the letter of the purchase others understand it a patent of retification or public decree magistrate to the confirmation of this bargain and sale in all singular and its circumstance others understand it of a letter which tend to give notice to everyone of the bargain and sale that was made .]

12. And I gave the letter of purchase to Baruch [the scribe and minister of prophet Jeremiah see below chapter 36.4,5c.] the son of Nereja the son of Maseejah before the eyes of Hananeel mine uncles son [ this word is here inserted from verse 7,8,9 others my cousins because the Hebrew word Dod is sometimes also taken more largely even for a dear and very loving friend as appeareth from Solomon’s songs and before the eyes of the witnesses which hath subscribed to the letter of the purchases [as above verse 10] before the eyes of all the Jews that sate [or dwelt] in the court of the ward.

13. And I charged Baruch before their eyes [that is in their presence as above often.]

14. Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel take these letters this letter of purchase both the sealed letter and this open letter see on verse 11] and put them in an earthen vessel that they may abide many days [that is that they may last a long time .]

15. For thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel there shall yet[or again] houses and fields and vineyard be bought in this land [hence appeared what God intended by his strange translation at the time of Jerusalem siege to wit to assure his people that the Babylonian captivity should have an end and that they should come again into their own country and posses it see below verse 43.44]

16. Moreover after that I have delivered the letter of purchase unto Baruch the son of Nerija I paid unto the Lord saying:

17. Ah Lord behold thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thine outstretched arm [as Exodus 6.5c.] nothing is too wonderful for thee[to wit to do so below verse 27 Heb. Properly more wonderful than thou shouldest not be able to do it when thou doest promise it nothing is impossible unto thee compare Genesis 18 on verse 17 with the annotate Luke 1:37 and Matthew 17:26. This hath respect to the deliverance out of the Babylonians captivity which with men seemed to be a think impossible. Compare Ezech. 37.3.11,12, &c.]

18. Thou that shewest loving kindness unto thousands, [Compare Exod.34.7.] and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their Children, [See Psalm 79. on vers.12. to wit, of such children, that are partakers of the sins of their fathers, and do follow their foot-steps. See Exodus 20:5,6.] after them: thou great, thou mighty God, whose name is the LORD of bosts. [as above chap.31.35. See I Kings 18.on vers.15.]

19. Great in counsel, and mighty in deed: [Compare Isa.28,29.] for thine eyes [this signifieth sometimes Gods special care for his people, as I Kings 8.on vers.29. Psalm 32.on vers.8. sometimes Gods providence and reward upon all that happeneth or cometh to pass in the world; as here. Compare Proverbs 5:21 and 25.3. also 2 Chron.16. on vers.19.] upon all the wayes [see Genes.6. on vers.12.] of the children of men, to give every one according to his waies and according to the fruit of his dealings.) [see above chap.17. on ver.10.]

20. Thou that hast set tokens and wonders in the land of Egypt, unto this day, [The remembrance whereof continueth unto this day] both in Israel, and amongst (other) men; [Hebr.man; that is, men: as often] and hast made thee a name, as it is at this day.

21. And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt, by tokens, and by wonders, and by a strong hand, and by an out-strecthed arm, and by great terror. [See Exod.6.6. 2 Sam.7.23. I Chron.17.21.]

22. And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them; a land flowing with milk and honey. [See Exod.3. on vers.8.]

23. They also came in, and possessed it hereditarily, but obeyed not thy voice, neither walked i thy law; they ave done nothing of all, that thou hadst commanded them to do: [Hebr.all that thou, &c. they have not done; that is, they have done nothing of that which thou hadst commaned them. See I Kings 11. on ver.34.] Therefore thou hadst caused all this evil [of punishment] to meet them.

24. Behold the walls [Mounts, trenches, and other works raised by thy enemy, buswarks, fortresses, without the City. See 2 Sam.20. on vers.15. Some understand other warlike instruments, set up, and serving to break and batter down walls and great strong buildings, or out of and from them to annoy and hurt the enemy with all manner of offenssive weapons. Compare below chapter 33.4.] they are come unto the City to take it, and the City is given [so vers.25,36,43. That is, it is as good (as we say) as given, it shall be affuredly given: affaires stand so within the City, as that a man may palpably perceive, that thy word is true in every particular and consequently shall be performed, as followeth] into the band of the Chaldeans that fight against it; because of the sword, and the famine, and the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken, is come to pass, and behold, thou seest (it.)

25. Nevertheless thou hast said unto me, Lord LORD; Buy thee the field for money and cause witnesses to witness (it: ) whereas the City is given into the hand of the Chaldeans! [As if he had said, This is a strange and wonderful thing to mans apprehension.]

26. Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremia, saying;

27. Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; [See Genes.6. on vers.2. and Numb.16. on ver.22.] should any thing be to wonderful for me? [see above on vers.17.]

28. Therefore thus saith the LORD: Behold, I give this City into the hand of the Chaldeans, and unto the hand of Nebucadnezar the King of Babel; and he shall take it.

29. And the Chaldeans that fight against this City; shall come into it, and set this City on fire, and shall burn it, with the houses, upon whose roofs they have burnt incense unto Baal, and offered drink offerings [As above chap.7.18.] unto other Gods, to anger me. [or, to provoke me. So in the sequel.]

30. For the Children of Israel, and the children of Juda have onely done [That is, done nothing else, but &c.] that which was evil in mine eyes from their youths [see above chap.2. on vers.2.] for the children of Israel have onely provoked me to anger, by the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

31. For this City hath been unto me for mine anger, and for my fury, [That is, it hath done nothing else, but that which served to provoke mine anger and fury, that hath been all their practise, all their study. Oth. in mine anger: that is, I was angry with them, &c.] from the day that they built it, unto this day: that I should remove it from my face:

32. For all the wickedness of the children of Israel, and of the children of Juda, which they have committed to provoke me to anger: they, their Kings, their Princes, their Priests, and their Prophets, and the men [Hebr.man, as above chap 4.3.] of Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem:

33. Which have turned the neck unto me, [See above chap.2.27.] and not the face: though I taught them, being up early and teaching, [see above chap.7. on vers.13. and vers.25. and chap.25.3. and 26.5. and 29.19.] nevertheless they hearkned not, to receive disciplines [see Prov.1. on vers.2. &c.]

34. But they set their abominations [See above chap.4. on vers.1.] in the house [the Temple] which is called by my name, [as above chap.7.10.] to defile it.

35. And they built the high places of Baal, [See above chap.7.31. with tha annotate.] which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass thorow (the fire) unto Molech; [that is, to the service and honour of this Idol. See Levit. 18.on vers.21.] which I commanded them not, neither came (it ) up into mine heart, [see above chap.7.31.] that they should do this abomination, that they might cause Juda to sin.

36. And now therefore, thus saith the God of Israel, concerning, this City, whereof ye say; It is given [As above vers.24.] into the hand of the King of Babel, by the sword, and by the famine, and by the estilence.

37. Behold I will gather them [To wit, my people] out of all countries, whithe I shall have driven them in mine anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation: [Compare above chap.23.3. and 29.14. and 31.10.] and I will bring them again into this place, and will cause them to dwell safely. [Hebr. in safety, or, in confidence; that is, quietly, safely, and securely, as elsewhere often.]

38. Yea they shall be a people unto me; and I will be a God unto them. [As above chap.30.22. and 31.1.]

39. And I will give them one manner of heart, [I will so work by my spirit in the hearts of mine elect, as that they shall be knit and united to one another in love by one faith and one manner of worship] and one manner of ways, [that is, one manner of worship, or, Religion, one manner or way of faith and life. See Isa.30.21. and 35.8. above chap, 6.16. Matth.22.16. Acts 9:2. and 18.25,26. &c.] to fear me all the daies; for the good of them, [that is, for their benefit, health and salvation] together with their children after them.

40. And I will make an everlasting covemant with them, [As above chapter 31.31 &c] that I will not turn away from after them, that I may do them good; [that is, that I will never forsake them, but will continually dwell with them and follow them with my mercy and kindness see above chapter 31 on verse 33 and compare further Romans 8:30 1 Peter 1:5,9 1John 2.19,20,27and 3.9 and 5.18] and I will give my fear in their hearts that they may not depart from me.

41. And I will rejoice over them to do them good [compare Deuteronomy 30:9]and I will faithfully [Heb or with faithfulness or truth] plant them in the mind [compare above chapter 24.6 and Amos 9:15] with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

42. For thus saith the Lord like as I brought all this great evil [to wit of punishments that misery or mischief adversity] upon this people so will I bring upon them all this good that I speak concerning them [that is promise or have promised them]

43. And there shall be fields brought [Heb a field shall c. that is fields as in the next verse in this whereof ye say it is desolate so below chapter 33.10] so that there is neither man nor beast in it is given above verse 24 into the hands of Chaldeans.

44. Men shall buy [Heb they shall c as often] fields for money and subscribe letters [see above verse 10, 12] and seal them and cause witness to witness in the land of Benjamin [compare above chapter 17.26] and in the places round about Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah and the cities of the mountains in the cities of low ground and in the cities of the south for I will turn their saith Lord.