Jeremiah 24:9

KJV

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will deliver {H5414} them to be removed {H2189}{H2113} into all the kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776} for their hurt {H7451}, to be a reproach {H2781} and a proverb {H4912}, a taunt {H8148} and a curse {H7045}, in all places {H4725} whither I shall drive {H5080} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everywhere I drive them I will make them an object of horror, repulsive to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, a byword, a laughingstock and a curse;

Berean Standard Bible

I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them.

American Standard Version

I will even give them up to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 24:9 delivers a stark divine pronouncement of judgment against the unrepentant remnant of Judah, metaphorically depicted as "bad figs." This verse foretells their comprehensive dispersion across all nations, where they would suffer profoundly and become a public spectacle of humiliation, a byword, a derisive taunt, and an object of malediction among the peoples, serving as an enduring testament to the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to God's covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 24 is strategically placed immediately following the pivotal event of King Jehoiachin's exile to Babylon in 597 BC, a moment that marked a significant turning point in Judah's history. The chapter opens with Jeremiah's vivid vision of two baskets of figs positioned before the temple, a powerful **allegory** designed to distinguish between two distinct groups within the nation of Judah. The "very good figs" are identified as those already in exile with Jehoiachin, to whom God extends a promise of future restoration, blessing, and a renewed heart ([Jeremiah 24:5-7](/jeremiah/24-5-7 "Jeremiah 24:5-7 - God's Promise to the Good Figs")). In stark contrast, the "very naughty figs," from which [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - The Dire Fate of the Bad Figs") derives its focus, symbolize King Zedekiah, his officials, and the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah who stubbornly refused to heed Jeremiah's prophetic warnings to repent and submit to Babylon. Consequently, this verse functions as the solemn declaration of judgment specifically directed at this unyielding faction, presenting a grim counterpoint to the hopeful future offered to the exiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this prophecy is the tumultuous period leading up to the final, devastating destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian empire in 586 BC. Following the first Babylonian siege and the initial exile of Jehoiachin, many within Jerusalem clung to a dangerous delusion of imminent return and resisted any notion of further divine judgment or submission to foreign rule. Jeremiah's message directly challenged this false sense of security, asserting that the Babylonian conquest was not merely a political event but a divinely orchestrated act of discipline. Culturally, to be reduced to a "reproach," "proverb," "taunt," and "curse" carried immense weight in the ancient Near East. It signified a profound loss of national honor, status, and identity, transforming a people from a respected entity into an object of scorn and a cautionary tale for surrounding nations. This public humiliation directly fulfilled ancient covenant curses, particularly those articulated in foundational texts like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - The Judgment on Unrepentant Judah") is rich with several overarching themes that resonate throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty** is paramount, as God explicitly declares, "I will deliver them" and "I shall drive them," underscoring His active and authoritative role in orchestrating the consequences of Judah's rebellion. Secondly, **Covenant Disobedience and its Consequences** is a central motif; Judah's persistent rejection of God's covenant stipulations leads directly to the promised curses, specifically exile and widespread dispersion. This judgment is not arbitrary but is explicitly stated to be "for their hurt," a direct and just outcome of their own actions. Thirdly, **Exile and Dispersion** are presented as the primary mechanisms of this judgment, a scattering "into all the kingdoms of the earth," emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of their punishment. Finally, the theme of **National Humiliation and Reproach** highlights the deep disgrace that would befall Judah, transforming them from God's chosen people into a public spectacle of divine wrath, serving as a dire warning to all who would witness their downfall.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **removed (Hebrew, _zaʻăvâh'_):** From H2189, meaning "agitation, maltreatment." This word vividly conveys a state of being violently agitated, troubled, or forcibly driven away. It signifies more than mere physical displacement; it implies a profound uprooting and subjection to severe disturbance and distress, reflecting deep internal and national turmoil rather than a peaceful relocation.
* **reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** From H2781, meaning "contumely, disgrace, shame." This term denotes a deep and public dishonor, a state of being scorned, reviled, and held in utter contempt. It speaks to the catastrophic loss of reputation and dignity, where the very name of Judah would evoke feelings of shame and derision among other nations, rather than respect, awe, or fear.
* **curse (Hebrew, _qᵉlâlâh'_):** From H7045, meaning "vilification; (ac-) curse(-d, -ing)." This term signifies a formal pronouncement of evil or condemnation. To become a "curse" means to be an object upon whom divine judgment has visibly and unmistakably fallen, so much so that other peoples would use their tragic fate as a quintessential example of what happens when one defiantly disobeys God, often invoking their name in imprecations or as a byword for misfortune.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt,"**: This opening clause unequivocally asserts God's sovereign agency and active involvement in the impending judgment. The phrase "I will deliver them" (H5414, _nâthan'_) signifies handing them over, not for rescue, but for the purpose of punishment and severe consequence. They are to be "removed" (H2189, _zaʻăvâh'_), indicating a violent, unsettling, and distressing expulsion. The scope of this judgment is global – "into all the kingdoms (H4467, _mamlâkâh'_) of the earth (H776, _ʼerets'_)" – signifying a comprehensive, inescapable, and widespread scattering. The crucial phrase "for their hurt" (H7451, _raʻ'_) makes it abundantly clear that this suffering is a direct, just, and deserved consequence of their own persistent wickedness, rebellion, and refusal to repent, rather than an arbitrary act of divine wrath.
* **"[to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse,"**: This segment meticulously details the nature and profound depth of their public humiliation. The four terms form a powerful and cumulative **litany**, emphasizing the public, enduring, and comprehensive nature of their disgrace. They would become an object of "reproach" (H2781, _cherpâh'_), signifying public shame, scorn, and disgrace; a "proverb" (H4912, _mâshâl'_), meaning a byword or a cautionary tale cited by others; a "taunt" (H8148, _shᵉnîynâh'_), a sharp, cutting remark of derision and mockery; and a "curse" (H7045, _qᵉlâlâh'_), an object of malediction, a living example of divine wrath, and a name invoked in imprecations. This is not merely suffering, but a public, humiliating, and lasting spectacle of divine judgment.
* **"in all places whither I shall drive them."**: This concluding phrase powerfully reiterates God's active and personal role in their dispersion, emphasizing the inescapable nature of their fate. "All places" (H4725, _mâqôwm'_) underscores the universality of their judgment, mirroring and reinforcing the earlier phrase "all the kingdoms of the earth." The verb "drive" (H5080, _nâdach'_) connotes a forceful, irresistible expulsion, leaving no doubt that their ultimate destiny is divinely ordained and utterly unavoidable, regardless of where they might attempt to flee or hide.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 24:9 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound severity and certainty of God's judgment. Most prominent is **Parallelism**, particularly evident in the quartet of terms: "a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse." This creates a powerful cumulative effect, intensifying the sense of public humiliation and disgrace. Each term, while possessing its own distinct nuance, powerfully reinforces the others, painting a comprehensive and inescapable picture of national ignominy. There is also a strong emphasis on **Divine Agency**, with God repeatedly using first-person declarations such as "I will deliver" and "I shall drive." This consistent emphasis on His direct involvement underscores His absolute sovereignty and active orchestration of these consequences, imbuing the prophecy with an undeniable sense of certainty and inevitability. Furthermore, the verse functions as a stark **Prophetic Warning**, utilizing vivid, declarative language not merely to predict a future event but to impress upon the audience the dire and unavoidable outcome of their continued rebellion, thereby serving as both a pronouncement of judgment and an urgent, albeit implicit, call to repentance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 24:9 powerfully articulates the foundational theological principle that God is utterly sovereign over all nations and holds His covenant people strictly accountable for their faithfulness. It underscores the profound severity of divine judgment when His warnings are persistently ignored and His sacred covenant is defiantly broken. This judgment is never arbitrary but is consistently portrayed as a righteous and just consequence for deep-seated rebellion, idolatry, and unrepentant sin, thereby demonstrating God's unwavering holiness and His absolute commitment to His word, whether it be in promises of blessing or pronouncements of curse. The widespread dispersion and profound humiliation described here are a direct and undeniable fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in the Mosaic covenant, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), serving as a stark and enduring reminder that God's promises and His threats are equally sure and will be brought to pass.

* [Deuteronomy 28:37](/deuteronomy/28-37 "Deuteronomy 28:37 - Israel a Byword Among Nations")
* [1 Kings 9:7](/1_kings/9-7 "1 Kings 9:7 - Solomon's Temple a Proverb")
* [Lamentations 2:15-16](/lamentations/2-15-16 "Lamentations 2:15-16 - Nations Taunting Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 24:9 stands as a timeless and profoundly sobering reminder of the gravity of persistent disobedience to God's revealed word. For believers today, it serves as a powerful and urgent call to cultivate humility, embrace genuine repentance, and commit to faithful obedience. It teaches us unequivocally that God is not to be trifled with; His warnings are serious, and His justice is absolutely sure. While we now live under the grace of the New Covenant, the underlying spiritual principle remains: a deliberate and hardened rejection of God's revealed will and a stubborn refusal to heed His truth will inevitably lead to painful and destructive consequences, both personally and corporately. This verse challenges us to engage in honest self-examination: Are we among the "good figs" who, even in the midst of adversity, earnestly seek God's will and humbly submit to His refining hand, or are we, like the "bad figs," stubbornly resisting His call to repentance and transformative change? Our response to God's word fundamentally determines our spiritual trajectory, and the ultimate "hurt" of separation from Him is a fate to be earnestly and prayerfully avoided at all costs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be exhibiting stubborn resistance to God's revealed will, mirroring the attitude of the "bad figs" of Judah?**
* **How does the concept of becoming a "reproach and a proverb" challenge my understanding of my public witness and accountability as a follower of Christ?**
* **What concrete steps can I take to cultivate a heart of humble submission and eager responsiveness to God's word, especially when His commands are difficult or counter-cultural?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment, so vividly portrayed in this verse, deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy and unmerited grace extended to us through Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why does God inflict such harsh judgment on His own people?**

