Jeremiah 32:31

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 32:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For this city hath been to me a provocation of mine anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For this city hath been to me a provocation of mine anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
Jeremiah 32:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31For this city hath been to me a provocation of mine anger and of my wrath from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For this city hath been tame [as] a provocation of mine anger and of my fury, etc.] Or, “upon mine anger, and upon my fury this city was to me”f634; that is, it was upon his heart, and in his mind and purpose, being provoked to anger and wrath by their sins, to have destroyed it long ago, though he had deferred it to this time; the inhabitants of this city had been always a provoking people to him; and he had thought to have poured out his wrath and fury upon them: from the day they built it, even unto this day: when built and inhabited by the idolatrous Canaanites; possessed by the Jebusites; rebuilt by David; beautified with the temple and other stately buildings by Solomon, who was drawn…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“provocation of mine anger--literally, "for mine anger." CALVIN, therefore, connects those words with those at the end of the verse, "this city has been to me an object for mine anger (namely, by reason of the provocations mentioned, Jer 32:30, &c.), that I should remove it," &c. Thus, there will not be the repetition of the sentiment, Jer 32:30, as in English Version; the Hebrew also favors this rendering. However, Jeremiah delights in repetitions. In English Version the words, "that I should remove it," &c., stand independently, as the result of what precedes. The time is ripe for taking vengeance on them (Kg2 23:27). from the day that they built it--Solomon completed the building of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The answer is divided into two parts; (a) Jeremiah 32:26-35, the sins of Judah are shown to be the cause of her punishment: (b) Jeremiah 32:36-44, this punishment was not for Judah’s destruction, but for her amendment. Jeremiah 32:28 I will give - Or, I am giving. Jeremiah 32:30 From their youth - God’s mighty deeds for Israel began in Egypt Jeremiah 32:20, and so did Israel’s sin. Jeremiah 32:34, Jeremiah 32:35 These verses are repeated from Jeremiah 7:30-31, but with two important variations. Baal is put for Tophet, and to Molech instead of in the fire. Molech the king and Baal the lord are different names of the sun-god, but in altered relations. Molech is the sun as the mighty fire,…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“32:31 The time this city was built refers to the reigns of David and Solomon, when Jerusalem became the capital city of Israel. During the history of the northern kingdom of Israel, every king promoted worship of false gods. In the kingdom of Judah, only a few kings encouraged worship of the Lord, usually without lasting success (e.g., 2 Chr 14:3; 17:6; 29:5; 33:15-16; 34:3, 31-32). The northern kingdom had already been destroyed (2 Kgs 17:5-12), and now the Lord had decided to get rid of the southern kingdom of Judah (see Deut 8:19-20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“this city: Jer 5:9-11, Jer 6:6, Jer 6:7, Jer 23:14, Jer 23:15; Kg1 11:7, Kg1 11:8; Kg2 21:4-7, Kg2 21:16, Kg2 22:16, Kg2 22:17; Kg2 23:15; Ezek. 22:2-22; Mat 23:37; Luk 13:33, Luk 13:34 a provocation of mine anger: Heb. for my anger that I: Jer 27:10; Kg2 23:27, Kg2 24:3, Kg2 24:4; Lam 1:8 Jeremiah 32:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification