Jeremias 32
Adam Clarke · Citado em PreceptAustin
Jeremias 32
Clarke - "The law had established that the estates of a family should never be alienated. If, therefore, a man through poverty was obliged to sell his patrimony, the nearest relative had a right to purchase it before all others, and even to redeem it, if it had been sold to another. This is what is called the right of goel, or kinsman, Leviticus 25:25. And in the year of jubilee the whole reverted to its ancient master Leviticus 25:13." NET Note on Jeremiah's right of redemption - Underlying this request are the laws of redemption of property spelled out in Lev 25:25–34 and illustrated in Ruth 4:3–4. Under these laws, if a property owner became impoverished and had to sell his land, the nearest male relative had the right and duty to buy it so that it would not pass out of the use of the extended family. The land, however, would not actually belong to Jeremiah because in the year of Jubilee it reverted to its original owner. All Jeremiah was actually buying was the right to use it (Lev 25:13–17). Buying the field, thus, did not make any sense (thus Jeremiah’s complaint in Jer 32:25) other than the fact that the LORD intended to use Jeremiah’s act as a symbol of a restored future in the land. (Bolding added) Charles Feinberg writes that "Throughout this chapter Jeremiah is giving his own report of events. His purchase of the field from Hanamel, his cousin, was meant to encourage the people regarding their return from captivity and to show Jeremiah’s firm faith in their future despite their desperate situation. The situation is all the more dramatic since the field Jeremiah was to buy had already been captured by the invading Babylonians. The Lord told Jeremiah in advance that his cousin Hanamel would come to him. That Hanamel did so was in accordance with the law in Lev 25:23–28 (cf. Ru 4:1–6). Family property must not pass into the hands of an outsider. The purpose of this law was to keep property in the family. For the seller this was duty; for the relative or kinsman-redeemer it was a right. Thus such a transaction is spoken of as the duty of redemption and the right of preemption. Hanamel was evidently childless. The passage reveals that the ancient laws of land tenure were still followed in Judah in spite of its apostasy. In addition to the general law for all Israel, these land-tenure laws would in Jeremiah’s time have special relevance to alienation of property belonging to priestly families—property that should not pass into nonpriestly hands. (See context in The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Buy (purchase, acquire) (07069) qanah means to get, to buy, to purchase, to acquire, to possess (Ge 25:10, 47:19). It describes buying, acquiring various things and is used of acquiring wisdom (Pr 4:5, Pr 4:7) and in this passage acquiring wise counsel. Note that another sense of qanah is to create (Pr 8:22, Creator/Possessor - Ge 14:19, 22), which results in some lexicons giving this meaning a separate entry. Vine discusses the meaning of "to create." Redemption (01353)(geullah = passive participle of ga'al) is feminine singular noun meaning redemption. The term is typically used in legal texts denoting who can redeem (Lev. 25:24, 31, 32, 48); what they can redeem (Lev. 25:26); when (Lev. 25:26, 51, 52); and for how much (Lev. 25:26, 51, 52). Redemption was a means by which property remained in families or clans and is most vividly portrayed in Ruth 4:6, 7+. Note that geullah is given a Strong's number different than (ga'al) (01350) but both Strong's definition and the respected Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament state that geullah (or ge'ulla) is a feminine passive participle of ga'al and functions as a feminine noun in the Hebrew. Don't let this technical explanation sidetrack you from the essence of the meaning of this word geullah, which expresses the action of a relative in setting free a member of his family or buying back his property. Geullah was also used in general of purchasing something for a price. A ransom-price is paid to secure the release of that which would otherwise be forfeited. Geullah - 12 v translated redemption(7), redemption right(2), redemption rights(1), right of redemption(3). - Lev 25:24, 26, 29, 31-32, 48, 51-52; Ruth 4:6-7-note; Jer 32:7-8 Jeremiah 32:8 "Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of the LORD and said to me, 'Buy my field, please, that is at Anathoth, which is in the land of Benjamin; for you have the right of possession and the redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. KJV 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. NET Now it happened just as the LORD had said! My cousin Hanamel(16 )came to me in the courtyard of the guardhouse. He said to me, 'Buy my field which is at Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. Buy it for yourself since you are entitled as my closest relative to take possession of it for yourself.' When this happened, I recognized that the LORD had indeed spoken to me. ESV Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the LORD, and said to me, 'Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. NIV Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.' "I knew that this was the word of the LORD; NLT Then, just as the LORD had said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, "Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself." Then I knew that the message I had heard was from the LORD. court: Jer 32:2 