Chapter 32
Allegory of the field
Lecture 1
Hananel’s field
32:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord , in the tenth year of Zedekiah, king of Judah, which is the eighteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar.
32:2 At that time the army of the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the courtyard of the prison, which was in the house of the king of Judah.
32:3 For Zedekiah, the king of Judah, had imprisoned him, saying, why do you prophesy saying, thus says the Lord : behold, I shall give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.
32:4 And Zedekiah, the king of Judah, shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall be handed over into the hands of the king of Babylon; and the mouth of the one shall speak to the mouth of the other, and the eyes of the one shall see the eyes of the other.
32:5 And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, says the Lord ; but if you shall fight against the Chaldeans, you shall have no success.
32:6 And Jeremiah said, the word of the Lord came to me saying,
32:7 ‘Behold, Hananel, the son of Shallum, your cousin shall come to you, saying, buy my field for yourself, which is in Anathoth, for the right of inheritance is yours, because you are next of kin.’
32:8 And Hananel, the son of my uncle, came to me, according to the word of the Lord , to the vestibule of the prison, and he said to me, take possession of my field which is in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin, because the right of inheritance is yours, and you are next of kin that you should possess it. And I understood that this was the word of the Lord .
32:9 And I bought the field from Hananel, the son of my uncle, which is in Anathoth, and I weighed out silver for it: seven staters and ten silver shekels.
32:10 And I wrote it in a book, and sealed it, and called witnesses, and weighed the silver in the scale.
32:11 And I took the deed of purchase that was sealed, and the stipulations, and the ratification, and the seals, which were on the outside.
170 . Here, he consoles them with an action.
First, he indicates the time of the prophecy from the time of the king: in the tenth year of Zedekiah, king of Judah, which is the eighteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar , so that one may understand from these what things are said above: in the fourth year of Jehoiakim was the first of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 25:1).
From the siege of the city: at that time the army of the king of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem . I shall make a circle round about you, and I shall cast up a rampart against you, and I shall set up bulwarks to besiege you (Isa 29:3). And the prison of the prophet, when he speaks of the misery of the prison: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the courtyard of the prison . He has built up against me round about that I might not go out; he has made my fetters heavy (Lam 3:7).
And he gives the reason: why do you prophesy? Because he preached the capture of the city: behold, I shall give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon .
The captivity of the king: and Zedekiah, the king of Judah, shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans .
And the hardship of the wars: but if you shall fight . . . you shall have no success . Above: I shall vanquish you with an outstretched hand, and with a mighty arm, and with fury, and indignation, and great wrath. And I will strike the inhabitants of this city (Jer 21:5–6). For which reason, this chapter, historically speaking, should be joined with that one.
Second, the prophetic act is given: and Jeremiah said .
First is mentioned a purchase;
second, the interpretation of the act, at and I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch (Jer 32:12);
third, the confirmation of the interpretation, at and I prayed to the Lord (Jer 32:16).
Concerning the former, there are three points.
First is set down the invitation of the seller to buy, when he gives the word of the invitation revealed to him: behold, Hananel shall come to you . . . for the right of inheritance is yours . Lest the tribes should be mixed together, the Lord commanded that possessions should be sold to those who were of the same family (Num 36:6–9, Lev 25:23–34), which was observed particularly with regard to the possessions of the Levites.
He also speaks of the arrival of the one who invites him to buy: and Hananel, the son of my uncle, came to me, according to the word of the Lord , because one cannot go with no purpose. Has he said, and will he not do it, he has spoken and shall he not fulfill it? (Num 23:19).
Second, the purchase is described: I understood , by the prophetic spirit—otherwise it would have seemed foolish to buy a field at such a time, by which one may also note the prophet’s obedience. Above: and I am not troubled following you, my shepherd; and I have not desired the day of man, you know (Jer 17:16).
And the payment of the price is given: and I weighed out , on the scales, seven staters , that is, shekels, each one of which consisted of twenty obols of silver (Ezek 45:12), these are the same as shekels.
Third, the confirmation of the purchase is given: and I wrote it in a book, and sealed it , with the seal of the seller and of the witnesses; stipulations —when there is one who asks and another who responds, the contract is strengthened; the ratification , the approval of the sale. I have called to myself faithful witnesses (Isa 8:2).
