Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 24

Jeremiah’s Thirteenth Prophecy

A collection of short prophecies here forming one group, delivered, however, at various dates, and perhaps reissued with modifications from time to time to suit the needs of successive occasions.

Jeremiah 21:11 to Jeremiah 22:30 deal with the sins of succèssive kings, Jeremiah 23:1-8 give expression to Messianic hopes. Jeremiah 24:1-10 show by the figure of baskets of worthless figs the rottenness to which the state had been reduced under Zedekiah.

Verses 1-10

The Two Baskets of Figs

The evil figs were such of the people as had not been carried away with Jehoiachin to Babylon after the first siege of Jerusalem, 597 b.c., but had failed to draw any warning from the fate that had overtaken their brethren. Those who had been made captives, on the other hand, should yet be the subjects of God’s love and grace. The ripening time for both baskets was over, but here the likeness between them ceased.

1. Carpenters] RV ’craftsmen,’ the most valuable captives.

2. First ripe] In the case of trees bearing twice in the year, the first crop, ripening in June, was considered a special delicacy. Naughty] RV ’bad.’

5. Acknowledge] RV ’regard.’

8. Egypt] cp. Jeremiah 22:10, Jeremiah 22:11.

9. To be removed into] RV ’to be tossed to and fro among.’