The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

JEREMIAH 24:1KJV
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Jeremiah 24:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 24:1 mean?

Jeremiah 24:1 describes a vision shown to Jeremiah by the LORD, where he sees two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple after King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon has taken Jeconiah, the leaders, and skilled workers from Jerusalem into exile in Babylon. This sets the stage for a message about the fate of those taken into captivity versus those left behind.

The verse is spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, who is recounting what God (the LORD) revealed to him. The historical setting is just after a major deportation from Jerusalem, when Babylon had conquered the city and taken away King Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin), along with important officials and craftsmen. The vision of the two baskets of figs is meant to symbolize two different groups of people and prepares the reader for the explanation that follows in the next verses.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 24:1

  • The word for "baskets" (דּוּד, dud, H1736) refers to large containers, often for carrying or storing food. The use of this word emphasizes the idea of a clear, visible presentation—these are not hidden or scattered figs, but deliberately set out for inspection.
  • The word "set" (יָעַד, ya'ad, H3259) means "appointed" or "placed," suggesting intentionality. The figs are not just randomly there; they have been purposefully placed before the temple, highlighting that this vision is meant to convey a specific message from God.
  • "Before" (לִפְנֵי, lifnei, H6440) literally means "in the presence of" or "in front of," underscoring the location as being right before the temple, the central place of worship and God's presence for Israel. This detail shows the seriousness and public nature of the vision.

Why Jeremiah 24:1 matters

  • Jeremiah 24:1 clarifies that the vision is not just a random image but is tied to a specific historical event—the exile of Jeconiah and others—which helps the reader understand the context of the coming message.
  • The mention of both leaders and skilled workers being taken highlights the thoroughness of Babylon's conquest and the impact on Jerusalem's society, setting up the contrast between those exiled and those left behind.
  • By placing the baskets before the temple, the verse connects the vision directly to God's presence and authority, showing that what follows is not just Jeremiah's opinion but a divine message for the people.

Where else these words appear

“baskets” Hebrew H1736 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • Genesis 30:15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.
  • Genesis 30:16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

“Jeconiah” Hebrew H3204 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
  • Esther 2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
  • Jeremiah 28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

“smiths” Hebrew H4525 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
  • Psalms 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
  • Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

“set” Hebrew H3259 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
  • Numbers 14:35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
  • Nehemiah 6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.