Lecture 2
Baruch given the deed
32:12 And I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch, the son of Ner, the son of Maasiah, in the eyes of Hananel, my cousin, in the eyes of the witnesses, who were inscribed on the deed of purchase, and in the eyes of all the Jews who sat in the courtyard of the prison.
32:13 And I instructed Baruch before them, saying,
32:14 thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: take these books, the sealed deed of purchase, and this book which is open, and put them in a clay jar, that they be able to endure many days.
32:15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: houses, and fields, and vineyards shall yet be owned in this land.
171 . Here is given the interpretation of the purchase.
First, he hands over the deed: in the eyes of all the Jews who sat in the courtyard of the prison , who had come to console and to consult, because the matter pertained to everyone.
Second, their diligent care is noted: and I instructed Baruch before them, saying, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: take these books, the sealed deed of purchase, and this book which is open , that is, not sealed, so that when they send it, it may be viewed. I have been represented in the hands of the prophets (Hos 12:10).
Third, they are consigned to safekeeping: and put them in a clay jar .
Thus says the Lord . This is what Jeremiah said above, that he understood the word of the Lord. The vineyard shall give its fruit, and the earth its growth, and the heaven shall give its dew (Zech 8:12).
Lecture 3
Jeremiah’s prayer
32:16 And I prayed to the Lord after I handed the deed of purchase to Baruch, son of Neri, saying:
32:17 Alas, alas, alas! O Lord God , behold, you made the heaven and the earth in your great strength and with your outstretched arm; nor shall any word be difficult for you,
32:18 who shows mercy to thousands, and repays the iniquity of the fathers into the bosoms of their sons after them. O most mighty, great and powerful, the Lord of hosts is your name.
32:19 Great in counsel, and incomprehensible in thought, whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the children of Adam, to repay each one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
172 . Here is given the confirmation of the exposition, for, because they did not believe the words of the prophet, he sought a divine revelation concerning this, so that he may satisfy their doubt:
whence, the prophet’s prayer is given first;
second, the response of the Lord, at and the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah (Jer 32:26).
Concerning the former, there are three points.
First, he commends the divine justice;
second, he sets forth the punishment justly inflicted, at you who made signs (Jer 32:20);
third, he wonders at the reason for the former command, at and you say to me, O Lord God (Jer 32:25).
Now justice, when it is present, makes man will what is just; for this reason, two other factors are necessary for its execution, namely, knowledge and ability; whence, for the perfect execution of justice, he shows the perfection of knowledge and power.
First, of power, when he speaks about the creation of things: behold, you made . Above: I made the earth, and men, and the beasts, which are upon the face of the earth, in my great strength and with my outstretched arm, and I gave it to the one who was pleasing in my eyes (Jer 27:5). And he commends the perfection of his power: nor shall any word be difficult for you , by which you made such great things. No word shall be impossible with God (Luke 1:31).
To justice he adds its execution tempered with mercy: who shows mercy , giving a reward to the good, to thousands , that is, to a thousand generations; into the bosoms of their sons , at least for one generation, so that the mercy of the punishment might be preeminent. I am the Lord your God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those that hate me (Exod 20:5). And he breaks forth into a condemnation of power, from which power is turned into the justice of mercy: O most mighty , insofar as he upholds all things. Upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb 1:3). If strength be demanded, he is most strong (Job 9:19). Great , insofar as the multitude of creatures does not exhaust his power; indeed, he is still able to bring forth things innumerable; powerful , to do all things. For your power is at hand when you will it (Wis 12:18). Lord of hosts , with regard to governance, and particularly of the rational beings in heaven, on earth, and in hell. Is there a number to his hosts? (Job. 25:3).
Second, he shows his perfect knowledge.
First, he communicates the perfection of his knowledge: great in counsel , that is, perfect in the disposition of wisdom, and incomprehensible in human thought . Behold the great God who exceeds our knowledge (Job 36:26). O the height of the riches of the wisdom of the knowledge of God. How incomprehensible are his judgments, and inscrutable his ways (Rom 11:33).
Second, he speaks of the execution of justice: whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the children of Adam . His eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considers all their steps (Job 34:21).
Lecture 4
Disobedience in the promised land
32:20 Who made signs and wonders in the land of Egypt until this day, and in Israel, and among men, and you have made yourself a name as at this day.
32:21 And you led your people Israel from the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, and with a mighty hand, and an outstretched arm, with great fear;
32:22 and you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give to them, a land flowing with milk and honey.
32:23 And they entered and took possession of it, and they did not obey your voice, and did not walk in your law; all that you commanded them that they should do, they did not do, and all these evils have befallen them.
32:24 Behold, siege works are raised up against this city that it may be taken, and the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans, and in the hand of the king of Babylon, who battles against it, by the sword, and by famine, and by pestilence; and all that you have spoken has happened, as you yourself see.
173 . Here, he describes the punishment inflicted upon the Jews by divine justice; and in order that its justice may be shown, he makes three points.
First, he sets out the benefits of the miraculous liberation: until this day , your signs are being made complete. Or your strength for the salvation of Israel and others appears. He did wonders in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis (Ps 77:12).
Of a rich dwelling place: and you gave them this land . You shall possess their land, which I shall give you as an inheritance — a land flowing with milk, and honey (Lev 20:24).
Second, he speaks of their ingratitude: and they entered . The beloved grew fat, and kicked; he grew fat, and thick and gross; he forsook God who made him, and departed from God his savior (Deut 32:15). I have brought up children, and exalted them; but they have despised me (Isa 1:2).
Third, the infliction of punishment: and all these evils have befallen them . He shall mock at every defense, and cast up a mound and take it (Hab 1:10).
Lecture 5
Buy a field for silver
32:25 And you say to me, O Lord God : buy a field for silver, and call witnesses, when the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans?
174 . Here, he wonders at the divine command: and you say to me . . . buy a field? This is astonishing, because it is not a time for buying. Let the one who buys not be glad, and the one who sells not mourn; because wrath is upon all his people (Ezek 7:12).
Lecture 6
Punishment and salvation
32:26 And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying:
32:27 behold, I am the Lord God of all flesh. Shall any word be difficult for me?
32:28 Therefore, thus says the Lord : behold, I shall hand this city into the hands of the Chaldeans, and into the hands of the king of Babylon, and they shall take it.
32:29 And the Chaldeans shall come and make war against this city, and shall kindle it with fire, and burn it and the houses upon whose roofs they offered sacrifice to Baal, and poured out drink offerings to strange gods to provoke me.
32:30 For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have continually done evil in my eyes from their youth; the sons of Israel, who even until now provoke me with the work of their hands, says the Lord .
32:31 For this city has been for me a provocation, and an indignation from the day they built it, until this day when it shall be taken out of my sight,
32:32 because of the wickedness of the children of Israel, and the children of Judah, which they did to provoke me to anger, they and their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
32:33 And they turned their backs to me, and not their faces, when I taught them early, and instructed them, and they refused to hear, that they might accept reproof.
32:34 And they put their idols in the house, in which my name is invoked, to defile it.
32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that they might consecrate their sons and daughters to Moloch, which I did not command them, nor did it come into my heart that they should do this abominable thing, and lead Judah into sin.
32:36 And now, because of all these things, thus says the Lord , the God of Israel, to this city, concerning which you say that it shall be given over into the hands of the king of Babylon, with the sword, and with the famine, and with pestilence:
32:37 behold, I shall gather them from all the lands to which I have driven them in my fury, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I shall lead them back to this place, and shall make them to dwell confidently.
32:38 And they shall be for me a people, and I shall be for them a God.
32:39 And I shall give them one heart and one way, that they should fear me all days, and it should be well with them, and with their children after them.
32:40 And I shall make an eternal covenant with them, and I shall not cease to do them good; and I shall put my fear in their heart, that they turn not away from me.
32:41a And I shall rejoice over them, when I do them good.
175 . Here is given the Lord’s response.
First, he sets forth his power: shall any word be difficult for me? Why did Sarah your wife laugh saying, ‘Shall I, who am an old woman, truly bear a son?’ Is anything difficult for God? (Gen 18:14).
