Jeremiah 24:8

And as the euill figges which cannot be eaten, they are so euill; (Surely thus saith the Lord) so will I giue Zedekiah the king of Iudah, and his princes, and the residue of Ierusalem, that remaine in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt. Jeremiah 24:8 (KJV)

The book of Jeremiah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment and calling them to repentance. In this particular passage the prophet receives a vision of two baskets of figs, each representing a distinct group of people.

The good figs symbolize the exiles who were taken to Babylon. These individuals are described as good, indicating God’s favor and the promise of future restoration to the land. The contrast between the two baskets highlights the divergent destinies that await the faithful and the unfaithful.

The evil figs represent the people who remained in Judah and those who fled to Egypt. They are described as “so evil” that they cannot be eaten, signifying their corruption and unfaithfulness to God. The Lord declares that judgment will come upon them. The verse specifically mentions Zedekiah, the king of Judah, his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem that remain in the land, together with those who dwell in the land of Egypt, indicating that this group will experience the promised punishment.

Thus the vision underscores a stark division: the exiled faithful will be restored, while the corrupt remnant that stayed behind and sought refuge elsewhere will face divine judgment.