Jeremiah 24:8
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:
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה
which cannot be eaten
H398
תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה
which cannot be eaten
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
5 of 27
to eat (literally or figuratively)
מֵרֹ֑עַ
they are so evil
H7455
מֵרֹ֑עַ
they are so evil
Strong's:
H7455
Word #:
6 of 27
badness (as marring), physically or morally
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶ֠תֵּן
So will I give
H5414
אֶ֠תֵּן
So will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֤ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֤ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
16 of 27
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֵ֣ת׀
H853
וְאֵ֣ת׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
and the residue
H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
and the residue
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
20 of 27
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
21 of 27
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙
that remain
H7604
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙
that remain
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
וְהַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים
and them that dwell
H3427
וְהַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים
and them that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Historical Context
After Nebuchadnezzar's 597 BC deportation of Jehoiachin and the elites, Zedekiah ruled as Babylonian puppet with remaining nobles and population. Many fled to Egypt seeking refuge. Jeremiah's fig vision (594 BC) predicted that those who stayed or fled to Egypt would fare worse than the exiles—fulfilled when Jerusalem fell (586 BC) and Egyptian refugees were later attacked.
Questions for Reflection
- How might apparent freedom or prosperity actually indicate being under divine judgment?
- When has God's discipline proven more merciful than comfortable circumstances?
- What 'evil figs' in your life appear good but are actually spiritually spoiled?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil (הַתְּאֵנִים הָרָעוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תֵאָכַלְנָה מֵרֹעַ, hatt'enim hara'ot asher lo-te'akhelna mero'a)—the evil figs represent Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem...and them that dwell in the land of Egypt. The comparison to inedible figs, spoiled beyond use (רֹעַ, ro'a, 'badness/evil'), indicates total corruption. Unlike the good figs (exiles in Babylon, vv. 5-7) who would be restored, these remaining in the land would face comprehensive judgment.
The agricultural metaphor distinguishes between those who submitted to Babylon (preserving their future) and those who resisted (spoiling themselves). Counterintuitively, those taken into exile were 'good figs' while those remaining appeared blessed but were actually cursed. This challenges assumptions that visible prosperity indicates divine favor. Sometimes God's discipline (exile) proves more merciful than apparent freedom (remaining in Jerusalem).