Jeremiah 24:2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 24:2

Like the figs that are first ripe . The early spring fig was considered a special delicacy (comp. Isaiah 27:4 ; Hosea 9:10 ); " ficus praecox ," Pliny calls it ('Hist. Nat.,' 15.19, quoted by Trench). Tristram suggests that the "bad figs" were those of a sycamore tree. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 24:2

Fig-trees bear three crops of figs, of which the first is regarded as a great delicacy. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 24:2

Jeremiah 24:2. One basket had very good figs Dr. Shaw speaks of three sorts of figs; the first of which he calls “boccore, (being those here spoken of,) which come to maturity toward the middle or latter end of June; the second, the kermez, or summer fig, which ripens seldom before August; and the third, the winter fig. This is usually of a much longer shape, and dark complexion than the kermez, hanging and ripening upon the tree even after the leaves are shed; and, provided the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 24:1-10

Good and bad figs (24:1-10)On the occasion of Babylon’s attack on Jerusalem in 597 BC, the king Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) was taken captive to Babylon, along with the best of Judah’s people. The people that Babylon did not want were left in Judah and placed under the control of Zedekiah, the new king appointed by Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-17). Jeremiah’s vision of two baskets of figs was concerned with these events (24:1-3).The people left behind in Jerusalem thought that they had God’s approval,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 24:2

naughty = worth naught. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 24:2

Jeremiah 24:2. Like the figs that are first ripe— Dr. Shaw speaks of three sorts of figs; the first of which he calls the boccore, (being those here spoken of) which comes to maturity towards the middle or latter end of June; the second the kermez, or summer fig, which seldom ripens before August; and the third, which he calls the winter fig: this is usually of a much longer shape and darker complexion than the kermez, hanging and ripening upon the tree even after the leaves are shed; and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 24:2

2. figs . . . first ripe—the "boccora," or early fig (see on :-). Baskets of figs used to be offered as first-fruits in the temple. The good figs represent Jeconiah and the exiles in Babylon; the bad, Zedekiah and the obstinate Jews in Judea. They are called good and bad respectively, not in an absolute, but a comparative sense, and in reference to the punishment of the latter. This prophecy was designed to encourage the despairing exiles, and to reprove the people at home, who prided... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 24:2-3

In one basket there were very good figs, like the highly valued figs that matured in June (cf. Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10), and in the other there were such bad figs that no one could eat them. In Jeremiah’s day it was not uncommon for people to bring less than the best to the Lord. Jeremiah explained to the Lord what he saw, in answer to the Lord’s question. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 24:1-10

The Two Baskets of FigsThe evil figs were such of the people as had not been carried away with Jehoiachin to Babylon after the first siege of Jerusalem, 597 b.c., but had failed to draw any warning from the fate that had overtaken their brethren. Those who had been made captives, on the other hand, should yet be the subjects of God’s love and grace. The ripening time for both baskets was over, but here the likeness between them ceased.1. Carpenters] RV ’craftsmen,’ the most valuable captives.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Jeremiah 24:2

(2) Like the figs that are first ripe.—Figs were usually gathered in August. The “first ripe,” the “summer fruits” of Micah 7:1, the “hasty fruit before the summer” (Isaiah 28:4; Hosea 9:10) were looked upon as a choice delicacy. The “naughty” (i.e., worthless) fruits were those that had been left behind on the tree, bruised and decayed. The word was not confined in the 16th century to the language of the nursery, and was applied freely to things as well as persons. So North’s translation of... read more