King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:2 in the King James Version says “One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. they: Heb. for badness”

Jeremiah 24:2 · KJV

Context

1

The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

2

One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. they: Heb. for badness

3

Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

4

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Read Jeremiah 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe—the Hebrew tovot me'od (טֹבוֹת מְאֹד, very good) emphasizes exceptional quality. Bikkurot (בִּכּוּרוֹת, first ripe) refers to early figs, considered the choicest fruit, eagerly anticipated and highly prized (Isaiah 28:4, Hosea 9:10, Micah 7:1). First fruits belonged to God (Exodus 23:19), making this imagery particularly significant—these represent people consecrated to divine purposes.

The other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad—"naughty" (ra'ot, רָעוֹת) means evil, bad, or worthless. The repetition emphasizes absolute corruption: "could not be eaten, they were so bad." The contrast is stark and absolute—no middle category exists. This binary division anticipates Jesus' teachings on fruit-bearing (Matthew 7:17-20) and final separation (Matthew 25:31-46). The vision forces recognition that covenant community membership doesn't guarantee spiritual vitality; God discerns true condition beneath external appearances.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-ripe figs appeared in June, before the main August harvest, and were considered delicacies. They were so valued that their arrival marked a season of celebration. Conversely, rotten figs were not merely unripe or mediocre but completely spoiled—worthless and disgusting. Jeremiah's audience would immediately grasp the shocking nature of this vision: the exiles whom Jerusalem's residents despised as cursed were actually God's choice first fruits, while those confident in their Jerusalem residency were rotten and destined for disposal. This reversed all conventional wisdom. The temple's presence in Jerusalem, their possession of the land, and their escape from exile seemed like divine favor. Yet God saw hearts: the exiles' humiliation had broken their pride and opened them to repentance, while Jerusalem's residents hardened in self-righteousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why might suffering and humiliation (exile) produce "good figs" while apparent blessing (remaining in Jerusalem) produce "bad figs"?
  2. How does this vision challenge the tendency to judge spiritual condition by external circumstances or religious privilege?
  3. What does the impossibility of eating the bad figs teach about the finality of persistent rebellion against God's correction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהַדּ֣וּד1 of 16

“basket”

H1731

a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket

אֶחָ֗ד2 of 16

“One”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

תְּאֵנִים֙3 of 16

“even like the figs”

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

טֹב֣וֹת4 of 16

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

מְאֹ֔ד5 of 16

“had very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

תְּאֵנִים֙6 of 16

“even like the figs”

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

הַבַּכֻּר֑וֹת7 of 16

“that are first ripe”

H1073

a first-ripe fig

וְהַדּ֣וּד8 of 16

“basket”

H1731

a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket

אֶחָ֗ד9 of 16

“One”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

תְּאֵנִים֙10 of 16

“even like the figs”

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

רָע֣וֹת11 of 16

“naughty”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מְאֹ֔ד12 of 16

“had very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא14 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵֽאָכַ֖לְנָה15 of 16

“which could not be eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מֵרֹֽעַ׃16 of 16

“they were so bad”

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 24:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 24:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 5:4Isaiah 5:7Micah 7:1Matthew 5:13Jeremiah 24:5-10Jeremiah 29:17

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