Jeremiah 32 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Jeremiah 32)

Verse 5

[5] And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

Until I visit him — Perhaps in mercy; it is certain Zedekiah was not put to death, only carried to Babylon, where some think he afterward found favour with the king of Babylon.

Verse 9

[9] 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.

The money — The price of land was strangely fallen at this time, when the enemy was besieging the chief city of the country.

Verse 11

[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

I took — It is probable, that upon such sales among the Jews, two instruments were made, the one sealed up, to be kept by the purchaser, the other open, to be shewed to the judges, and by them ratified.

Verse 12

[12] 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.

Baruch — This Baruch (chap. 46:4,26,) was a scribe, and an attendant upon Jeremiah.

Witnesses — He made this purchase with all the usual formalities; he signed and sealed it before witnesses, and delivered it to Baruch to keep, in the presence of all the Jews.

Verse 20

[20] Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

Who hast set signs — Who didst wonders of justice in the land of Egypt, such as are remembered even to this day.

Verse 24

[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

The mounts — Rather engines of war with which those nations used to batter walls, or to shoot great stones into places besieged.

Verse 34

[34] But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

Have set — Their idols.

Verse 39

[39] And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

One heart — I will give them union and concord, one mind and judgment.

One way — They shall all worship me according, to the rule I have given them.

Verse 40

[40] And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

I will make — This promise manifestly relates to those Jews that should receive the Lord Jesus Christ, unless it be to be understood of a national conversion of the Jews, not yet effected.