Jeremiah 24:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God will scatter them throughout all nations, making them objects of shame, mockery, and cursing wherever they are driven.
The Context of Jeremiah 24:9
Their judgment includes dispersal and universal contempt.
What Does Jeremiah 24:9 Mean?
The judgment is dispersal and degradation. Unlike the exiles in Babylon, who remain as a community with hope of return, these evil figs will be 'removed into all the kingdoms of the earth'—scattered, homeless, without the unity or direction that characterizes the exiled elite. Their removal is explicitly 'for their hurt,' emphasizing harm rather than redemptive purpose.
The social consequences are dire: they become 'a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse.' To be a proverb or taunt is to become a byword, an example cited in mockery. Being a curse means others invoke their name to wish evil upon someone else. This is not merely physical suffering but social death—erasure from memory, association with failure and shame wherever they are driven.
Jeremiah 24:9 in the Original Language
nataq (נָתַק), 'removed' — to uproot, tear away; emphasizes the violent, permanent nature of their scattering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 24:9
What does Jeremiah 24:9 mean?
God will scatter them throughout all nations, making them objects of shame, mockery, and cursing wherever they are driven.
What is the context of Jeremiah 24:9?
Their judgment includes dispersal and universal contempt.