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 evil.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 21
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
מְשַׁלֵּ֣חַ
Behold I will send
H7971
מְשַׁלֵּ֣חַ
Behold I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֖רֶב
upon them the sword
H2719
הַחֶ֖רֶב
upon them the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
9 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְנָתַתִּ֣י
and will make
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֣י
and will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אוֹתָ֗ם
H853
אוֹתָ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 21
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 #:
19 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Jerusalem would endure a horrific eighteen-month siege (588-586 BC) fulfilling this prophecy literally. Lamentations describes the sword, famine, and pestilence in graphic detail. Ezekiel also used the fig metaphor (Ezek 17:1-10) to describe Jerusalem's leadership. This was fulfilled history, not mere prediction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does covenant faithfulness to God's revealed word determine blessing, not geographical or religious proximity?
- What 'vile figs' might exist in modern Christianity—outwardly religious but spiritually rotten?
- When Jesus cursed the fig tree, was He illustrating the same principle as Jeremiah? How?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence—This covenantal curse triad (חֶרֶב רָעָב וָדֶבֶר, cherev ra'av vadever) appears repeatedly in Jeremiah (14:12, 21:7, 24:10, 27:8, 29:18, 32:24, 38:2, 42:17, 44:13), echoing Leviticus 26:25-26 and Deuteronomy 28:21-22. God doesn't improvise judgment—He executes the covenant curses Israel agreed to at Sinai.
And will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil—The fig metaphor from chapter 24 returns. The Hebrew שְׁקֻעִים (shequim) means rotten, abhorrent figs—inedible and worthless. Those who seemed blessed by remaining in Jerusalem were spiritually putrid, beyond remedy. Christ's cursing of the barren fig tree (Mark 11:12-14) echoes this imagery: religious appearance without fruit merits judgment.