Jeremiah 24:5

KJV

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Like these good {H2896} figs {H8384}, so will I acknowledge {H5234} them that are carried away captive {H1546} of Judah {H3063}, whom I have sent {H7971} out of this place {H4725} into the land {H776} of the Chaldeans {H3778} for their good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is what ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'I will regard the exiles from Y'hudah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Kasdim, as good, just as I do these good figs.

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 24:5 delivers a profound and counter-intuitive oracle from the Lord, declaring that the Judeans already exiled to Babylon are likened to "good figs." This divine pronouncement reveals God's sovereign hand at work even amidst severe judgment, not merely in punishment but in a purposeful act intended for the ultimate spiritual good and future restoration of a faithful remnant. It sharply contrasts the fate of these exiles with those left in Jerusalem or who fled to Egypt, underscoring God's active discernment and redemptive intent within the unfolding historical calamity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 24 is strategically placed within the prophet's larger body of work, immediately following pronouncements of judgment against Judah and surrounding nations. This chapter serves as a crucial theological interpretation of the varying fates experienced by the Judean population during Nebuchadnezzar's invasions. The vision of the two baskets of figs, one "very good" and the other "very bad," is presented as a direct divine revelation, interpreting the historical reality of the first deportation in 597 BC and foreshadowing the subsequent, more devastating destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Verse 5 specifically focuses on the "good figs," representing King Jehoiachin and the initial wave of exiles, clearly distinguishing them from those who remained in Jerusalem, symbolized by the "bad figs" in [Jeremiah 24:8-10](/jeremiah/24-8-10 "Jeremiah 24:8-10 - The Bad Figs and Their Fate"). This distinction highlights God's active discernment and differential treatment within His comprehensive judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic vision in Jeremiah 24 occurs shortly after Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. This event led to the deportation of significant segments of Judean society, including King Jehoiachin, the royal family, nobles, skilled craftsmen, and many prominent citizens, to Babylon. This marked the initial phase of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national trauma. Jeremiah himself remained in Jerusalem, continuing to deliver God's messages to those left behind. Culturally, exile was universally perceived as the ultimate catastrophe, a clear sign of divine abandonment and national disgrace. However, this prophecy radically subverts that understanding, revealing God's surprising and redemptive purpose for the exiles. The "land of the Chaldeans" refers to Babylonia, the dominant imperial power of the era, to which God explicitly states He had "sent" His people, not arbitrarily, but with a specific, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive intent.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 24:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes pervasive in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores **God's Sovereign Purpose in Suffering**, demonstrating that even national calamity and the traumatic experience of exile are not outside of God's control but are divinely orchestrated instruments in His plan for purification and ultimate blessing. The phrase "whom I have sent out... for their good" is a radical theological claim, challenging human perceptions of misfortune and emphasizing God's active, purposeful involvement in the unfolding of history, a truth also powerfully articulated in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Discrimination and Favor Amidst Judgment**, revealing that God distinguishes between groups within His covenant people, showing specific favor and future plans for those who went into captivity, contrasting sharply with the severe judgment awaiting those who remained in rebellion against His will (cf. [Jeremiah 29:1-14](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah 29 - Letter to the Exiles")). Finally, it introduces a crucial theme of **Hope Amidst Despair**, transforming the seemingly hopeless situation of exile into an experience imbued with a divine, positive purpose, foreshadowing a future return and renewal of God's people, a promise that forms the core of Jeremiah's "Book of Consolation" (e.g., [Jeremiah 30-33](/jeremiah/30 "Jeremiah 30-33 - Book of Consolation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This word (H2896) is exceptionally rich, extending beyond mere moral uprightness to encompass that which is pleasing, beneficial, prosperous, and ultimately leads to a positive outcome. In this context, it signifies that the exiles, though in a state of punishment and profound loss, were considered by God to be the "good" portion, destined for well-being, spiritual formation, and a future of blessing. Their "good" was not an immediate comfort but a long-term, redemptive purpose, emphasizing God's ultimate design for their flourishing.
* **acknowledge (Hebrew, _nâkar'_):** The verb (H5234) implies more than simple recognition or a passing glance. It denotes a deep, personal scrutiny leading to a profound understanding, intimate care, and respectful regard. When God "acknowledges" them, it means He intimately knows their situation, actively cares for them, and has a specific, favorable disposition towards them, even in their foreign land. It suggests a divine commitment to their well-being and a recognition of their status as His chosen people, despite their dire circumstances.
* **carried away captive (Hebrew, _gâlûwth'_):** This term (H1546) refers to the state of exile itself or the exiles collectively. It vividly highlights their forced displacement, the traumatic loss of their homeland, the destruction of their temple, and the complete cessation of their political autonomy. Yet, within this context of profound loss and punishment, God radically redefines their status, declaring that this very group, the "captives," are the "good figs," thereby imbuing their suffering with divine purpose and hope rather than mere despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel;":** This authoritative opening formula establishes the divine origin and unassailable certainty of the message. It is not Jeremiah's personal interpretation or opinion, but a direct oracle from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing the absolute truth and profound significance of the pronouncement that follows. This reinforces the message's divine mandate and its binding nature.
* **"Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah,":** This clause introduces the central simile of the vision, directly comparing the exiles—those who have already suffered the trauma of deportation—to the "good figs" from Jeremiah's preceding vision. God explicitly states His intention to "acknowledge" or recognize them favorably, indicating a deep, caring, and purposeful engagement with their lives, setting them apart from those who remained in Jerusalem. This "acknowledgment" signifies divine favor and a commitment to their future.
* **"whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good.":** This is arguably the most striking and theologically profound part of the verse. God takes full, sovereign responsibility for their exile ("whom I have sent out"), radically reframing it not as a random misfortune, a consequence of human failure alone, or solely as punishment, but as a deliberate, divinely orchestrated act "for their good." This "good" refers to their spiritual purification, the preservation of a faithful remnant, and their eventual restoration, transforming the traumatic experience of exile into a divinely purposed crucible for future blessing and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Jeremiah 24:5 is **Simile**, where the exiles are directly and explicitly compared to "good figs." This comparison is visually vivid and immediately understandable within the context of the preceding vision (Jeremiah 24:1-3), making the abstract concept of divine favor concrete. The "good figs" themselves function as a powerful **Symbolism**, representing the portion of Judah that God views with favor, despite their circumstances, and for whom He has a redemptive plan. In stark contrast, the "bad figs" (Jeremiah 24:8-10) symbolize those destined for further, more severe judgment due to their persistent rebellion. The entire passage functions as a **Divine Oracle**, introduced by the authoritative and frequently used prophetic formula, "Thus saith the LORD," which lends immense weight, certainty, and divine authority to the prophecy. This declaration also contains elements of profound **Irony**, as the "good" are precisely those who have suffered the most immediate and visible punishment (exile), while those seemingly spared in Jerusalem are paradoxically deemed "bad" and face a far worse impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 24:5 profoundly reshapes the understanding of divine judgment and suffering, demonstrating that God's actions are always purposeful and ultimately redemptive for those He chooses to preserve. It reveals a God who is not only just in His punishment but also merciful, sovereign, and deeply committed to His covenant promises, using even the most devastating circumstances to refine and prepare His people for future blessing. This selective favor highlights God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, ensuring the continuity of His people and the eventual fulfillment of His promises, even through the crucible of exile. The "good" envisioned is not immediate comfort or worldly prosperity but a deeper spiritual formation, leading to repentance, purification, and eventual restoration, emphasizing God's long-term, redemptive perspective on His people's welfare.

