Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the text mentions "uncle," it's important to realize that ancient kinship terms were broader than ours, so Hanameel, while called an "uncle," was actually Jeremiah's first cousin. This subtle distinction highlights how family relationships were understood differently, and also underscores the legal right of a close relative, like Jeremiah, to redeem ancestral property.
Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is in prison, facing the bleak reality of Jerusalem's impending destruction by the Babylonians. Despite this dire situation and God's clear message of judgment, God commands Jeremiah to perform a symbolic act of faith: purchasing a field from his cousin, Hanamel, who has the legal right to redeem it. This seemingly illogical purchase is meant to foreshadow a future restoration and reaffirm God's ultimate promises to His people, even amidst their deepest despair.
Jeremiah is told to buy a field, but it's not just any transaction. There's an ancient law at play, giving him a special right.
This verse introduces the concept of the 'kinsman-redeemer,' a vital part of Israelite law, particularly as detailed in Leviticus 25.
What is a Kinsman-Redeemer?
This wasn't just a business deal; it was an act rooted in a deep sense of familial responsibility and faithfulness to God's covenant with Israel.
Jeremiah is living in a dark time, with Jerusalem under siege and destruction imminent. Why would anyone buy land now?
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This seemingly mundane transaction is actually a profound act of faith. Jeremiah is commanded by God to buy this field at a time when all hope seems lost.
A Symbol of Future Restoration
Jeremiah's obedience in this moment is a powerful testament to trusting God's Word even when circumstances scream the opposite.
Understand the original words
geullah · Hebrew Noun
A legal and religious obligation within Israelite society where a near kinsman was responsible for redeeming the land or persons of a relative to keep property within the clan or family line.
The purchase of the field at Anathoth, a Levitical city, during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian forces, powerfully illustrates God's promise of future restoration. It demonstrates that even amidst utter devastation and exile, God's word and his plan for His people's return and re-possession of the land remain certain.
Late 8th century BC
Destruction of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event set a precedent for future exiles and created a sense of impending doom for the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captured Jerusalem and deported a portion of the population, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deported more Judeans to Babylon, including the prophet Ezekiel. The Babylonian exile intensified, and the situation for those left in Jerusalem grew more desperate.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar razed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, and the majority of the remaining population was exiled to Babylon. This catastrophic event was the lowest point for Judah, signifying the loss of their homeland and national identity.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah's Purchase of the Field
During the siege of Jerusalem, as the city was on the brink of destruction and surrounded by Babylonian forces, Jeremiah was instructed by God to purchase a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel. This act symbolized a future restoration of property and life in the land, despite the immediate devastation.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon. Cyrus issued an edict allowing the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Jewish exiles, having returned to Jerusalem, completed the construction of the Second Temple. This marked a significant step in the restoration of their community and religious life.
This passage establishes the legal right of a kinsman to redeem ancestral land if it has been sold due to financial hardship, directly paralleling Hanameel's offer to Jeremiah.
Ruth 4:4This narrative highlights the kinsman-redeemer's role, showing how Boaz exercised his right to purchase land, reinforcing the concept of redemption central to Jeremiah's transaction.
Joshua 21:18Anathoth, the location of the field, is identified as a Levitical city, raising questions about land ownership that connect to the specific laws governing Levites and their property.
Isaiah 43:1-2This prophecy speaks of God's promise to protect His people through difficult times, echoing Jeremiah's act of faith in buying land amidst the certainty of impending destruction.
Acts 10:19-21The experience of Peter receiving divine guidance about Cornelius's messengers parallels Jeremiah's foreknowledge of Hanameel's arrival and the purpose of his visit, emphasizing God's direct involvement.
barnesJeremiah 32:7: "Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it."
Hanameel was strictly the first-cousin of Jeremiah. In Hebrew all the terms of relationship are used in a more loose way than with us.
clarkeJeremiah 32:7: "Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it."
The right of redemption is thine - 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…
While the text mentions "uncle," it's important to realize that ancient kinship terms were broader than ours, so Hanameel, while called an "uncle," was actually Jeremiah's first cousin. This subtle distinction highlights how family relationships were understood differently, and also underscores the legal right of a close relative, like Jeremiah, to redeem ancestral property.
Jeremiah is in prison, facing the bleak reality of Jerusalem's impending destruction by the Babylonians. Despite this dire situation and God's clear message of judgment, God commands Jeremiah to perform a symbolic act of faith: purchasing a field from his cousin, Hanamel, who has the legal right to redeem it. This seemingly illogical purchase is meant to foreshadow a future restoration and reaffirm God's ultimate promises to His people, even amidst their deepest despair.
Jeremiah is in prison, facing the bleak reality of Jerusalem's impending destruction by the Babylonians. Despite this dire situation and God's clear message of judgment, God commands Jeremiah to perform a symbolic act of faith: purchasing a field from his cousin, Hanamel, who has the legal right to redeem it. This seemingly illogical purchase is meant to foreshadow a future restoration and reaffirm God's ultimate promises to His people, even amidst their deepest despair.
"Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’" — While the text mentions "uncle," it's important to realize that ancient kinship terms were broader than ours, so Hanameel, while called an "uncle," was actually Jeremiah's first cousin. This subtle d…
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Last reviewed October 2026