Jeremiah 32:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah buys the field from Hanameel for seventeen shekels of silver.
The Context of Jeremiah 32:9
The field purchase is completed.
What Does Jeremiah 32:9 Mean?
Jeremiah completes the purchase. The amount—seventeen shekels of silver—is a concrete historical detail. He literally 'weighs' the money, since coinage had not yet standardized; precious metal was measured by weight. The transaction is real, legal, and binding.
This act is extraordinary: Jeremiah invests his own resources in land that will soon fall under Babylonian control and be lost to him during exile. By the world's logic, he is throwing away his money. But by faith in God's word of restoration, he is planting a seed of hope in the soil he is about to lose.
Jeremiah 32:9 in the Original Language
שְׁקָלִים (shekalim), 'shekels'—units of weight and value. In ancient commerce, metal was paid by weight, not stamped coins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 32:9
What does Jeremiah 32:9 mean?
Jeremiah buys the field from Hanameel for seventeen shekels of silver.
What is the context of Jeremiah 32:9?
The field purchase is completed.