Jeremiah 32:8

“So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came unto me, etc.] Freely and voluntarily, of his own accord; though it was determined he should, as it was predicted he would; for God’s decrees do not infringe the liberty of the will: this man came from Anathoth, very probably, to Jerusalem, to the place where the prophet was: in the court of the prison, according to the word of the Lord; which had been made known before to Jeremiah: and said unto me, buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin; it belonged to that tribe: for the right of inheritance [is] thine; the reversion of this field; it would come to him after the death of his cousin, as being next heir: and…”

“Then I knew--Not that Jeremiah previously doubted the reality of the divine communication, but, the effect following it, and the prophet's experimentally knowing it, confirmed his faith and was the seal to the vision. The Roman historian, FLORUS (2.6), records a similar instance: During the days that Rome was being besieged by Hannibal, the very ground on which he was encamped was put up for sale at Rome, and found a purchaser; implying the calm confidence of the ultimate issue entertained by the Roman people.”

“The right of inheritance is thine - Hanameel therefore had no children, and at his death the land would have been Jeremiah’s by right of birth. According to the Law Numbers 35:5, it must have been part of the suburbs of Anathoth, within less than a mile, which was all the priests and Levites might cultivate. return to 'Top of Page'”

“court: Jer 32:2, Jer 33:1 Anathoth: Jer 32:7; Kg1 2:26; Ch1 6:60 Then I: Sa1 9:16, Sa1 9:17, Sa1 10:3-7; Kg1 22:25; Zac 11:11; Joh 4:53; Act 10:17-28 that this: That it was by His appointment that I was to make this purchase; the whole of which was designed as a symbolical act, to shew the people, that although Judah and Jerusalem should be desolated, and the inhabitants carried captive to Babylon, yet there should be a restoration, when lands and possessions should be again enjoyed by their legal owners, in the same manner as formerly. During the famine that prevailed in the city, Hanameel probably wanted money to purchase bread, and his field would not be thought of much value in such…”

“What had been announced to the prophet by God took place. Hanamel came to him, and offered him his field for sale. From this Jeremiah perceived that the proposed sale was the word of the Lord, i.e., that the matter was appointed by the Lord. Jer 32:9. Jeremiah accordingly bought the field, and weighed out to Hanamel "seven shekels and ten the silver" (הכּסף is definite, as being the amount of money asked as price of purchase). But the form of expression is remarkable: "seven shekels and ten" instead of "seventeen" (שׁבעה ועשׂרת שׁקלי הכּסף). The Chaldee consequently has "seven manehs and ten shekels of silver;" and J. D. Michaelis supposes that the seven shekels which are first named, and…”