Second, he shows that the punishment was justly inflicted from such power when he predicts the punishment: therefore, thus says the Lord . Above: the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah shall be like the place Tophet, unclean (Jer 19:13).
And he subjoins their guilt when he shows their continuance in sin: for the children have continually done evil in my eyes from their youth , when they went forth from Egypt. Above: we have sinned — we and our fathers — from our youth until this day (Jer 3:25).
Also when he shows the universality of their sin: for this city has been for me a provocation, and an indignation from the day they built it . 1 Chron 11.
Because of the wickedness . From the sole of the foot to the top of the head there is no soundness in him (Isa 1:6). Above: I have set my face against this city for evil and not for good, says the Lord (Jer 21:10).
Also, when he shows the gravity of their sin with regard to their contempt for God: and they turned their backs to me , by disobedience, after the manner of those who spurn another. They have turned their shoulder and gone away; they have made their ears heavy, lest they should hear (Zech 7:11).
With regard to sacrilege in their defilement of the temple: and they put idols . Above: why is it that my beloved has done much wickedness in my house? (Jer 11:15).
And with regard to sacrilege joined to murder: and they built the high places . They have sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons (Ps 105:37).
Third, he promises mercy.
First, he touches on their desperation: and now, because of all these things, thus says the Lord , “Because with respect to all things I am powerful; as I have punished them mightily, so shall I deliver them mightily.” You say , with despair, that it shall be given over . Above: those who are for the sword, to the sword, and those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity (Jer 15:2).
Second, he gives the promise: behold, I shall gather you .
First, he promises calling them back. I shall gather . I shall surely take you from the nations, and gather you from every land, and lead you to your own land (Ezek 36:24). And he promises security to those who are called back: and I shall make them to dwell confidently . Above: in those days Judah will be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently (Jer 23:6).
Second, he promises prosperity to those who return:
first, with regard to spiritual goods;
second, with regard to temporal, at and I shall plant them in this land (Jer 32:41).
Concerning the former, there are three points.
First, he promises sanctity, that is, obedience to God: and they shall be for me a people . They shall be his people and God himself with them shall be their God (Rev 21:3).
And harmony with their neighbors: and I shall give them one heart . And the multitude of believers was of one heart, and one mind (Acts 4:32).
Second, firmness of sanctity: and I shall make an eternal covenant with them, and I shall not cease to do them good , with regard to the fruit of sanctity of which he had spoken; fear , with regard to the gift of sanctity. I shall make with you an eternal covenant, the faithful mercies of David (Isa 55:3).
Third, the acceptance of their sanctity: and I shall rejoice , that is, I shall accept their good works. The Lord shall rejoice in his works (Ps 103:31).
Lecture 7
Explanation of the allegory
32:41b And I shall plant them in this land in truth, and with all my heart, and with all my soul.
32:42 For thus says the Lord : as I brought all this great evil upon this people, so shall I bring upon them all the good which I speak to them.
32:43 And the fields shall be owned in this land, concerning which you say that it has been abandoned, because no man or beast remain in it, and it has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans.
32:44 Fields shall be bought for money, and they shall be inscribed in a book, and the seal pressed, and witnesses called in the land of Benjamin, and round about Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the fields, and in the cities which are to the south, for I shall turn their captivity says the Lord .
176 . Here, he promises temporal goods:
first, a secure dwelling in their native land: I shall plant , so that they may not easily be uprooted; in truth , without pretense; heart , with regard to thought; soul , with regard to will. Above: I shall build them up, and not pull them down; I shall plant them, and not root them up (Jer 24:6).
And he confirms this by way of a simile: for thus says the Lord : as I brought all this great evil upon this people, so shall I bring upon them all the good . He who brought evil upon you, he shall snatch you out of the hands of your enemies (Bar 4:18).
Second, he promises a free possession of property when he speaks of their full ownership: and the fields shall be owned . They shall possess it forever; they shall dwell in it from generation to generation (Isa 34:17).
Next, the freedom to make contracts: fields shall be bought for money . When the Lord turned the captivity of Zion, we became like those who are consoled (Ps 125:1).