Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten. New Living Translation One basket was filled with fresh, ripe figs, while the other was filled with bad figs that were too rotten to eat. English Standard Version One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. Berean Standard Bible One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. King James Bible 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. New King James Version One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten, they were so bad. New American Standard Bible One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten due to rottenness. NASB 1995 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten due to rottenness. NASB 1977 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten due to rottenness. Legacy Standard Bible One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, and the other basket had very rotten figs which could not be eaten due to rottenness. Amplified Bible One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are the first to ripen; but the other basket had very bad figs, so rotten that they could not be eaten. Christian Standard Bible One basket contained very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible. Holman Christian Standard Bible One basket contained very good figs, like early figs, but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible. American Standard Version One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Contemporary English Version One basket was full of very good figs that ripened early, and the other was full of rotten figs that were not fit to eat. English Revised Version One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. GOD'S WORD® Translation One basket had very good figs, like figs that ripen first. The other basket had very bad figs. These figs were so bad that they couldn't be eaten. Good News Translation The first basket contained good figs, those that ripen early; the other one contained bad figs, too bad to eat. International Standard Version One basket contained very good figs like the first figs that ripen on the tree. The other basket contained very bad figs that were too bad to be eaten. NET Bible One basket had very good-looking figs in it. They looked like those that had ripened early. The other basket had very bad-looking figs in it, so bad they could not be eaten. New Heart English Bible One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Webster's Bible Translation One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very poor figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOne basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. World English Bible One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn one basket [are] very good figs, like the first-ripe figs, and in the other basket [are] very bad figs that are not eaten because of badness. Young's Literal Translation In the one basket are figs very good, like the first-ripe figs, and in the other basket are figs very bad, that are not eaten for badness. Smith's Literal Translation One basket of figs exceedingly good as the figs first ripe, and the one basket of figs exceedingly evil, which shall not be eaten from being evil. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOne basket had very good figs, like the figs of the first season: and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, because they were bad. Catholic Public Domain Version One basket had exceedingly good figs, like the figs usually found early in the season, and the other basket had exceedingly bad figs, which could not be eaten because they were so bad. New American Bible One basket contained excellent figs, those that ripen early. But the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten. New Revised Standard Version One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOne basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, so that they could not be eaten, because they were so bad. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated One reed basket of figs that are very good, as first fruit figs, and another reed basket of figs that are very bad that are not eaten, because of their badness OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Brenton Septuagint Translation The one basket was full of very good figs, as the early figs; and the other basket was full of very bad figs, which could not be eaten, for their badness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Good and Bad Figs1After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. 2One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. 3“Jeremiah,” the LORD asked, “what do you see?” “Figs!” I replied. “The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are very bad, so bad they cannot be eaten.”… Cross References Matthew 7:17-20 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. / A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. / Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ... Luke 6:43-45 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. / The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Isaiah 5:1-7 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ... Ezekiel 15:1-8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? / Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? ... Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved. Amos 8:1-2 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: I saw a basket of summer fruit. / “Amos, what do you see?” He asked. “A basket of summer fruit,” I replied. So the LORD said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel; I will no longer spare them.” Matthew 21:18-19 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry. / Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered. Mark 11:12-14 The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. / Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. / Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement. John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... Romans 11:17-24 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Isaiah 27:6 In the days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit. Micah 7:1 Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave. Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. Luke 13:6-9 Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ / ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ... Treasury of Scripture 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. One basket. Jeremiah 24:5-7 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good… Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. Micah 7:1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. first ripe. Isaiah 28:4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. naughty. Jeremiah 24:8-10 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: … Isaiah 5:4,7 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? … Ezekiel 15:2-5 Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? … they were so bad. Jump to Previous Bad Basket Due Early Eaten Figs First First-Ripe Food Good Growth Naughty Poor Ripe Ripen Rottenness UseJump to Next Bad Basket Due Early Eaten Figs First First-Ripe Food Good Growth Naughty Poor Ripe Ripen Rottenness UseJeremiah 24 1. Under the type of good and bad figs,4. he foreshows the restoration of those who were in captivity; 8. and the desolation of Zedekiah and the rest. One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early The imagery of figs is significant in the biblical context, often symbolizing prosperity and blessing. Early-ripening figs were considered a delicacy in ancient Israel, representing the first fruits of the harvest and thus a sign of God's favor. This phrase suggests a remnant of people who are faithful and obedient to God, akin to the good figs. In the broader context of Jeremiah, these figs symbolize the exiles in Babylon who will eventually be restored. The early ripening indicates readiness and a special quality, pointing to those who are spiritually prepared and responsive to God's call. but the other basket contained very poor figs so bad they could not be eaten Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. He is the one receiving the vision of the two baskets of figs. 2. The Baskets of Figs Symbolic elements in Jeremiah's vision representing two groups of people. The good figs symbolize those who will be preserved and restored, while the bad figs represent those who will face judgment. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies. The people of Judah are facing impending judgment due to their disobedience. 4. Babylonian Exile The historical context of this vision, where the people of Judah are being taken into exile by the Babylonians. This event is central to understanding the symbolism of the figs. 5. King Nebuchadnezzar The Babylonian king who conquered Judah and initiated the exile. His actions are part of God's judgment on Judah. Teaching Points Symbolism of FruitfulnessThe vision of the figs teaches us about the importance of spiritual fruitfulness. Just as good figs are desirable, God desires His people to bear good fruit in their lives. Judgment and Restoration The two baskets of figs symbolize both judgment and hope. While God judges sin, He also provides a path to restoration for those who repent. Obedience and Disobedience The fate of the figs serves as a reminder of the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God's commands. God's Sovereignty The vision underscores God's control over nations and history. Even in exile, God has a plan for His people. Personal Reflection Consider what kind of "fig" you are in your spiritual life. Are you bearing good fruit that pleases God, or are there areas that need repentance and growth? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 24:2?2. How do the "good figs" symbolize God's faithful remnant in Jeremiah 24:2? 3. What lessons can we learn from the "bad figs" about disobedience to God? 4. How does Jeremiah 24:2 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 28? 5. In what ways can we ensure we are like the "good figs" today? 6. How does Jeremiah 24:2 encourage us to trust God's judgment and sovereignty? 7. What is the significance of the two baskets of figs in Jeremiah 24:2? 8. How does Jeremiah 24:2 reflect God's judgment and mercy? 9. What historical context surrounds the vision in Jeremiah 24:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 24? 11. Jeremiah 24:2 – How can we verify historically or archaeologically that this vision of two baskets of figs corresponds to real events involving the people of Judah? 12. What do the two baskets of figs symbolize? 13. Jeremiah 24:5 - If God favored those taken into exile, where is the clear evidence that they flourished in Babylon and returned as promised? 