Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:

JEREMIAH 32:28KJV
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Jeremiah 32:28 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 32:28 mean?

Jeremiah 32:28 says that God is declaring He will hand over the city of Jerusalem to the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and their king, Nebuchadrezzar, who will capture it. This is a clear statement that Jerusalem will fall to its enemies as a result of God’s decision.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Jerusalem. The situation is dire: Jerusalem is under threat from the Babylonians, and Jeremiah is warning that the city’s defeat is not just a military event, but something God Himself is allowing. The verse makes it clear that the coming conquest is not accidental or just the result of Babylon’s power, but is happening because God has chosen to give the city into their hands.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 32:28

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in Hebrew, emphasizing that this message comes with God’s full authority and is not just Jeremiah’s opinion.
  • give (נָתַן, natan): This word means “to give” or “to hand over.” It stresses that Jerusalem’s defeat is an act of God’s will, not just the outcome of war.
  • hand (יָד, yad): The phrase “into the hand of” is a common Hebrew way of saying “under the power of.” It highlights that the Chaldeans will have complete control over Jerusalem because God allows it.
  • Chaldeans (כַּשְׂדִּים, Kasdim): This term refers specifically to the Babylonians, making it clear who the invaders are.

Why Jeremiah 32:28 matters

  • Jeremiah 32:28 makes it clear that Jerusalem’s fall is not just a political or military event, but something God is actively allowing for His own reasons.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s sovereignty, showing that even powerful empires like Babylon act only because God permits it.
  • This statement sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where Jeremiah explains why God is allowing this disaster and what hope might remain for the future.

Where else these words appear

“Nebuchadrezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“Chaldeans” Hebrew H3778 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
  • Jeremiah 32:4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
  • Jeremiah 50:1 The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.

“take” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
  • Psalms 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.