33:1 Anathoth: Jer 32:7 1Ki 2:26 1Ch 6:60 Then I: 1Sa 9:16,17 10:3-7 1Ki 22:25 Zec 11:11 Joh 4:53 Ac 10:17-28 THE PLEA FOR THE PURCHASE Then Hanamel my uncle's son came to me in the court of the guard according to the word of the LORD - God had predicted and God fulfilled His Word. He always does! Just as Jehovah had promised in Jer 32:7. When God says it, that settles it whether we believe it or not! So when Jeremiah saw that it had happened just as the LORD had predicted and he proceeds to make what looked to many like a foolish purchase. Jeremiah's action would seem as ridiculous as closing a deal on a vacation home on the Gulf Coast with a hurricane in the Gulf heading toward the home you are going to purchase. Not smart! (We closed on the title with a hurricane in the Gulf some 16 years ago [2006]...the house is still our refuge and has been a refuge for many of God's precious saints over the years! All praise to the LORD)! Buy the field - Some commentators feel that Hanamel was trying to unload his property before the Babylonians seized it but others feel they had already taken control of the land of Anathoth. Certainly the Babylonian army was in control of the area because at this very moment they were besieging Jerusalem. It is interesting that on two other occasions Jeremiah was instructed to carry out symbolic acts with prophetic import and in both of them he was commanded by Jehovah to buy something. In Jer 13:1-27 he was commanded to "Go and buy yourself a linen waistband." In Jer 19:1-15 he was commanded to "Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar." Feinberg notes that "Here was a public test of Jeremiah’s prophecies about the future blessing of the land. Hanamel was able to visit Jeremiah because the siege was not yet a tight one. His request for his cousin to buy the field seemed preposterous with the enemy at the gates of Jerusalem and exile certain. When Hanamel came, Jeremiah knew that the Lord was behind the offer. He had not doubted the Lord’s word and had its confirmation in vv.6–7. Now he realized all the meaning of the purchase in relation to the nation’s future." (See context in The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Version) Jeremiah 32:9 "I bought the field which was at Anathoth from Hanamel my uncle's son, and I weighed out the silver for him, seventeen shekels of silver. KJV And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. {seventeen...: or, seven shekels and ten pieces of silver} NET So I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel. I weighed out seven ounces of silver and gave it to him to pay for it. ESV "And I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. NIV so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels That is, about 7 ounces (about 200 grams)} of silver. NLT So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces of silver for it. weighed (KJV): Ge 23:15,16 1Ki 20:39 Es 3:9 Isa 55:2 *margins seventeen shekels of silver (KJV): or, seven shekels, and ten pieces of silver, Ge 37:28 Ho 3:2 Zec 11:12,13 THE PURCHASE CONSUMMATED NET Note on weighed out the silver - Coins were not in common use until the postexilic period. Payment in gold and silver was made by cutting off pieces of silver or gold and weighing them in a beam balance using standard weights as the measure. A shekel weighed approximately 0.4 ounce or 11.4 grams. The English equivalents are only approximations. I weighed out the silver for him - Integrity was evidenced by Jeremiah in paying for the property. Shekel - The shekel was properly and only a weight. It was used especially in weighing uncoined gold and silver: "The land is worth 400 shekels of silver...Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver-in the audience of the sons of Heth," Genesis 23:15,16 . In such cases the word shekel is often omitted in the Hebrew, as in Genesis 20:16, 37:28 , where our translators have supplied the word "pieces," but improperly, because coined money was not then known. (American Tract Society Bible Dictionary) CSB Study Bible notes that "A hoard of such ingots was found in a cooking pot beneath the floor in En-gedi from Jeremiah’s time and another in Tel Miqne-Ekron from the same period." Jeremiah 32:10 "I signed and sealed the deed, and called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. KJV And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. {subscribed...: Heb. wrote in the book} NET I signed the deed of purchase, sealed it, and had some men serve as witnesses to the purchase. I weighed out the silver for him on a scale. ESV I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. NIV I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. NLT I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him. I (KJV): Jer 32:12,44 Isa 44:5 subscribed the evidence (KJV): Heb. wrote in the book, Jos 18:9 Isa 30:8 and sealed (KJV): De 32:34 Job 14:17 Song 8:6 Da 8:26 Joh 3:33 6:27 2Co 1:22 Eph 1:13 4:30 Rev 7:2 9:4 and took (KJV): Jer 32:12,25,44 Ru 4:9-11 Isa 8:1,2 PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY PRISONER Later, speaking of the future Jeremiah 32:44 says "Men shall buy fields for money, sign and seal deeds, and call in witnesses in the land of Benjamin, in the environs of Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the Negev; for I will restore their fortunes,’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah specifically mentions Benjamin because he is a man from Anathoth of Benjamin. I signed and sealed the deed - Sealing