The transaction to purchase the field is spelled out clearly by Jeremiah. The price, seventeen shekels of silver, is carefully weighed out and Jeremiah signs the title deed, all in front of witnesses. He then publicly hands the singed deeds to Baruch and instructs him to put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time.
This process is done carefully and publicly, not just because it is a formal purchase of property, but more importantly because it is a prophetic act that the Lord has instructed Jeremiah to do.1 The significance of this act for the Lord’s people will soon be made clear.
This is the first time that Baruch is mentioned in the book, but he has been helping Jeremiah since about 605 BC.2 His importance in Jeremiah’s ministry will become clearer in the rest of the book.
9 “And I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver.