In the Bible, the imagery of figs is used in various contexts, often symbolizing prosperity, peace, and divine blessing. However, in certain passages, figs are used to represent the wicked, particularly when they are described as "evil" or "bad" figs. This metaphor is notably found in the book of Jeremiah, where the prophet uses the imagery of figs to convey God's judgment upon the people of Judah.

Jeremiah's Vision of Figs

The primary biblical reference to the wicked being compared to evil figs is found in Jeremiah 24. In this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah receives a vision from the LORD concerning two baskets of figs placed before the temple. One basket contains very good figs, like those that ripen early, while the other basket contains very bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten.

Jeremiah 24:2-3 states: "One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten. Then the LORD asked me, 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' 'Figs!' I replied. 'The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are very bad, so bad they cannot be eaten.'"

Symbolism and Interpretation

In this vision, the good figs represent the exiles from Judah whom God regards favorably. These are the people who have been taken into Babylonian captivity, and God promises to watch over them, eventually bringing them back to their land. Jeremiah 24:5-7 explains: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep My eyes on them for good and will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.'"

Conversely, the bad figs symbolize those who remain in Jerusalem or have fled to Egypt, representing the wicked who refuse to heed God's warnings and continue in their disobedience. Jeremiah 24:8-10 declares: "'But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,' says the LORD, 'so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all the places to which I banish them. I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.'"

Theological Implications

The comparison of the wicked to evil figs serves as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment. It underscores the consequences of disobedience and the rejection of God's covenant. The bad figs, being inedible and worthless, illustrate the spiritual decay and moral corruption of those who turn away from God. This imagery reinforces the biblical theme that God desires repentance and a return to righteousness, offering hope and restoration to those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

The metaphor also highlights the distinction between those who are faithful to God and those who are not. The good figs, though exiled, are under God's protection and promise, while the bad figs face destruction and disgrace. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning oneself with God's will and the blessings that come from obedience and faithfulness.Jeremiah 24:8
And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus said 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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... The wicked are compared to beasts of prey that live ... to rank these, whether among
the godly or the wicked. ... Psalm 145:9). He requires good for evil, like the ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Ninth Commandment
... has been called "tongue murder." Slanderers are compared to flies ... life: but violence
covereth the mouth of the wicked. ... man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

The Tongue.
... Now observe, this slander is compared in the text to ... persecuted"you leave that to
the wicked Church of ... The truest definition of evil is that which represents ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
... Are the kisses for the wicked and the frowns for us? ... saved by the Lord?" Who can
be compared with the ... the blessing of the Lord." Well might the evil prophet of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/alas for us if thou.htm

An American Reformer.
... opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with ... Like every
other error, its results were evil. ... 550) I felt that if the wicked could be ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /18 an american reformer.htm

An American Reformer
... opinions, and dispensing with commentaries, he compared scripture with ... Like every
other error, its results were evil. ... 8, 9. I felt that if the wicked could be ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 18 an american reformer.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... resist not evil," that is, by rendering evil for evil. ... thing or things with which
it is compared, thus: "A ... with professions of love] and a wicked heart" (Prov ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Prayer Answered, Love Nourished
... a world seemed to me to be but little compared with the ... you recollect how ye prayed
that out of evil God would ... good, that all the curses of the wicked might be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/prayer answered love nourished.htm

Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and ...
... Rouen"a veritable abode of luxury as compared with the ... Wicked boy!"thou wilt kill
me with thy naughty speeches ... All this evil comes of the school,"I would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ii lovely to a poet.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... the performance of that duty, if they be wicked and unclean ... And we wonder that that
law should be compared to our ... to do evil, should cease to do evil, when they ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

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