Jeremiah 24:1

CHAPTER XXIV

Under the emblem of the good and bad figs is represented the

fate of the Jews already gone into captivity with Jeconiah,

and of those that remained still in their own country with

Zedekiah. It is likewise intimated that God would deal kindly

with the former, but that his wrath would still pursue the

latter, 1-10.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXIV

Verse Jeremiah 24:1. The Lord showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs] Besides the transposition of whole chapters in this book, there is not unfrequently a transposition of verses, and parts of verses. Of this we have an instance in the verse before us; the first clause of which should be the last. Thus: -

"After that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord."

Ver. Jeremiah 24:2. "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."

This arrangement restores these verses to a better sense, by restoring the natural connexion.

This prophecy was undoubtedly delivered in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah.

Under the type of good and bad figs, God represents the state of the persons who had already been carried captives into Babylon, with their king Jeconiah, compared with the state of those who should be carried away with Zedekiah. Those already carried away, being the choice of the people, are represented by the good figs: those now remaining, and soon to be carried into captivity, are represented by the bad figs, that were good for nothing. The state also of the former in their captivity was vastly preferable to the state of those who were now about to be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. The latter would be treated as double rebels; the former, being the most respectable of the inhabitants, were treated well; and even in captivity, a marked distinction would be made between them, God ordering it so. But the prophet sufficiently explains his own meaning.

Set before the temple] As an offering of the first-fruits of that kind.