King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 24:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 24:9 in the King James Version says “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,... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 24:9 · KJV


Context

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 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 (וּנְתַתִּים לְזַעֲוָה לְרָעָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ לְחֶרְפָּה וּלְמָשָׁל לִשְׁנִינָה וְלִקְלָלָה, un'tattim l'za'avah l'ra'ah l'khol mamlekhot ha'arets l'cherpah ul'mashal lishnina v'liqlalah). The fourfold designation—reproach (חֶרְפָּה), proverb (מָשָׁל), taunt (שְׁנִינָה), curse (קְלָלָה)—emphasizes comprehensive infamy. They would become object lessons of divine judgment, scattered for their hurt (לְרָעָה, l'ra'ah—'for evil/harm').

This reverses Abrahamic covenant promises. God promised Abraham 'I will make thy name great' (Genesis 12:2) and bless the nations through his seed. Now Judah becomes a byword for cursing among nations. The verb נָתַן (natan, 'deliver/give') indicates active divine agency—God Himself scatters them as warning to others. Their suffering serves pedagogical purposes for surrounding nations, demonstrating covenant curse's reality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy found fulfillment in multiple stages: Jerusalem's 586 BC destruction, Gedaliah's assassination leading to Egyptian flight (Jeremiah 40-44), and eventual Babylonian campaigns into Egypt (568 BC). Jewish refugees became proverbial examples of divine judgment, their fate warning others about covenant rebellion. This reputation persisted through subsequent exiles under Rome (70 AD, 135 AD).

Reflection Questions

  1. How might your disobedience make you a negative example warning others?
  2. What does it mean to be a 'proverb' or cautionary tale in your community?
  3. How does God use visible judgment to teach others about covenant consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּנְתַתִּים֙1 of 15

And I will deliver

H5414

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

לְזַוֲעָ֣ה2 of 15
H2113

agitation, fear

לְרָעָ֔ה3 of 15

for their hurt

H7451

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

לְכֹ֖ל4 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַמְלְכ֣וֹת5 of 15

into all the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הָאָ֑רֶץ6 of 15

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְחֶרְפָּ֤ה7 of 15

to be a reproach

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

וּלְמָשָׁל֙8 of 15

and a proverb

H4912

properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)

לִשְׁנִינָ֣ה9 of 15

a taunt

H8148

something pointed, i.e., a gibe

וְלִקְלָלָ֔ה10 of 15

and a curse

H7045

vilification

בְּכָל11 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת12 of 15

in all places

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶֽׁר13 of 15
H834

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

אַדִּיחֵ֥ם14 of 15

whither I shall drive

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

שָֽׁם׃15 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 24:9 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 24:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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