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.

JEREMIAH 24:2KJV
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Jeremiah 24:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 24:2 mean?

Jeremiah 24:2 describes two baskets of figs placed before the temple: one basket contains very good, first-ripe figs, while the other basket holds figs so bad they cannot be eaten. The verse sets up a clear contrast between what is desirable and what is worthless.

The prophet Jeremiah is reporting what he sees in a vision from God, given during a time of national crisis for Judah. The two baskets of figs represent two groups of people, and this image will be explained further in the following verses. The scene takes place at the temple, highlighting the seriousness and spiritual significance of the message.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 24:2

  • "Very good" uses the Hebrew words מְאֹד (me'od, "very") and טוֹב (tov, "good"), emphasizing that these figs are not just acceptable but excellent and desirable.
  • "Naughty" comes from רַע (ra‘, "bad" or "evil"), and "bad" at the end uses רַעַ (ra‘a‘, "bad" in a stronger sense), showing that the second basket's figs are not just unpleasant but completely unfit for eating.
  • "Ripe" is בִּכּוּרָה (bikkurah, "first-ripe"), pointing to figs that are early, fresh, and especially valued.

Why Jeremiah 24:2 matters

  • The verse uses the image of figs to set up a symbolic message about the fate of different groups among the people of Judah, which Jeremiah will explain in the following verses.
  • The strong language for "very good" and "very bad" highlights the total difference between the two groups, leaving no middle ground.
  • Understanding the setting at the temple and the use of food imagery helps the reader see the seriousness of God's message and the importance of spiritual discernment in times of crisis.

Where else these words appear

“basket” Hebrew H1731 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
  • 2 Kings 10:7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.
  • Job 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.

“bad” Hebrew H7455 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
  • Jeremiah 24:8 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:

“figs” Hebrew H8384 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
  • Jeremiah 29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.