Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,

JEREMIAH 32:16KJV
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Jeremiah 32:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 32:16 mean?

Jeremiah 32:16 describes the prophet Jeremiah praying to the LORD after he has given the documents of a land purchase to Baruch, the son of Neriah. This verse marks the moment when Jeremiah turns to God in prayer, right after completing a significant legal act in front of witnesses.

In this setting, Jeremiah is in Jerusalem during a time of siege, and God has instructed him to buy a field as a sign of hope for Israel’s future. Baruch is Jeremiah’s scribe, entrusted with the legal paperwork. The verse highlights Jeremiah’s immediate response—turning to God—after fulfilling what seemed like a strange command, showing his dependence on God for understanding and guidance in a confusing situation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 32:16

  • "Evidence" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means "document" or "scroll." In this context, it refers to the legal paperwork proving the purchase of the land, emphasizing the formal and public nature of Jeremiah’s action.
  • "Purchase" (מִקְנָה, miqnah): This word means "purchase" or "acquisition." It clarifies that Jeremiah’s action was a real, legal transaction, not just a symbolic gesture.
  • "Prayed" (פָּלַל, palal): This word means "to pray" or "to intercede." It shows that Jeremiah’s response to God’s command is not just obedience, but also seeking understanding and help through prayer.

Why Jeremiah 32:16 matters

  • Jeremiah 32:16 shows that Jeremiah did not just act mechanically on God’s command; he immediately sought God in prayer, highlighting his personal relationship with God even in confusing times.
  • The verse connects the legal act of buying land to Jeremiah’s spiritual life, showing that faith and everyday actions are closely linked in the biblical story.
  • This verse sets up the prayer that follows, which reveals Jeremiah’s honest wrestling with God’s promises and the difficult circumstances facing Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“Neriah” Hebrew H5374 · used in 10 verses

  • Jeremiah 32:12 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.
  • Jeremiah 36:14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
  • Jeremiah 43:6 Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

“purchase” Hebrew H4736 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • Genesis 23:18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
  • Leviticus 27:22 And if a man sanctify unto the LORD a field which he hath bought, which is not of the fields of his possession;

“Baruch” Hebrew H1263 · used in 24 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  • Jeremiah 36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.
  • Jeremiah 36:19 Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

“prayed” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 1 Kings 13:6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.
  • Job 42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.