Ch. Jeremiah 24:1-10. The two baskets of figs

The meaning of the vision is given with sufficient clearness in the subsequent verses. Those who had not been carried away in Jehoiachin’s captivity (b.c. 597) contrasted themselves favourably with those who had been thus removed. To them the Lord here says that the real contrast is exactly the reverse. Of the good and evil figs, the latter represent such as have failed to draw any improvement from the fate which has overtaken their brethren, while those who have been carried off to Babylon shall yet be the subjects of God’s love and grace. Both the baskets contained fruit that had been gathered, and whose ripening time was therefore over, but here their likeness ceased. So both classes of the people had had their period of probation, but with results that on the whole differed essentially.

The section may be subdivided as follows.

(i) Jeremiah 24:1-3. After Jehoiachin and the other captives had been taken to Babylon, Jehovah shews Jeremiah two baskets of figs. He bids him describe them and he does so. (ii) Jeremiah 24:4-10. The good figs are the exiles, whom He will restore to their land and to prosperity, because of their loyalty to Him. The evil are Zedekiah and the rest that remain in Palestine, as well as those who have gone to Egypt. This fortune shall be their portion. They shall be scattered throughout the world, and be scorned of all nations, and perish through war, famine, and plague from the land Jehovah gave their fathers.

1. For the symbol, as probably indicating not a mental picture but actual baskets to which Jeremiah’s attention was directed, cp. note on Jeremiah 1:11 f. See also the kindred symbol in Amos 8:1.

Nebuchadrezzar] See on Jeremiah 21:2.

Jeconiah] See on Jeremiah 22:24.

smiths] The exact meaning of the Hebrew is unknown.

2. the figs that are first ripe] The proper time for gathering figs in Palestine is in August. Certain kinds of trees, however, bear twice in the year, in which case the first crop, ripening in June, are esteemed a special delicacy. See Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1; Nahum 3:12.

“The bad figs may have been such either from having decayed and thus been reduced to a rotten condition, or as being the fruit of the sycamore, which contains a bitter juice.” Tristram, op. cit. p. 399.

4–10. See introd. summary to section.

5. so will I regard … for good] as one looks with pleasure on good fruit. Cp. Ezekiel 11:17 ff; Ezekiel 20:37 f. Ezekiel on the other hand condemns (as does Jeremiah) those who remained in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 12:1-28; Ezekiel 17:1-21; Ezekiel 21:25-27; Ezekiel 21:22).

6. I will plant them] Cp. Jeremiah 31:27 f., Jeremiah 32:41.

7. an heart to know me] They shall be restored in a spiritual sense also, purified in heart by their adversity.

8. them that dwell in the land of Egypt] Whether those who accompanied Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:34), or others who during the subsequent reigns also took refuge there, as being a kingdom opposed to the Babylonian power. The Assuan papyri (see Intr. p. xix., note) shew that in b.c. 525 there was a colony which had existed there for a considerable time previously.

9. tossed to and fro] See on Jeremiah 15:4. The v. is the substance of Deuteronomy 28:25; Deuteronomy 28:37.

10. The fresh captivity shall be preceded by the same horrors as before (see on Jeremiah 15:2). Those who are represented by the evil figs were thus, still dwelling in the land, to be wasted by famine, pestilence, and sword, while the nation should thenceforward have representatives living in disgrace and exile throughout “the kingdoms.”