authenticated the deed and kept it secure. Sealed (02856)(chatham/hatam) describes the act of affixing an impression to serve as a symbol to certify and/or authenticate a document. Chatham describes the action of signing a document and then placing a personal seal on it (1Ki 21:8, Jer 32:10, 44). It can describe the act of sealing something to make it secure, the most likely meaning in this present passage (cp Da 9:24, 12:4, Dt 32:34 [in sense of lock or store away with respect to goods or property], Isa 29:11, Jer 32:11, 14). It is interesting that an archaeological find in recent years is that of a seal that says "Berekyahu (Baruch is apparently a shortened form of this name) son of Neriyahu (Neriah) the scribe." (See picture of seal of Baruch or here) The full name "Baruch the son of Neraiah, the scribe" appears in Jer 36:32. The deed - This refers to a deed of purchase (see Jer 32:11-13), by which Jeremiah would redeem the land of his kin. Called in witnesses - more literal the Hebrew reads "cause witnesses to witness." “I had some witnesses serve as witness.” This recalls the great kinsman-redeemer Boaz in the book of Ruth took "ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down" to witness the transaction of the redemption of Elimelech's land (now possessed by Naomi) with a kinsman who was nearer to Elimelech than Boaz (see Ru 4:1-11+) Jeremiah 32:25 ‘And Thou hast said to me, O Lord GOD, “Buy for yourself the field with money, and call in witnesses”–although the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’” Charles Feinberg - Jeremiah’s faith sustained him in what appeared to be the inevitable loss of his money. We do not know the source of his income, nor can we speculate about the adequacy or inadequacy of the price or about the size of the field. The transaction was carried out with legal precision. This is the only account in the Bible of a purchase of this kind. Before the introduction of coinage about the sixth century B.C., payment in financial transactions was made by weighing out quantities of gold or silver. Signing, sealing, and the presence of witnesses were necessary for legalizing a transaction like the one between Hanamel and Jeremiah. Two copies of the deed were made, one for security and the other for future reference in proving that the agreed-on terms had not been tampered with. All the conditions of the sale were carefully specified. The title deeds went to the buyer. The practice of sealing deeds throws light on the metaphor of the seven-sealed scroll (Rev 5:1), which was the title deed to the world purchased by Christ. (See context in The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Version) Renald Showers explains The Need for the Sealed Scroll Deed (form Chapter 5 of his excellent book Maranatha -- Our Lord, Come!: A Definitive Study of the Rapture of the Church CLICK TO BORROW) ) Obviously an unsealed deed of purchase would be vulnerable to tampering or change by unscrupulous people who wanted to deny tenant possession to the rightful person. In light of this risk, there was always the possibility that someone would challenge the reliability of the unsealed deed and the right of tenant possession for the person named in it. It was therefore necessary to have the sealed deed of purchase as irrefutable evidence of who had the right of tenant possession. Sealing “guaranteed that the terms would not be changed.” (Norman C. Habel, Jeremiah, Lamentations in Concordia Commentary) Gaston Maspero gave an example of an enclosed document being used as evidence. Contracts stamped upon clay tablets have been found in Babylonia, enclosed in an envelope of clay, on the outside of which an exact duplicate of the contract was impressed: if in the course of time any disagreement arose, and it was suspected that the outside text had been tampered with, the envelope was broken in the presence of witnesses to see if the inside text agreed with it or not. (The Dawn of Civilization) The possibility of someone challenging the right of tenant possession would be especially strong in a situation where the kinsman-redeemer did not take actual possession of the land for a long period of time after he had paid the redemption price for it because circumstances removed him for many years to a location far from the land, and usurpers occupied and used that land during his absence. That kind of situation would require the kinsman-redeemer to open and read the sealed scroll deed as irrefutable evidence of his right of tenant possession before he took actual possession of the land. Such was the situation of Jeremiah. Although he had paid the price of redemption for his cousin’s land and thereby had gained the right of tenant possession, he could not take immediate, actual possession of the land for at least two reasons. First, Jeremiah was confined in prison when he paid the price of redemption (Jer. 32:2–3, 8–9). Second, his cousin’s land was “already under Babylonian control” (cf Jer 32:2 Jerusalem was being besieged) when Jeremiah paid for it. Because Israel had rebelled against God so persistently, its land inheritance had been turned over to foreigners (Lam. 5:2; Jer. 32:21–24, 28–36). The Jews (including Jeremiah) would be exiled to other countries, and their land would continue under enemy control for several decades; but then the Jews would be regathered to their homeland, and their land would be restored to their control (Jer. 32:15, 37, 41–44). Because he knew that actual possession of the land could not take place for