Jeremiah 24:8 kjv
And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
Jeremiah 24:8 nkjv
'And as the bad figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad'?surely thus says the LORD?'so will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, his princes, the residue of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 24:8 niv
"?'But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,' says the LORD, 'so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt.
Jeremiah 24:8 esv
"But thus says the LORD: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 24:8 nlt
"But the bad figs," the LORD said, "represent King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, all the people left in Jerusalem, and those who live in Egypt. I will treat them like bad figs, too rotten to eat.
Jeremiah 24 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 24:8 | "But as the bad figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad;" | Jeremiah 24:8 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 24:9 | "...they shall be for trembling, a reproach, for a proverb, for a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them." | Jeremiah 24:9 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 24:10 | "And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers." | Jeremiah 24:10 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 25:38 | "He hath forsaken his lair, as a lion: for their land at his presence is as a wilderness, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein." | Jeremiah 25:38 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 29:17 | "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so vile." | Jeremiah 29:17 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 29:18 | "And I will persecute them with the sword with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed unto all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and a astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach among all the nations whither I have driven them:" | Jeremiah 29:18 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 29:19 | "Because they have not hearkened unto my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up betimes, and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD." | Jeremiah 29:19 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 32:37 | "Behold, I will gather them for all their lands, that I have given them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath: and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:" | Jeremiah 32:37 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 32:38 | "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:" | Jeremiah 32:38 (OT) |
| Ezekiel 14:21 | "For thus saith the Lord GOD; How shall I do even when my four sore judgments were upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?" | Ezekiel 14:21 (OT) |
| Ezekiel 14:22 | "Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall bring forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it." | Ezekiel 14:22 (OT) |
| Ezekiel 14:23 | "And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have done nothing without cause, saith the Lord GOD." | Ezekiel 14:23 (OT) |
| Leviticus 26:33 | "And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste." | Leviticus 26:33 (OT) |
| Deuteronomy 28:64 | "And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone." | Deuteronomy 28:64 (OT) |
| Hosea 3:4 | "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:" | Hosea 3:4 (OT) |
| Hosea 9:10 | "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame, and their abominations were as their beloved." | Hosea 9:10 (OT) |
| Hosea 9:11 | "As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception." | Hosea 9:11 (OT) |
| Romans 9:21 | "Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" | Romans 9:21 (NT) |
| Romans 11:5 | "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." | Romans 11:5 (NT) |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" | 1 Peter 2:9 (NT) |
Jeremiah 24 verses
Jeremiah 24 8 Meaning
This verse describes the Babylonian captivity as a judgment upon Judah for their sin, but the deported Judeans are presented as "good figs," signifying a future hope of restoration and covenant faithfulness, unlike the "bad figs" who will perish. God's intent in this judgment is to bring them back to Him and to be His people once again.
Jeremiah 24 8 Context
Jeremiah 24 describes a vision given to the prophet Jeremiah by God. It involves two baskets of figs set before the Lord. One basket contains "good figs," representing the exiles taken to Babylon who will be restored. The other basket contains "bad figs," symbolizing those left behind in Judah, including King Zedekiah and the people who resisted God's word through Jeremiah. The "bad figs" represent those who are ultimately destined for destruction due to their disobedience and rebellion against God's commands. The prophecy emphasizes the impending judgment by Babylon, distinguishing between those who would experience a future of restoration and those destined for utter ruin. The chapter serves to explain the impending judgment and offer a glimmer of hope to the exiles, setting a stage for later promises of return and renewal. Historically, this vision likely occurred around 597 BC, before the final destruction of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 24 8 Word Analysis
- "But" (וְ - vaw): Conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding description of the bad figs. It signifies a contrast and continuation of the negative portrayal.
- "as" (כְּ - ke): Indicates similarity or manner, comparing the bad figs to their condition.
- "the" (הַ - ha): Definite article.
- "bad" (רָעָה - ra'ah): Adjective meaning bad, evil, wicked, unpleasant. In this context, it describes figs that are rotten or spoiled and thus unusable.
- "figs" (תְּאֵנִים - t'enim): Plural of fig (תְּאֵנָה - t'enah). Figs were a common and valued fruit in ancient Israel.
- "which" (אֲשֶׁר - asher): Relative pronoun.
- "cannot" (לֹא - lo): Negation particle.
- "be eaten" (יֹאכֵל - y'okhel): Future tense, passive verb from the root אָכַל (akal), meaning to eat. They are unfit for consumption.
- "they are so bad" (כִּי־מֵרֹעָה הֵמָּה - ki-meroaH hemmH): This phrase emphasizes the severity of their badness. "MerOah" can imply bitterness or malice, amplifying their spoiled state.
Words Group Analysis:
- "the bad figs which cannot be eaten, they are so bad": This phrase paints a stark picture of utter worthlessness and corruption. The repetition of "bad" and the description of their inedibility highlights the completeness of their judgment and condemnation. They are not just flawed; they are utterly ruined and useless, destined for disposal.
Jeremiah 24 8 Bonus Section
The metaphor of figs is used elsewhere in scripture. Hosea 9:10 speaks of Israel being found like grapes in the wilderness, but then departing to Baalpeor, comparing them to the first ripe fruit which quickly turned to corruption. This echoes the theme of pristine beginnings yielding to sinful ruin, a contrast with the "good figs" of Jeremiah 24, who represent a faithfulness that will endure and be restored. The imagery of bad figs being discarded speaks to the ultimate unacceptability of those who remain defiant in their sin, even amidst God's warnings and judgments. It underscores the principle that God cannot tolerate persistent unfaithfulness and that His judgments are just, resulting in the removal of what is corrupt and unusable.
Jeremiah 24 8 Commentary
This verse seals the fate of those depicted by the bad figs – the remnant of Jerusalem that resisted God's word and relied on false hopes. Their spiritual and moral corruption makes them utterly unusable and subject to complete destruction. This inedibility of the figs is a powerful metaphor for their unfitness for God's purposes and their imminent demise, which will be carried out through severe judgments like sword, famine, and pestilence. Unlike the good figs, who represent a hopeful future, these bad figs symbolize complete rejection and a warning of God's final judgment on persistent sin.