* [Deuteronomy 8:16](/deuteronomy/8-16 "Deuteronomy 8:16 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")
* [Hebrews 12:10-11](/hebrews/12-10-11 "Hebrews 12:10-11 - Discipline for Our Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 24:5 offers profound comfort and a challenging, yet ultimately hopeful, perspective for believers today. It reminds us that God's definition of "good" often transcends our immediate circumstances, personal comfort, or worldly perceptions of success. Like the Judean exiles, we may experience seasons of hardship, displacement, loss, or suffering that feel like punishment or abandonment. This verse calls us to trust implicitly in God's overarching sovereignty, recognizing that He is actively involved in our lives, even when His methods are painful, counter-intuitive to our desires, or seem to contradict our understanding of His benevolence. It encourages us to search for His redemptive purpose in our trials, believing with unwavering faith that He is working all things—even the most difficult—for our ultimate spiritual good and His greater glory. This divine perspective fosters resilience in adversity, deepens our faith in His unseen hand, and cultivates a profound hope that looks beyond present difficulties to God's promised future, knowing that His plans for us are always for our ultimate welfare.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 24:5 challenge my understanding of "good" in the context of personal suffering or difficult circumstances, especially when God seems to be "sending" me through them?**
* **In what specific ways might God be "sending" me through a challenging season "for my good," even if I don't fully comprehend His purpose in the present moment?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign purpose and redemptive plan when facing situations that feel like judgment, abandonment, or profound loss?**

### FAQ

**Why would God consider the exiles "good figs" when exile was a punishment for sin?**

Answer: The designation of "good figs" for the exiles in [Jeremiah 24:5](/jeremiah/24-5 "Jeremiah 24:5 - The Good Figs") reveals God's nuanced, multi-faceted, and ultimately redemptive purpose within His judgment. While exile was indeed a severe consequence of Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against the covenant, God's sovereignty extends even to the execution of judgment. He chose to use the initial wave of exile as a means of preserving a faithful remnant and initiating a process of purification and spiritual renewal. The "goodness" attributed to these exiles was not necessarily their inherent moral perfection at the time of their deportation, but rather God's specific intention and future purpose for them. He saw them as the group through whom He would work His future plans of restoration and renewal, distinguishing them sharply from those left behind in Jerusalem or who fled to Egypt, whose hearts remained hardened and whose ultimate fate would be far worse (cf. [Jeremiah 24:8-10](/jeremiah/24-8-10 "Jeremiah 24:8-10 - The Bad Figs and Their Fate")). Thus, "good" here refers to their potential for future obedience, their receptiveness to God's discipline, and their essential role in God's ongoing covenant plan for a future Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 24:5, with its astonishing declaration that God sovereignly sent His people into exile "for their good," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "good figs" represent a remnant preserved through suffering for God's redemptive purposes, a theme that points directly to the new covenant established through Christ. Just as God sovereignly used the exile to purify and prepare His people, so too does He use the "suffering" and trials of this fallen world to draw people to Himself and refine those who follow Christ (cf. [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering Produces Perseverance")). Jesus Himself became the ultimate "good fig," the perfect and obedient Son, who was "sent" by God the Father into the world, enduring the ultimate "exile" from heavenly glory and suffering on the cross "for our good" (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") and [1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins")). Through His sacrificial death, He took upon Himself the judgment due to humanity, offering reconciliation, forgiveness, and a new spiritual "land" of belonging in the Kingdom of God. The "acknowledgment" God promised to the exiles is fully realized in Christ, who intimately knows His own (cf. [John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus Knows His Sheep")) and promises ultimate restoration and eternal good to all who are "carried away captive" by faith into His body, the Church (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with Saints")). The hope of return and renewal for the exiles foreshadows the greater hope of resurrection and eternal life with God, secured by Christ's decisive victory over sin and death (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

Nahum 1:7

The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Matthew 25:12

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Galatians 4:9

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Psalms 119:67

¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psalms 94:12

¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;