many years, Jeremiah commanded that both deeds of purchase be placed in a secure place for a long time (Jer. 32:13–15). Jeremiah 32:11 "Then I took the deeds of purchase, both the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions and the open copy; KJV So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open: NET There were two copies of the deed of purchase. One was sealed and contained the order of transfer and the conditions of purchase. The other was left unsealed. ESV Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions and the open copy. NIV I took the deed of purchase-- the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy-- NLT Then I took the sealed deed and an unsealed copy of the deed, which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase, according (KJV): Lu 2:27 Ac 26:3 1Co 11:16 TWO COPIES OF THE DEED OF PURCHASE Then - An expression of time which marks what is next in a sequence of events. This word is very useful in prophetic passages in which it helps establish the order of events in that prophecy. Remember that this entire transaction is taking place in a most unusual place - the court of the guardhouse where Jeremiah was still Zedekiah's prisoner! Sealed copy...and the open copy - The deed of purchase was in duplicate (see explanations below). NET Note on sealed copy and open copy - Part of the confusion is due to the nature of this document which consisted of a single papyrus scroll, half of which was rolled up and sealed and the other half which was left “opened” or unsealed.....Aramaic documents from a slightly later period help us understand the nature of such deeds. The document consisted of a single papyrus sheet divided in half. One half contained all the particulars and was tightly rolled up, bound with strips of cloth or thread, sealed with wax upon which the parties affixed their seal, and signed by witnesses. The other copy consisted of an abstract and was left loosely rolled and unsealed (i.e., open to be consulted at will). If questions were raised about legality of the contract then the sealed copy could be unsealed and consulted. Thompson has a different explanation for sealed copy...open copy - There is some ambiguity here. It would appear that a deed of purchase was prepared which Jeremiah sealed with his personal seal in the presence of the witnesses. If the practice was that of the Jewish community at Elephantine in Egypt in the late fifth century B.C., the contract was written out on papyrus and was then folded over several times, tied, and sealed. This was the closed official copy. An unsealed copy was attached to it for consultation. A similar practice was followed in Mesopotamia, where the official contract written on clay was enclosed in a clay envelope bearing the same contract and the seal impressions of the witnesses’ cylinder seals. The same practice obtained in Palestine in the fourth century B.C. Similar “tied deeds” have been discovered in the Judean desert. (NICOT-Jeremiah) CSB Study Bible comments that there were "Four steps were involved in this real estate transaction: (1) Jeremiah recorded the transaction on a scroll, (2) sealed it, (3) called in witnesses, and (4) stored it in two copies: a sealed copy and an open copy. The sealed copy was rolled up with a seal placed on the outside as a backup copy to verify that no tampering had taken place. The open copy was a duplicate." (See context in CSB Study Bible) Jeremiah 32:12 and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of Hanamel my uncle's son and in the sight of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, before all the Jews who were sitting in the court of the guard. KJV And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison. NET I took both copies of the deed of purchase and gave them to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah. I gave them to him in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase, and all the Judeans who were housed in the courtyard of the guardhouse. ESV And I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my cousin, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard. NIV and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. NLT and I handed them to Baruch son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. I did all this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the men of Judah who were there in the courtyard of the guardhouse. Baruch (KJV): Jer 32:16 36:4,5,16-19,26 43:3-6 45:1-5 Neriah (KJV): Jer 51:59 and in (KJV): 2Co 8:21 DEED OF PURCHASE TRANSFERRED TO BARUCH and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of Hanamel my uncle's son and in the sight of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, before all the Jews who were sitting in the court of the guard. - Clearly Jeremiah and Baruch had a special relationship and Jeremiah completely trusted his friend. (see note below on Baruk) - This is the first mention in this chapter. CSB Study Bible - A number of seal impressions (known as bullae) used to seal documents on parchments or papyrus have been discovered. One says, “Berekyahu son of Neriyahu the scribe.” This seal’s origin is unknown, but the names inscribed on it fit this verse, for the divine name (Yahweh, or the “Lord”) is indicated by Yahu, which appears as a suffix to the names Baruch and Neriah. Baruch, meaning “blessed,” is the shortened form of the proper name on this seal impression. (See context in CSB Study Bible) Hanamel...witnesses...all the Jews - This appears to be a fairly big group of men who saw this unusual and "crazy" (to those who walked by sight, not by faith) transaction take place. Jeremiah 32:13 "And I commanded Baruch in their presence, saying, IMPORTANCE OF MANY WITNESSES I commanded Baruch In their presence - Who was present? Why is that so significant? Hanamel, the witnesses and all the Jews saw Jeremiah transfer the deed with specific instructions. While we can only speculate, it is certainly probable that the news of Jeremiah's foolish purchase went "viral" throughout Jerusalem much like youtube videos do in our day. Seen with eyes of faith, not sight (2Cor 5:7), Jeremiah's act was not "crazy" but was meant to be a symbol (much like a red octagon symbolizes "Stop!" even without the word) to the men and women of Jerusalem (that would soon be overrun by the Babylonians) that God was not finished with Israel! The command relates to Jeremiah's instructions given in Jer 32:14, 15. Jeremiah 32:14 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last a long time." KJV Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. NET 'The LORD God of Israel who rules over all says, "Take these documents, both the sealed copy of the deed of purchase and the unsealed copy. Put them in a clay jar so that they may be preserved for a long time to come."' ESV 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. NIV 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. NLT "This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'Take both this sealed deed and the unsealed copy, and put them into a pottery jar to preserve them for a long time.' Take (KJV): Jer 32:10-12 NOTE SCROLL & JAR LIKE THOSE FOUND IN QUMRAN CAVES SAFE KEEPING IN AN EARTHENWARE JAR Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel - Jehovah was and will always be the God of Israel, a truth which soundly trumps the tragic teaching of replacement theology or supersessionism! Jehovah Sabaoth said it and that settles it whether non-literalists believe it or not! Related Resources - Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts (of armies) - Part 1 Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts- Part 2 God of Israel - short discussion Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last a long time - Both copies were to be placed in one jar. The sealed deed verified authenticity and assured there was no tampering with the title deed. The purpose of an earthenware jar was clearly for long term preservation, like an ancient "security deposit box" in modern banks. This method proved remarkably effective in preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the caves at Qumran. Earthenware jar - This is the second earthenware jar used to carry out a symbolic action before the Jews of Jerusalem. The first jar was described in Jeremiah 19:1-15. There the jar was broken to symbolize the breaking of the people and the city of Jerusalem (Jer 19:10, 11), whereas here in Jeremiah 32 the jar symbolized that Jehovah was not finished with Israel. CSB Study Bible - The earthen storage jar that Jeremiah used was the kind the Dead Sea Scrolls were sealed in. Other such jars have been found at Elephantine, Egypt. (See context in CSB Study Bible) John MacArthur on take these deeds - Title deeds to the land, kept for security reasons in a pottery jar, would attest in a future day to one’s claim of possession. Men of Anathoth did return to Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 2:23). Also, some of the poor of the land, left by the Babylonians (ch. 39), could have included certain inhabitants of Anathoth. In a still future day, God will be able (Jer 32:17, 27) to return this land to a resurrected Jeremiah and confirm to the right people that they are the prophet/priest’s descendants. (See context in The MacArthur Bible Commentary or borrow The MacArthur Study Bible) A long time - Literally "many days" (KJV, YLT). How long? We cannot be dogmatic. One thought is 70 years, the length of the coming exile after which some exiled Jews would return to Israel. Another thought the title deed would be preserved until the Millenium, at which time a resurrected Jeremiah (cf allusion to another prophet's resurrection at the end of the age - see comments in Daniel 12:13) could make a claim. Don't scoff, because the Dead Sea scrolls were preserved over 2000 years! (See Shrine of the Book). Feinberg - The documents were stored in clay jars to insure their permanence (the Dead Sea Scrolls, written on leather, have survived in earthenware jars for over two thousand years). Usually the jars were sealed with pitch. As for Jeremiah’s transaction, it is obvious that after the Exile the deeds would be of great value to the owners. Here, then, is an instance of ancient title insurance. (See context in The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Version) Jeremiah 32:15 'For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land."' Houses (KJV): Jer 32:37,43,44 30:18 31:5,12,24 33:12,13 Am 9:14,15 Zec 3:10 JEHOVAH'S PROMISE THAT PROPERTY WOULD BE BOUGHT AGAIN For - Always be alert to this often strategic term of explanation. What is Jeremiah explaining? Thus says the LORD of hosts (Lord of the armies) - This is a prophetic promise from the "non-lying" God! Jeremiah's symbolic act of purchasing property that would be captured by the Babylonians was to serve as a picture of Jehovah's promise that property would once again be purchased in Israel. Hanamel, the official witnesses and all the Jews (unofficial witnesses) in Jer 32:12 saw the business transaction and heard this promise from Jehovah through the words of Jeremiah. One wonders how this message was received by the hearers for the majority of Jeremiah's message had been more about retribution than restoration. At this time (Jerusalem still intact) they probably did not fully grasp what they had seen and heard because (presumably) the Babylonian siege was still withdrawn. But that would soon change and within about a year they would lose their houses and lands to the Babylonians. Related Resources - Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts (of armies) - Part 1 Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts- Part 2 God of Israel - short discussion Houses...will again be bought in this land - This is another way of saying that the people of Israel will be brought back to Israel. This was partially fulfilled when the exiles returned after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The final fulfillment awaits the return of the Redeemer at the end of the time of Jacob's distress (Jer 30:7-note; cp Jer 32:37). This same promise of restoration of the land of Israel (and the people of Israel) is a theme repeated multiple times in this "letter of consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33) - Read Jer 32:37,43,44 30:18 31:5,12,24 33:12,13. Compare also Jehovah's promises in Jer 12:15), promises which will be consummated when Messiah Israel's Kinsman-Redeemer returns. Compare Jehovah's promise in Jer 24:6 = "For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not pluck them up." Were they overthrown or plucked up after their return from Babylonian exile? Absolutely. And so this speaks of a time after 70AD when the Romans destroyed the Temple and the Jews were dispersed throughout the world. CSB Study Bible - Jeremiah’s purchase of the field at Anathoth symbolized Israel’s future restoration to the land. (See context in CSB Study Bible) (I agree!) Related Resource - Kinsman-Redeemer - The Goel In Amos we see a similar promise - "Also I will restore (shub/sub; Lxx = epistrepho) the captivity of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them (Ed: This portion of the prophecy could have been fulfilled in their return from Babylon). They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit. I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again (this is a Time Phrase) be rooted out from their land which I have given them (Given to who?)," Says the LORD your God (compare your God with the related phrase God of Israel)." (Amos 9:14-15+) Comment: Do you see how this qualifying promise "they will not again be rooted out from their land" indicates this was not fully fulfilled in the return from exile Babylon but looks forward to a future fulfillment? Note that twice Jehovah ("your God') calls the land "their land!" We can either interpret that literally or figuratively but in the context there is no reason it cannot be interpreted literally unless one holds the false belief that God is finished with Israel! An example of this genre of essentially anti-Semitic replacement theology or supersessionism thinking is found in the Reformation Study Bible comment on Amos 9:15 - "The physical Promised Land is but a type of the New Israel’s life in Christ; it points forward to the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 11:13–16; 12:22–24)." Note first if one is honest and rightly divides the Word of Truth (2Ti 2:15), the prophet Amos is speaking to the "old Israel" not the so-called "New Israel!" Secondly, notice that the text in no way justifies calling "their land" a type and this type (pun intended) of "hermeneutical twisting" is not uncommon in misapplication of typology (see critique of this easy to abuse method of interpretation). In other words this "type" of reasoning reads a passage that in context can (and should) be interpreted literally and instead interprets it allegorically (which means in essence to look for a hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of the text which opens the door to the limits of one's imagination!). Jehovah, the covenant keeping God, made the promise through a literal Jewish prophet Amos to a literal land of Israel and it follows that it will be literally fulfilled. There is nothing in the text that would allow the phrase "their land" to be interpreted as the "heavenly Jerusalem." As John Walvoord says "the term the land and its related promises are frequently spiritualized as if they had no geographic implications whatever." (See The Promise Of The Land To Israel) The ESV Study Bible notes (which not infrequently allegorize OT promises specifically given to the nation of Israel) is accurate on this prophetic passage commenting that "This final blessing of the people is predicated upon their recognition of their Davidic Messiah, something that is yet to occur. See Ro 11:25–27+." Amen and amen! Compare their recognition of Messiah in Zechariah 12:10+. John
Jeremias 32
Clarke - And what a prayer! What weight of matter, sublimity of expression, profound veneration, just conception, Divine unction, powerful pleading, and strength of faith! Historical, without flatness; condensed, without obscurity; confessing the greatest of crimes against the most righteous of Beings, without despairing of his mercy, or presuming on his goodness: a confession that, in fact, acknowledges that God's justice should smite and destroy, had not his infinite goodness said, I will pardon and spare. THE MERCY FILLED GOD Who shows lovingkindness to thousands - The statement emphasizes God’s great desire to bless as opposed to the reluctant necessity to punish. It is part of the attributes of God spelled out in Ex 34:6–7 and echoes the Second Commandment... Exodus 20:6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Deuteronomy 5:10 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Lovingkindness (02617)(hesed/chesed/heced) in this context speaks of Jehovah's loyal, steadfast, unfailing love which is related to God’s loyalty and faithfulness to His covenant. Stated another way hesed is the devoted love promised within a covenant, a love that is willing to commit itself to another by making its promise a matter of solemn record. God's omnipotence is balanced by His lovingkindness (cp Jer 31:3). THE PERFECTLY JUST GOD Repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them (see Ex 32:23) - Achan's iniquity did result in death for his entire family (Joshua 7:24-26). However Ryrie notes that they family must have known something ("must have been accomplices"). Why does he say that? Because of Moses declaration that "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin." (Dt 24:16). In Ezekiel 18:20 we read that "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself." And finally even in the previous chapter Jeremiah recorded the principle that "everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge." (Jer 31:30) Criswell commenting on Dt 24:14 adds the qualifier that "Every person was accountable for his own wrongdoing, but one's children were inevitably affected by the consequences of his sin (cf. Dt 5:8-10)." Warren
Jeremias 32
Clarke has a generally more literal interpretation then most of the modern evangelical commentaries - "Verse 42. Will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised] God’s word cannot fail. The Jews have never yet received the good that God has promised. Nothing like the fulfilment of these promises took place after their return from Babylon; therefore there remaineth yet a rest for these ancient people of God; and it is under the Christian dispensation that they are to have it. Verse 44. Men shall buy fields for money] This is a reference to the symbolical purchase mentioned at the beginning of the chapter; that may be considered by them as a sure sign of their restoration, not only to the same land, but to their respective inheritances in that land. This the power of God could alone perform." Jon Courson makes a great point that "God’s promise of blessing is as sure to be fulfilled as His promise of chastening!" Non-literalists have no argument with a literal, historical interpretation of the passages that speak of God's chastening of Israel, but then they spiritualize those passages which if interpreted literally would make it very difficult to say that God is finished with the literal nation of Israel. And how can those who spiritualize the texts discount the miraculous rebirth of the nation of Israel in May, 1948? If God were truly finished with Israel in the "Church Age" then why did He resurrect the literal nation of Israel in the "Church Age"? Common sense would say He did it "because God is not finished with Israel, but has plans that are to be fulfilled in the future, plans which are described in many of the passages in Jeremiah 30-33! RECOMMENDATIONS ON JEREMIAH COMMENTARIES There are two sites that list the top 5 commentaries for books of the Bible, Best Commentaries on Jeremiah - Challies and Top 5 Commentaries on the Book of Jeremiah by Keith Mathison - Ligonier Ministries. While I do find them helpful on certain books, if one is honest in appraising their recommendations on Jeremiah (and most of their recommendations on OT prophetic books like Isaiah and the Minor Prophets), both sites seem to have a distinct bias against any commentary that interprets the prophetic passages in Jeremiah regarding the nation of Israel with a literal approach and thus I found none of the "top 5" (and even the alternates on Ligonier's site) useful in interpreting the prophetic passages in Jeremiah 30-33 (but see Lundborn below). Personally, Ryken is the most readable and has many excellent points of application which would help in preparing a sermon, but he is sorely lacking when in comes to literal interpretation of the text. Actually Temper Longman in his commentary does at least leave the door open to literal fulfillment to the literal nation of Israel declaring "This passage clearly looks forward to the restoration from the exile and more." He does not however explain the "and more!" Jeremiah, Lamentations- An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) by Huey is a well done literalistic commentary (and is not mentioned at all on either of the above sites which tends to substantiate my suspicion that there is bias against literalistic interpretation). Although the comments in the following two study Bibles are short, they are almost uniformly representative of a literal interpretation in the MacArthur Study Bible and the Holman Christian Standard Bible - Study Bible. The ESV Study Bible is literal is interpretation of some passages and more figurative in interpretation of other prophetic passages, while the Reformation Study Bible is largely non-literal in interpretation of prophetic passages related to Israel and should be used with a healthy Berean-like mindset (Acts 17:11+). Lundborn is an exception (Jeremiah The Anchor Yale Bible) at least in his comment on Jer 32:40 where he writes "It is generally agreed that