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
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and …
And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of …
And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss …
To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a …
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of …
And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to …
And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, …
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and …
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured …
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt …