ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 24
“Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Like these good figs, so I will regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good.”
Jeremiah 24:5
Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the captives of Judah, declaring that he will regard them as 'good' and restore them, contrasting their fate with that of those who remain.
What Jeremiah 24 is about
Yahweh shows Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs before His temple after Nebuchadnezzar captured Jeconiah and other leaders of Judah (vv. 1-2). One basket contains very good figs and the other has very bad figs. Yahweh then asks Jeremiah what he sees, and Jeremiah describes the figs as good and bad (vv. 3-4). Yahweh declares that like the good figs, He will regard the captives of Judah who were taken to Babylon for good (vv. 5-6). He promises to bring them back to their land, build them up, and give them a heart to know Him (vv. 6-7). Conversely, Yahweh states that the bad figs represent Zedekiah, his princes, and the remnant of Jerusalem, whom He will give up to be a reproach among the nations (vv. 8-9). He will send destruction upon them until they are removed from the land Yahweh gave to them (v. 10).
Yahweh promises to restore the exiled captives while pronouncing judgment on those who remain in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 24 at a glance
- Jeremiah 24:1–2The Vision of Two Baskets of Figs
- Jeremiah 24:3–7God's Promise to the Exiles
- Jeremiah 24:8–10Judgment on Those Who Remain
Key verse: Jeremiah 24:5
One thing to notice
Yahweh speaks directly to Jeremiah in verses 4, 5, and 8. A distinction is made between the messages delivered to the exiles and those remaining in Jerusalem. The tone shifts from a vision in verses 1-3 to declarations about the fate of the people in verses 5 and 8.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Jeremiah 24 (WEB)
The Vision of Two Baskets of Figs Jeremiah 24:1–2
1Verse 1. Yahweh showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs were set before Yahweh’s temple, after Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2Verse 2. 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 Promise to the Exiles Jeremiah 24:3–7
3Verse 3. Then Yahweh asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs. The good figs are very good, and the bad are very bad, so bad that can’t be eaten.” 4Verse 4. Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 5Verse 5. “Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Like these good figs, so I will regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good. 6Verse 6. For I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land. I will build them, and not pull them down. I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
7Verse 7. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahweh. They will be my people, and I will be their God; for they will return to me with their whole heart.
Judgment on Those Who Remain Jeremiah 24:8–10
8Verse 8. “‘As the bad figs, which can’t be eaten, they are so bad,’ surely Yahweh says, ‘So I will give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the remnant of Jerusalem, who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. 9Verse 9. I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I will drive them. 10Verse 10. I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, until they are consumed from off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Jeremiah 24
God's Sovereignty
In this chapter, God's sovereignty is evident in His control over the fate of Judah during the Babylonian exile. In v. 5, Yahweh declares that He will regard the captives of Judah 'for good', promising their eventual return to their homeland. This authority is contrasted with the fate of those who remain, as seen in v. 9, where God states He will give Zedekiah and his people up to be 'a reproach and a proverb' among nations.
Judgment and Restoration
Judgment and restoration are central to the message in Jeremiah 24. In vv. 8-10, God pronounces judgment on Zedekiah and the remnant in Jerusalem, stating they will experience sword, famine, and pestilence. Conversely, in vv. 6-7, He assures the exiled captives that He will bring them back and restore them, indicating a dual focus on judgment for the unfaithful and restoration for those who turn back to Him.
Divine Providence
Divine providence is illustrated through God's care for the exiles in this chapter. In v. 6, God expresses His commitment to 'set my eyes on them for good', indicating His active involvement in their welfare. This providence contrasts with the fate of the bad figs, who are subject to calamity and displacement, as stated in v. 10, showing that God's providence ensures protection and eventual restoration for those who belong to Him.
Covenant Faithfulness
In Jeremiah 24, God's covenant faithfulness is evident through His promise to the exiled captives. In verse 7, He assures them of a renewed relationship, saying, 'They will be my people, and I will be their God.' This commitment contrasts with the fate of those who remain in Jerusalem, showing that while some will face judgment, others are assured of God's faithfulness and the hope of returning to Him wholeheartedly.
Chapter outline
How Jeremiah 24 unfolds
Jeremiah 24:1–2 The Vision of Two Baskets of Figs
Yahweh reveals a vision to Jeremiah featuring two baskets of figs, one containing good figs and the other bad figs, after the exile of Jeconiah and the princes of Judah (vv. 1-2).
Jeremiah 24:3–7 God's Promise to the Exiles
God promises to regard the exiled captives favorably, declaring that He will bring them back, build them up, and give them a heart to know Him as their God (vv. 5-7).
Jeremiah 24:8–10 Judgment on Those Who Remain
In contrast, God pronounces judgment on Zedekiah and the remaining people, declaring they will face calamities and become a reproach among the nations (vv. 8-10).
Key verses
Jeremiah 24:5Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the captives of Judah, declaring that he will regard them as 'good' and restore them, contrasting their fate with that of those who remain.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Jeremiah 24
- observeIn v1, who is taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon?
- observeWhat do the 'good figs' in v5 signify in God's message?
- interpretThe promise in v6: what does God mean by 'I will build them, and not pull them down'?
- interpretIn vv. 9-10, why does God say the bad figs will become a 'reproach and a proverb'?
- applyWhen have you felt like a 'bad fig' in a situation beyond your control?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Jeremiah 24
- Hebrews 8Jeremiah 24:7 and Hebrews 8:10Both know: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, while Hebrews 8:10 I will put my laws into their mind.
- 2 Corinthians 6Jeremiah 24:7 and 2 Corinthians 6:16Both know: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, while 2 Corinthians 6:16 I will dwell in them.
- Jeremiah 29Jeremiah 24:7 and Jeremiah 29:13Both seek: Jeremiah 24:7 they will return to me with their whole heart, while Jeremiah 29:13 you shall seek me.
- 1 Chronicles 28Jeremiah 24:7 and 1 Chronicles 28:9Both know: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, while 1 Chronicles 28:9 if you seek him, he will be found by you.
- Jeremiah 31Jeremiah 24:7 and Jeremiah 31:33Both know: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, while Jeremiah 31:33 I will put my law in their inward parts.
- Jeremiah 32Jeremiah 24:7 and Jeremiah 32:40Both know: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, while Jeremiah 32:40 I will put my fear in their hearts.
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