Jeremiah 24:9
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The two baskets of figs vision (Jeremiah 24) provides a theological evaluation of the different Judean groups following the 597 BCE deportation: the good figs (the exiles) represent those toward whom YHWH's future purpose is directed; the bad figs (those remaining) face further judgment. The punishment catalog — removal, reproach, proverb (mashal), taunt, and curse in all nations — reflects the deuteronomic curse-formulae of Deuteronomy 28:25, 37, grounding the oracle in the covenant's own threatened consequences. The reversal of expected theology here is significant: exile was normally interpreted as punishment while remaining in the land signified blessing; Jeremiah inverts this, making the exiles the chosen instrument of future restoration. This theological move prepared the exile community for the constructive theology of Jeremiah 29 and Second Isaiah.
Other Translations
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.
And I have given them for a trembling, For evil--to all kingdoms of the earth, For a reproach, and for a simile, For a byword, and for a reviling, In all the places whither I drive them.
I will give them up to be a cause of fear and of trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth; to be a name of shame and common talk and a cutting word and a curse in all the places wherever I will send them wandering.
Cross References
The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and …
And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee.
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the …
In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it …
Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I …
Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this …
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, …
Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.