King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:8 in the King James Version says “And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the k... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

6

For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

7

And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

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:

9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. to be removed: Heb. for removing, or, vexation

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might apparent freedom or prosperity actually indicate being under divine judgment?
  2. When has God's discipline proven more merciful than comfortable circumstances?
  3. What 'evil figs' in your life appear good but are actually spiritually spoiled?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְכַתְּאֵנִים֙1 of 27

figs

H8384

the fig (tree or fruit)

הָֽרָע֔וֹת2 of 27

And as the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר3 of 27
H834

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

לֹא4 of 27
H3808

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

תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה5 of 27

which cannot be eaten

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מֵרֹ֑עַ6 of 27

they are so evil

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

כִּי7 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה׀8 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר9 of 27

surely thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה10 of 27

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כֵּ֣ן11 of 27
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

אֶ֠תֵּן12 of 27

So will I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת13 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ14 of 27

Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ15 of 27

the king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֤ה16 of 27

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֶת17 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׂרָיו֙18 of 27

and his princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְאֵ֣ת׀19 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית20 of 27

and the residue

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם21 of 27

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙22 of 27

that remain

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ23 of 27

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֔את24 of 27
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְהַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים25 of 27

and them that dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ26 of 27

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃27 of 27

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 24:8 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 24:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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