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Jeremiah 24:9

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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.

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.

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;

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.

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

Commentary on Jeremiah 24:9 KJV

Jeremiah 24:9 is a potent declaration of God's judgment against those in Judah who refused to repent and submit to His will. This verse is part of a prophetic vision where God shows Jeremiah two baskets of figs, symbolizing two distinct groups of people and their respective fates.

Context: The Two Baskets of Figs

Chapter 24 of Jeremiah opens with the prophet seeing two baskets of figs placed before the temple, a vision given shortly after King Jehoiachin and many leading citizens had been carried into exile in Babylon (597 BC). One basket contained "very good figs," representing those who had already gone into exile. God declared that He would bless them and eventually bring them back to the land (Jeremiah 24:6-7). The other basket, from which our verse is taken, contained "very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad." These represented King Zedekiah, his officials, and the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah who stubbornly resisted God's word and Jeremiah's warnings.

Jeremiah 24:9 describes the severe fate awaiting these "bad figs." Their refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty and their persistent rebellion would lead to a devastating judgment that would culminate in their complete dispersion and humiliation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse highlights God's active role ("I will deliver them") in bringing about the severe consequences of Judah's disobedience. It underscores the biblical principle that rejecting God's covenant and commands leads to divine discipline. The phrase "for their hurt" emphasizes that this judgment is a direct result of their actions.
  • Exile and Dispersion: The prophecy foretells a widespread scattering "into all the kingdoms of the earth." This is a fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for national apostasy, where God warned that His people would be scattered among all peoples.
  • National Humiliation and Reproach: The phrase "a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse" vividly portrays the depth of their national disgrace. They would become an object of scorn and a cautionary tale among the nations, a public spectacle of God's judgment against a rebellious people. This echoes similar warnings, such as when Solomon's temple was prophesied to become a proverb and a byword if Israel departed from God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses four strong terms to describe the humiliation: "reproach" (Hebrew: cherpah, meaning shame, disgrace), "proverb" (Hebrew: mashal, a byword or parable, often used negatively), "taunt" (Hebrew: shninah, a sharp, piercing word of derision), and "curse" (Hebrew: qelalah, an execration or malediction). This layering of terms emphasizes the comprehensive and public nature of their humiliation. They would not just suffer privately, but their suffering would be a public display, serving as a warning to others about the consequences of disobedience to God.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 24:9 serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the serious consequences of persistent rebellion against His word. For believers today, it highlights several crucial points:

  1. Accountability: Nations and individuals are accountable to God. Rejecting His ways leads to inevitable consequences, though His judgment is always just and often redemptive in its ultimate purpose.
  2. The Importance of Repentance: The distinction between the "good figs" and "bad figs" underscores the critical difference between those who humbly submit to God's will (even in suffering) and those who harden their hearts.
  3. Warning for All Generations: The fate of Judah serves as a historical warning that God is sovereign and His commands are not to be taken lightly. We are called to heed His warnings and live in obedience, trusting in His wisdom and love.

While this verse speaks of severe judgment, it is part of a larger narrative in Jeremiah that also includes promises of restoration and hope for those who turn back to God, as seen in the future for the "good figs" (Jeremiah 29:10-14).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:37 (5 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 29:18 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    [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 (3 votes)

    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.