Jeremiah 32

1 This is the word [message, declaration] that came to Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed] from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] in the tenth year of Zedekiah [Jehovah is righteous] king of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah], which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar [a powerful king of Babylon]. word study 2 At that time [then, in a past era] the army [forces, host] of the king [ruler, monarch] of Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion] was besieging [surrounding, laying siege against] Jerusalem [the city of peace], and Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed] the prophet [one who speaks for God] was imprisoned [shut up, confined] in the courtyard [court, village] of the guard [guardhouse, prison], which was in the palace [house, dwelling place] of the king [ruler, monarch] of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah]. word study 3 For Zedekiah [the last king of Judah] king of Judah had imprisoned [confined, shut up] him, saying: “Why [for what reason] are you prophesying [speaking under divine inspiration] like this? You claim that the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] says, ‘Behold [look, see], I am about to deliver [give, hand over] this city [the capital of Judah] into the hand [power, control] of the king [ruler, sovereign] of Babylon [a city of confusion], and he will capture [seize, take] it [the city, its inhabitants]. word study 4 Zedekiah [the king of Judah, Jehovah is righteous] king of Judah will not escape [or be delivered] from the hands [power, control] of the Chaldeans [inhabitants of Chaldea, a region in Mesopotamia], but he will surely be delivered [given, put] into the hand [power, authority] of the king of Babylon [a city and empire, meaning confusion or mixing], and will speak [communicate, converse] with him face to face [mouth to mouth, personally] and see [behold, look upon] him eye to eye [with direct gaze, intimately]. word study 5 He will take Zedekiah [the last king of Judah, meaning Jehovah is righteous] to Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel], where he will stay [remain, dwell] until I attend to him [visit, oversee, reckon with], declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. If you fight [engage in battle, struggle] against the Chaldeans [inhabitants of Chaldea, known for wisdom], you will not succeed [prosper, rush forward].’” word study 6 Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed] replied, “The word [message from God, divine communication] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] came to me, saying [to speak, to command, to proclaim]: word study 7 Behold [look, take notice]! Hanamel [God is gracious], the son [descendant, relative] of your uncle [beloved, close relative] Shallum, is coming [approaching, drawing near] to you to say [speak, declare], ‘Buy for yourself my field [land, property] in Anathoth [answers to prayer], for you have the right [privilege, authority] of redemption [the act of buying back, restoring] to buy [purchase, acquire] it.’ word study 8 Then, as the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] had said, my cousin [beloved, close relative] Hanamel came to me in the courtyard [court, enclosed space] of the guard [guardhouse, prison] and urged me, ‘Please [I pray thee, with politeness] buy my field [land, property] in Anathoth [answers to prayer, a city near Jerusalem] in the land [earth, territory] of Benjamin [son of the right hand, a tribe of Israel], for you own the right [justice, inheritance] of inheritance [possession, legacy] and redemption [the right to buy back, restore]. Buy it for yourself [acquire, take possession].’” Then I knew [ascertained, understood] that this was the word [message, declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah]. word study 9 So I bought [acquired as my own, redeemed] the field [land, property] in Anathoth [answers to prayer, a city near Jerusalem] from my cousin [beloved, close relative] Hanamel, and I weighed out [measured carefully, paid] seventeen [seven and ten] shekels [units of weight or money] of silver [money, payment, wealth]. word study 10 I signed [wrote in a book, subscribed] and sealed [closed and locked, authenticated] the deed [contract, written agreement], called in [took, gathered] witnesses [those who testify, give evidence], and weighed out [measured, paid] the silver [money, payment] on the scales [balances, weighing device]. word study 11 Then I took [received, acquired] the deed of purchase [document of acquisition, contract]—the sealed [officially closed, authenticated] copy [record, scroll] with its terms [agreements, stipulations] and conditions [regulations, requirements], as well as the open [unsealed, public] copy [document, writing]— word study 12 and I gave [handed over, delivered] this deed [written document, scroll] to Baruch [blessed] son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight [presence, before the eyes] of my cousin [beloved, uncle’s son] Hanamel and the witnesses [those who testify, give evidence] who were signing [writing, subscribing] the purchase agreement [deed of sale, contract] and all [every, the entire group] the Jews [people of Judah, Israelites] sitting [dwelling, residing] in the courtyard [court, open space] of the guard [prison, guardhouse]. word study 13 In their sight [before their eyes, in their presence] I instructed [commanded, gave orders to, charged] Baruch [the blessed one, Jeremiah’s friend and scribe], word study 14 “This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things], the God [Elohim, the one supreme God] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants], says: Take these deeds [evidences, writings, this purchase-book]—both the sealed [closed, locked, with a marked stamp] copy and the open [revealed, uncovered] copy of the deed of purchase [this business, the acquisition of property]—and put them in a clay [earthenware, pottery] jar to preserve them for a long [many] time [days, a period of time]. word study 15 For this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [army, a large group of people or things], the God [Elohim, the one supreme God] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants], says: Houses [dwelling places, including family homes], fields [flat areas of land used for cultivation], and vineyards [gardens or plots of land used for growing vines] will again [still, continuing or happening again] be bought [acquired, redeemed] in this [specific] land [the soil or ground, a country, territory, or region].” word study 16 After [following, subsequent to] I had given [delivered, transferred] the deed [scroll, written document] of purchase [acquisition, buying] to Baruch [blessed] son of Neriah, I prayed [to intercede, to ask] to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]: word study 17 “Oh [alas, a cry of sorrow and reverence], Lord [Adonay, a title of respect and worship] GOD [Yehovah]! You have made [created, formed, and established] the heavens [the visible sky and the spiritual realm] and the earth [the land, the material world] by Your great [mighty, powerful, and majestic] power [strength, ability, and might] and outstretched [stretched out, extended, and revealed] arm [the arm as stretched out; strength, might, power]. Nothing [no thing, no circumstance, and no challenge] is too difficult [too hard, too wonderful, or too amazing] for You [to accomplish, to achieve, and to fulfill]! word study 18 You show loving devotion [kindness, mercy, pity] to thousands [a large number, a multitude] but lay the iniquity [moral evil, sin] of the fathers [ancestors, forefathers] into the laps [bosom, chest area] of their children [sons, descendants] after them, O great [mighty, powerful] and mighty [strong, powerful] God [the supreme Being, Elohim] whose name [identity, character] is the LORD [Yehovah] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], word study 19 the One [supremely wise, great in wisdom] great in counsel [wise plans, advice] and mighty [powerful, strong] in deed [action, work], whose eyes [watchful, observant] are on [aware of, attentive to] all the ways [paths, journeys] of the sons [descendants, people] of men [humanity, Adam], to reward [give, repay] each one according to his ways [actions, behavior] and according to the fruit [results, consequences] of his deeds [actions, works]. word study 20 You performed [carried out, done] signs [miraculous tokens, wonders] and wonders [miracles, special displays of God’s power] in the land [soil, ground, country] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa], and You do so [continue to perform, still do] to this very day [as far as, until this point], both in Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, his descendants] and among all mankind [other men, people everywhere]. And You have made [established, gained] a name [reputation, identity] for Yourself [Your own honor, character], as is the case [appears, is evident] to this day [at this point in time]. word study 21 You brought Your people [nation, descendants] Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob] out of the land [earth, territory] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa] with signs [miraculous tokens, wonders] and wonders [special displays of God’s power], with a strong [powerful, severe] hand and an outstretched [stretched out, extended] arm, and with great [intense, awesome] terror [fear, awe]. word study 22 You gave them this land [which You had promised to their ancestors] that You had sworn [made a solemn oath, vowed] to give their fathers [ancestors, forefathers], a land [territory, region] flowing [abundant, overflowing] with milk and honey [a sweet and valuable food]. word study 23 They came in [and took possession, conquered] and possessed it, but they did not obey [listen to, heed] Your voice [sound, utterance] or walk [follow, live according to] in Your law [instruction, commandments]. They failed [did not accomplish, neglected] to perform [carry out, fulfill] all that You commanded [gave orders, instructed] them to do, and so You have brought [caused to come, inflicted] upon them all this disaster [evil, calamity, trouble]. word study 24 See how [behold, look!] the siege ramps [military mounds, banks] are mounted against the city [a place with walls, a watchman] to capture [seize, take control of] it. And by [because of, due to] sword [a cutting instrument, a tool for battle] and famine [hunger, a lack of food] and plague [pestilence, a disease], the city has been given [handed over, surrendered] into the hands [power, control] of the Chaldeans [inhabitants of Chaldea, a region in Mesopotamia] who are fighting [waging war, battling] against it. What You have spoken [communicated, promised] has happened [come to pass, occurred], as You now see [look, behold, are witnessing]! word study 25 Yet You, O Lord GOD [Adonay, the sovereign Master], have said to me, ‘Buy for yourself the field [a plot of land, a possession] with silver [money, wealth] and call in witnesses [have them testify, affirm], even though the city [a fortified town, a place of refuge] has been delivered [given, surrendered] into the hands [power, control] of the Chaldeans [the Babylonians, a powerful nation]!’” word study 26 Then the word [message, declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah] came [was given, existed] to Jeremiah [whom God has appointed]: word study 27 “Behold [look, see], I am the LORD [Yehovah, the God of Israel], the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of all [every, everything] flesh [humanity, living creatures]. Is anything [thing, matter] too difficult [hard, wonderful] for Me [to do, to accomplish]? word study 28 Therefore [thus, in this manner] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: Behold [look, take notice], I am about to deliver [give, hand over] this city [a place with a wall or a watchman] into the hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share] of the Chaldeans [inhabitants of a region in Mesopotamia] and of Nebuchadnezzar [a powerful king of Babylon] king of Babylon [a city and empire meaning confusion or mixing], who will capture [seize, take control of] it. word study 29 And the Chaldeans [fighting warriors of Babylon] who are fighting [waging war, battling] against this city will come in, set it on fire [kindle a flame, ignite], and burn it, along with the houses [dwellings, homes] of those who provoked [angered, offended] Me to anger [wrath, indignation] by burning [offering, sacrificing] incense to Baal [a false god, idol] on their rooftops [upper rooms, high places] and by pouring out [offering, libating] drink offerings [sacrificial liquids, worshipful pours] to other [foreign, pagan] gods. word study 30 For the children [descendants, sons] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants] and of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob] have done nothing but evil [bad, morally wrong] in My sight [before Me, in My presence] from their youth [the state of being young, early years]; indeed, they have done nothing but provoke [anger, irritate] Me to anger [wrath, intense displeasure] by the work [deeds, actions] of their hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share], declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 31 For [as a result of, because of] this city [Jerusalem, the capital] has aroused [provoked, stirred up] My wrath [intense anger, fierce indignation] and fury [rage, burning passion] from the day [the time, the period] it was built [constructed, established] until now [this present time, today]. Therefore [for this reason, consequently] I will remove [take away, eliminate] it from My presence [My face, My sight] word study 32 because of all [every, the entirety of] the evil [bad, wicked, or morally wrong] the children [sons, descendants] of Israel and of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah] have done [committed, performed] to provoke [anger, irritate, or offend] Me to anger [wrath, indignation]—they, their kings [rulers, monarchs], their officials [princes, leaders], their priests [spiritual leaders, mediators] and prophets [messengers, spokesmen], the men [people, inhabitants] of Judah, and the residents [inhabitants, dwellers] of Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital]. word study 33 They have turned [the neck] their backs to Me [toward my presence] and not their faces [toward my presence, in obedience]. Though I taught [instructed, guided] them again and again [rising early, with persistence], they would not listen [hear, obey] or respond [receive, accept] to discipline [correction, instruction, God’s guidance]. word study 34 They have placed [set up, established] their