Jeremiah 24

Two baskets of figs of opposite qualities are employed to represent the different fates of those who have submitted to Nebuchadrezzar, and have been taken by him to Babylon, where they shall be blessed (1-7), and of those who, remaining in their own land or going to Egypt, meditate resistance to him (8-10). Cp. xxxvii.; 2 Kings xxiv. 12, 20.

1 before the temple of the Lord. Probably as first-fruits for offerings: see Exod. xxiii. 19; Deut. xxvi. 2.

carpenters (“craftsmen,” R.V.) and smiths. The artisans were taken away partly for the service of the Chaldean monarch, and partly to deprive the Jews of the means of rebellion: see 1 Sam. xiii. 19, and note.

2 first ripe. The early figs were considered the best. There are three sorts of figs; the first, which is the fig here mentioned, comes to maturity about the middle or latter end of June: this is deemed a great delicacy (see Isa. xxviii. 4). The summer or dry fig is ripe about August; and the winter fig not till November.

naughty. i.e., “bad.”

8 them that dwell in the land of Egypt. Either taken captive by Necho, or fugitives from the Chaldeans.