Before the people of Judah were sent into exile, the people of Anathoth were mentioned as people who were particularly opposed to the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah. They threatened to kill him and they were certain to face God’s judgment as a result (Jeremiah 11:21–23). Jeremiah himself came from the town of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 29:27). God told Jeremiah to buy a field in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:6–9) in order to show that even if he sends his people off into exile, there will come a time again in the future when they return and once again plant crops in the land (Jeremiah 32:15, Jeremiah 32:42–44). The fact that 128 men return to Anathoth is thus a testimony to God keeping his promise.
23 The men of Anathoth, 128.