14. Jeremiah 24:8 - Does God's severe judgment on the 'bad figs' conflict with the idea of a just and loving deity who offers redemption to all? What Does Jeremiah 24:2 Mean One basket had very good figsJeremiah is shown two baskets just after King Jeconiah and many leaders have been deported (Jeremiah 24:1). The first basket is filled with “very good figs.” • God immediately identifies these figs with the exiles in Babylon—“Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans” (Jeremiah 24:5). • The goodness of the fruit stresses that the removal to Babylon is not punishment for punishment’s sake but a refining act intended for their welfare (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28). • Just as good figs nourish, the remnant will become a blessing to future generations (Jeremiah 32:37-41; Isaiah 10:20-21). • God promises, “I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land” (Jeremiah 24:6), echoing earlier covenant assurances (Deuteronomy 30:3). Like those that ripen early Early-ripening figs were the sweetest, prized as firstfruits of the harvest (Hosea 9:10). • Their appearance signals hope and a new season; likewise, the exiles are firstfruits of a restored nation (James 1:18). • Early figs reach maturity quickly, picturing a people ready for prompt obedience in a foreign land (Jeremiah 29:4-7). • The imagery recalls God’s delight in found fruit—“I found Israel like the early fruit on a fig tree” (Hosea 9:10)—underscoring His continuing affection for a faithful remnant. But the other basket contained very poor figs The second basket is filled with fruit that looks like figs yet is worthless. • God explains, “Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, the remnant in this land, and those living in Egypt” (Jeremiah 24:8). • Remaining in Jerusalem had seemed safer, but their refusal to heed prophetic warnings exposed hearts that would not surrender to God’s discipline (2 Kings 24:18-20; Jeremiah 21:8-10). • Jesus later echoes the same principle: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down” (Matthew 7:19), showing that mere proximity to the temple never guarantees favor. So bad they could not be eaten The rot is complete; there is no redeeming use for the fruit. • God declares He will make them “a horror and an offense” in all kingdoms of the earth (Jeremiah 24:9), paralleling the grim picture of tares burned at harvest (Matthew 13:40-42). • Their spiritual decay had reached a point where judgment was the only righteous response (Isaiah 5:4; Revelation 3:16). • Even the language of inedibility stresses utter incompatibility with divine purpose—fruit meant for nourishment now becomes a warning sign to onlookers (Luke 13:6-9). summary Jeremiah 24:2 contrasts two baskets to reveal God’s simultaneous mercy and judgment. The good figs represent exiles who submit to divine correction and will be replanted for future blessing; the bad figs embody those clinging to rebellion, destined for ruin. The verse urges wholehearted surrender, affirming that genuine fruitfulness flows from trusting the Lord’s hand—even when it leads through exile. (2) Like the figs that are first ripe.--Figs were usually gathered in August. The "first ripe," the "summer fruits" of Micah 7:1, the "hasty fruit before the summer" (Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10) were looked upon as a choice delicacy. The "naughty" (i.e., worthless) fruits were those that had been left behind on the tree, bruised and decayed. The word was not confined in the 16th century to the language of the nursery, and was applied freely to things as well as persons. So North's translation of Plutarch speaks of men "fighting on naughty ground.""So shines a good deed in a naughty world." SHAKESPEARE, Merchant of Venice, v. 1. Verse 2. - Like the figs that are first ripe. The early spring fig was considered a special delicacy (comp. Isaiah 27:4; Hosea 9:10); "ficus praecox," Pliny calls it ('Hist. Nat.,' 15:19, quoted by Trench). Tristram suggests that the "bad figs" were those of a sycamore tree.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Oneאֶחָ֗ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first basket הַדּ֣וּד (had·dūḏ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1731: A pot, a basket [had] very מְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily good טֹב֣וֹת (ṭō·ḇō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good figs, תְּאֵנִים֙ (tə·’ê·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8384: Of foreign derivation, the fig like those that ripen early, כִּתְאֵנֵ֖י (kiṯ·’ê·nê) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 8384: Of foreign derivation, the fig but the other אֶחָ֗ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first basket וְהַדּ֣וּד (wə·had·dūḏ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1731: A pot, a basket contained very מְאֹ֔ד (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily poor רָע֣וֹת (rā·‘ō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7451: Bad, evil figs, תְּאֵנִים֙ (tə·’ê·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8384: Of foreign derivation, the fig so bad מֵרֹֽעַ׃ (mê·rō·a‘) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7455: Badness, evil they could not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no be eaten. תֵֽאָכַ֖לְנָה (ṯê·’ā·ḵal·nāh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 398: To eat Links Jeremiah 24:2 NIVJeremiah 24:2 NLT Jeremiah 24:2 ESV Jeremiah 24:2 NASB Jeremiah 24:2 KJV Jeremiah 24:2 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 24:2 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 24:2 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 24:2 French Bible Jeremiah 24:2 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 24:2 One basket had very good figs like (Jer.) |
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