this “eternal covenant” (bĕrît ôlām), cited again in Jer 50:5, is the “new covenant” (bĕrît hădāšâ) promised by Yahweh in Jer 31:31–34 (Calvin; von Rad 1965: 214–15), to be cut in the future with Israel and Judah as a replacement for the now-broken Sinai (Mosaic) covenant (Ed: Praise God for Lundborn's literal interpretation of the Scriptures!). The Sinai covenant with its blessings and curses was never guaranteed to be eternal. This covenant and the new covenant are both without conditions; thus, they really are new and are for all time." Jeremiah 32:42 "For thus says the LORD, 'Just as I brought all this great disaster on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them. KJV For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. NET "For I, the LORD, say: 'I will surely bring on these people all the good fortune that I am hereby promising them. I will be just as sure to do that as I have been in bringing all this great disaster on them. ESV "For thus says the LORD: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. NIV "This is what the LORD says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them. NLT "This is what the LORD says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them. YLT 'For thus said Jehovah: As I brought in unto this people all this great evil, so I am bringing in on them all the good that I am speaking concerning them; Like (KJV): Jer 31:28 Jos 23:14,15 Zec 8:14,15 Mt 24:35 so (KJV): Jer 33:10,11 GOD PROMISES ISRAEL GOOD This passage is similar to Jehovah's promise in Jeremiah 31 - And it will come about that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy, and to bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant," declares the LORD. (Jer 31:28+) Just as I brought all this great disaster on this people (Jer 4:6, 6:19), so I am going to bring on them all the good - This declaration underscores God's sovereignty and His everlasting love and lovingkindness (Jer 31:3) for His Chosen People Israel. God is not finished with the literal nation of Israel. In the last days He will bring on them all of this good promised in Jeremiah 32:37-44 as well as the good promised in all four chapters of the "Book of Consolation" (Jeremiah 30-33). Compare Jehovah's promise in the next chapter... Thus says the LORD, 'Yet again there shall be heard in this place, of which you say, "It is a waste, without man and without beast," that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, "Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting"; and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the LORD. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,' says the LORD. (Jeremiah 33:10-11+) Charles Dyer writes that "Just as God had been faithful to His word in bringing great disaster on Israel because of her sin (Dt 28:15-68), so He will also be faithful in providing the good He had promised them (Dt 30:1-10). Thus Jeremiah’s purchase of the field (Jer 32:1-15) was a symbolic act to show that people will buy fields for money throughout Israel, from Benjamin and Judah to the hill country to the Negev, because God will restore their fortunes (cf. Jer 30:18; 33:11, 26; Dt 30:3)." (See context in The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Jamieson - The restoration from Babylon was only a slight foretaste of the grace to be expected by Israel at last through Christ. (Ref) Jeremiah 32:43 'Fields will be bought in this land of which you say, "It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans." KJV 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. NET You and your people are saying that this land will become desolate, uninhabited by either people or animals. You are saying that it will be handed over to the Babylonians. But fields will again be bought in this land. ESV Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, 'It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.' NIV Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, 'It is a desolate waste, without men or animals, for it has been handed over to the Babylonians.' NLT Fields will again be bought and sold in this land about which you now say, 'It has been ravaged by the Babylonians, a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.' YLT and bought hath been the field in this land of which ye are saying, A desolation it is, without man and beast, it hath been given into the hand of the Chaldeans. Jer 32:36 Eze 37:11-14 Related Passages: Ezekiel 37:11-14+ Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12 “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 “Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14 “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’” FIELDS WILL BE BOUGHT IN ISRAEL Fields will be bought in this land - Observe the repeated emphasis on "land" (Jer 32:41, 43, 44) in this "Good News" section. Imagine Jeremiah's reaction to this truth! He had purchased real estate that had plucked out of his hand (cp Jer 1:10) by the Babylonians but because of the promise by God to faithfully plant them in the land of Israel (Jer 32:41), his real estate transaction will not appear foolish in the day this promise is fulfilled! As you read this section notice that there is nothing in the context that suggests the word land is allegorical or is a term that can be hijacked by spiritualizing it! Land refers to a literal land, a geographic place. This land will be given to Israel in the future, and this will occur in the next age, the Messianic Age. God will fulfill this promise to Israel! John