Answer: God's judgment, though undeniably severe, is always righteous, just, and deeply rooted in His holy character and His unwavering covenant faithfulness. In the specific case of Judah, the judgment described in [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - God's Judgment on Unrepentant Judah") was a direct and cumulative consequence of centuries of persistent rebellion, widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a hardened refusal to repent, despite numerous and repeated prophetic warnings. It was a clear fulfillment of the curses explicitly outlined in the Mosaic covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")), which God had forewarned would befall Israel if they abandoned Him and His ways. This judgment, while profoundly painful, served multiple divine purposes: to purify a faithful remnant, to demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty and holiness to the surrounding nations, and ultimately, to prepare the way for a future spiritual restoration.

**Who are the "good figs" and "bad figs" in Jeremiah 24?**

Answer: In [Jeremiah 24](/jeremiah/24 "Jeremiah 24 - The Vision of the Two Baskets of Figs"), the "good figs" represent the exiles who had already been carried away to Babylon with King Jehoiachin in 597 BC. God declared that He would watch over them for good, bring them back to the land of Israel, and give them a new heart to truly know Him ([Jeremiah 24:5-7](/jeremiah/24-5-7 "Jeremiah 24:5-7 - God's Promise to the Good Figs")). These were the ones who, despite their suffering in exile, were humbled by their circumstances and remained open to God's future redemptive plans. Conversely, the "bad figs" represent King Zedekiah, his officials, and the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah who stubbornly refused to repent, actively resisted Jeremiah's prophecies of submission to Babylon, and clung to false hopes of deliverance from the Babylonian threat. [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - The Fate of the Bad Figs") precisely describes the severe and inescapable judgment awaiting this unrepentant group.

**Is this judgment permanent, or is there hope for restoration for those who become a "reproach and a proverb"?**

Answer: While [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - The Severity of Judgment") indeed describes a comprehensive and devastating judgment, it is crucial to interpret it within the broader theological context of Jeremiah's entire prophecy and God's overarching redemptive plan for His people. For the specific generation described as "bad figs," the immediate judgment was undeniably severe, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and further exile. However, Jeremiah's message is not solely one of doom; it also contains powerful and hopeful promises of future restoration for a repentant remnant of Israel (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Plans for Hope and a Future")). God's ultimate plan for His people included a return from exile and a profound spiritual renewal, demonstrating that even the most severe judgment can be a necessary part of a redemptive process, ultimately leading to future hope and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 24:9, with its stark and somber portrayal of a people delivered to be a "reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse," finds its most profound and redemptive Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and atoning work of Jesus Christ. While Judah, as the "bad figs," bore the just curse of their covenant disobedience, Jesus Christ, the ultimate "good fig" who perfectly embodied and fulfilled the Father's will in every respect, willingly became the ultimate "curse" for humanity. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") powerfully declares that "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." He, who was utterly without sin, became sin on our behalf ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), enduring the ultimate "hurt" and "reproach" upon the cross. This public spectacle of humiliation and suffering was the means by which we, who were under the curse of sin and judgment, might receive the blessing of reconciliation with God and eternal life. Furthermore, the dispersion prophesied in [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - The Scattering of the Unrepentant") highlights the brokenness and scattering caused by sin, which separates humanity from God and from one another. Yet, Jesus came precisely to gather together the scattered children of God ([John 11:52](/john/11-52 "John 11:52 - Jesus to Gather the Scattered Children of God")), tearing down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile and uniting all who believe into one new humanity in Himself ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the curse that we might inherit the blessing of Abraham and the promised Spirit. Thus, what was a terrifying prophecy of judgment for unrepentant Judah becomes, in the glorious light of Christ, a profound testament to God's redemptive power, transforming judgment into grace and curse into eternal blessing for all who are found in Him.

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

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

Jeremiah 29:18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

Jeremiah 15:4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 34:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Jeremiah 25:18

[To wit], Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as [it is] this day;

Deuteronomy 28:25

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.