Lexical Summary bakkurah: Firstfruits, early fruit Original Word: בַּכֻּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance firstripe By orthographical variation for bikkuwrah; a first- ripe fig -- firstripe. see HEBREW bikkuwrah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee bikkurah. Topical Lexicon Botanical and Agricultural Background The fig tree (Ficus carica) is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the Levant. Two main harvests were recognized: an early, tender crop that appears soon after the spring rains, and the later summer crop that ripens on the new wood. The early figs were eagerly awaited because they signaled the end of winter scarcity and the beginning of the agricultural year’s abundance. Their sweetness, softness, and limited availability made them a prized delicacy, often eaten immediately rather than stored. Biblical Usage and Symbolism Because these first figs arrived ahead of the main harvest, they naturally became a picture of what is choice, promising, and eagerly desired. Scripture uses early figs to convey at least three ideas: 1. Excellence and desirability (Jeremiah 24:2). Prophetic Implications in Jeremiah 24 Jeremiah’s vision of two baskets of figs came after King Jeconiah’s deportation to Babylon. “One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early” (Jeremiah 24:2). These good figs represent the Judeans already taken into exile. Paradoxically, they appear “plucked” from their homeland yet are called “very good” because God intends their preservation and restoration: “I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land” (Jeremiah 24:6). The basket of early, high-quality figs therefore embodies hope. Though uprooted, the faithful remnant will experience spiritual renewal, foreshadowing the new covenant promise of a heart to know the Lord (Jeremiah 24:7). By contrast, the “very bad figs” typify those remaining in Jerusalem who, despite outward security, will face judgment. The single occurrence of בַּכֻּרָה thus anchors a major prophetic contrast between genuine and counterfeit security. Connections with the Principle of Firstfruits Early figs naturally invite comparison with the broader biblical theme of firstfruits. Under the Torah, firstfruits were presented to the Lord as a declaration that the entire harvest belonged to Him (Exodus 23:19). Jeremiah’s good figs anticipate a faithful remnant offered back to God—His “firstfruits” out of judgment. This typology reaches its zenith in the New Testament where Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as early figs guarantee more fruit to follow, the resurrection of Christ guarantees the full harvest of redeemed humanity. Practical Ministry Application 1. Discernment: The two baskets urge believers to distinguish between outward religiosity and genuine covenant loyalty. Early figs, though few, represent true faith even in exile. Key References Jeremiah 24:1-10; Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10; Nahum 3:12; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20; James 1:18 Forms and Transliterations הַבַּכֻּר֑וֹת הבכרות hab·bak·ku·rō·wṯ habbakkuRot habbakkurōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 24:2 HEB: מְאֹ֔ד כִּתְאֵנֵ֖י הַבַּכֻּר֑וֹת וְהַדּ֣וּד אֶחָ֗ד KJV: [even] like the figs [that are] first ripe: and the other INT: had very figs ripe basket and the other 1 Occurrence |
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