abominations [detestable idols, disgusting images] in the house [temple, dwelling place] that bears [is called by, named after] My Name [My identity, reputation], and so have defiled [made unclean, polluted] it [the temple, My dwelling place]. word study 35 They have built [established, constructed] the high places [cultic platforms, shrines] of Baal [the Phoenician deity, a false god] in the Valley [lowland, gorge] of Hinnom [the valley of lamentation] to make their sons [descendants, children] and daughters [female children, women] pass through [be given over to, sacrificed in] the fire to Molech [the Ammonite deity, a false god]—something I never [at no time, not ever] commanded them [gave them orders, instructed them], nor had it ever [not once, never] entered My mind [come into My thoughts, occurred to Me], that they should commit [do, perpetrate] such an abomination [a disgusting, idolatrous act] and cause Judah [the tribe, the people] to sin [miss the mark, go wrong]. word study 36 Now [at this time] therefore, about this city [of Jerusalem, this town] of which you say, ‘It will be delivered [given, handed over] into the hand [power, control] of the king [ruler, sovereign] of Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel] by sword [war, cutting instrument] and famine [hunger, lack of food] and plague [pestilence, disease],’ this is what the LORD [Yehovah], the God [Elohim, supreme Creator] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, God’s chosen people], says: word study 37 I will surely gather [collect, assemble] My people from all [every] the lands [countries, territories] to which I have banished [driven away, expelled] them in My furious [intense, passionate] anger [indignation, wrath] and great [intense, profound] wrath [rage, fury], and I will return [bring back, restore] them to this [specific] place [location, region] and make them dwell [reside, live] in safety [security, protection, refuge]. word study 38 They [will become, shall be] will be My people [a nation, a community], and I [the supreme God, Elohim] will be their God [the one supreme God, Elohim, their Lord and Savior]. word study 39 I will give [bestow, grant] them one [united, single] heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] and one [unified, undivided] way [road, path, manner of life], so that they will always [continually, throughout all days] fear [revere, stand in awe of] Me for their own [personal, individual] good [welfare, well-being] and for the good [benefit, prosperity] of their children [descendants, offspring] after [following, succeeding] them. word study 40 I will make an everlasting [age-during, forever] covenant [agreement, promise] with them: I will never [not] turn away [stop, cease] from doing good [being pleasing, joyful] to them, and I will put My fear [reverence, respect] in their hearts [innermost being, mind], so that they will never [not] turn away [depart, remove] from Me. word study 41 Yes, I will rejoice [with joyful delight] in doing them good, and I will faithfully [with my whole heart, in truth] plant them in this land [the promised territory] with all My heart [my inner being, my will] and with all My soul [my entire essence, my living being]. word study 42 For [because of this reason, as a result] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of covenant] says: Just as [in the same manner, similarly] I have brought [caused to come, inflicted] all this great [extensive, severe] disaster [evil, calamity] on this people, so [in the same way, accordingly] I will bring [cause to come, bestow] on them all the good [benefit, welfare, pleasant things] I have promised [spoken, declared] them. word study 43 And fields [trading in fields, land] will be bought [acquired, redeemed] in this land [country, territory] about which you [as individuals] are saying [speaking, declaring], ‘It is a desolation [waste, devastation], without man [human being, Adam] or beast [animal, livestock]; it has been delivered [given, handed over] into the hands [power, control] of the Chaldeans [Babylonians, inhabitants of Chaldea].’ word study 44 Fields [or lands, areas of cultivation] will be purchased with silver [or money, payment], and deeds will be signed [and subscribed, written in a book], sealed [and closed, locked], and witnessed [with testimony, affirmation] in the land [or earth, territory] of Benjamin [son of the right hand, a tribe of Israel], in the areas surrounding [or around, near] Jerusalem [the city of peace], and in the cities [or towns, inhabited places] of Judah [praise, a region of Israel]—the cities [or towns] of the hill country [or mountains, high places], the foothills [or lowlands, Shephelah], and the Negev [or south, southern district]—because [or for, since] I will restore [or return, turn back] them from captivity [or being held prisoner, exile], declares [or says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God].” word study