Date of the Jewish Return to Israel

The return of the Jews to modern Israel caps one prophetic story in the Bible. When was it to happen? What Bible year from Adam must we be in now?

Background

Contrary to much popular opinion the Bible contains a clear prediction of when the Jews would return to the modern nation of Israel. Our point here is to explore the dates behind that return.

This is the most important of the Gentile dates because until this event no other Bible dates can be known with certainty.

When Jesus told his disciples that not even He himself knew when he was coming back, and then told them to watch for the sign of the figtree, he was revealing that this was the central event that had to be witnessed before any other End-Times dates could be known.

We are setting out to explore the predicted years of the Jewish return to modern Israel. These predicted years will be known on both the Bible's calendar, the Temple Calendar, and in modern history. This will allow our first triangulation between Biblical years and Modern years.

Even without the accurate Temple Calendar, the return of the Jews to the modern nation of Israel will be shown to be accurate to within 0.04%. Once shown, we will reverse the process and define the relationship between the Biblical and modern calendars, eventually reducing the error to zero.

Not until we have the day-for-a-year map figured out can we narrow the alignment between the ancient Temple Calendar and the modern Gregorian calendar. At that point the precision of the alignment will go from year accuracy to day accuracy.

We look to Jesus, and his words about the return of the Jews to Israel, what He called the "Fig Tree Sign." He was referencing a story in Jeremiah, a story we look to next.

Good Figs, Bad Figs

Near the end of the time of the monarchy, God spoke a word through Jeremiah, the prophet. In that word God told Jeremiah that he was now going to be dealing favorably with those who went down to Babylon, not those who stayed in Jerusalem.

The following is the relavent passage.

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1הִרְאַנִי֮ יְהוָה֒ וְהִנֵּ֗ה שְׁנֵי֙ דּוּדָאֵ֣י תְאֵנִ֔ים מוּעָדִ֕ים לִפְנֵ֖י הֵיכַ֣ל יְהוָ֑ה אַחֲרֵ֣י הַגְל֣וֹת נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֡ל אֶת־ יְכָנְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־ יְהוֹיָקִ֣ים מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָה֩ וְאֶת־ שָׂרֵ֨י יְהוּדָ֜ה וְאֶת־ הֶחָרָ֤שׁ וְאֶת־ הַמַּסְגֵּר֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַיְבִאֵ֖ם בָּבֶֽל׃ 2הַדּ֣וּד אֶחָ֗ד תְּאֵנִים֙ טֹב֣וֹת מְאֹ֔ד כִּתְאֵנֵ֖י הַבַּכֻּר֑וֹת וְהַדּ֣וּד אֶחָ֗ד תְּאֵנִים֙ רָע֣וֹת מְאֹ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ תֵֽאָכַ֖לְנָה מֵרֹֽעַ׃

3וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י מָֽה־ אַתָּ֤ה רֹאֶה֙ יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ וָאֹמַ֖ר תְּאֵנִ֑ים הַתְּאֵנִ֤ים הַטֹּבוֹת֙ טֹב֣וֹת מְאֹ֔ד וְהָֽרָעוֹת֙ רָע֣וֹת מְאֹ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה מֵרֹֽעַ׃

4וַיְהִ֥י דְבַר־ יְהוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥י לֵאמֹֽר׃ 5כֹּֽה־ אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כַּתְּאֵנִ֥ים הַטֹּב֖וֹת הָאֵ֑לֶּה כֵּֽן־ אַכִּ֞יר אֶת־ גָּל֣וּת יְהוּדָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר שִׁלַּ֜חְתִּי מִן־ הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה אֶ֥רֶץ כַּשְׂדִּ֖ים לְטוֹבָֽה׃ 6וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י עֵינִ֤י עֲלֵיהֶם֙ לְטוֹבָ֔ה וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֖ים עַל־ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וּבְנִיתִים֙ וְלֹ֣א אֶהֱרֹ֔ס וּנְטַעְתִּ֖ים וְלֹ֥א אֶתּֽוֹשׁ׃ 7וְנָתַתִּי֩ לָהֶ֨ם לֵ֜ב לָדַ֣עַת אֹתִ֗י כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְהָיוּ־ לִ֣י לְעָ֔ם וְאָ֣נֹכִ֔י אֶהְיֶ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים כִּֽי־ יָשֻׁ֥בוּ אֵלַ֖י בְּכָל־ לִבָּֽם׃

8וְכַתְּאֵנִים֙ הָֽרָע֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ תֵאָכַ֖לְנָה מֵרֹ֑עַ כִּי־ כֹ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה כֵּ֣ן אֶ֠תֵּן אֶת־ צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָ֤ה וְאֶת־ שָׂרָיו֙ וְאֵ֣ת׀ שְׁאֵרִ֣ית יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙ בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את וְהַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ 9וּנְתַתִּים֙ לְרָעָ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ לְחֶרְפָּ֤ה וּלְמָשָׁל֙ לִשְׁנִינָ֣ה וְלִקְלָלָ֔ה בְּכָל־ הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת אֲשֶֽׁר־ אַדִּיחֵ֥ם שָֽׁם׃ 10וְשִׁלַּ֣חְתִּי בָ֔ם אֶת־ הַחֶ֖רֶב אֶת־ הָרָעָ֣ב וְאֶת־ הַדָּ֑בֶר עַד־ תֻּמָּם֙ מֵעַ֣ל הָאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־ נָתַ֥תִּי לָהֶ֖ם וְלַאֲבוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (WLC)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

4Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. 6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

8And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: 9And 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. 10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.(KJV)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, 2 baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 21 basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

4Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. 6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

8And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: 9And 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. 10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.(KJV/NC)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1Jehovah showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3Then said Jehovah unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad. 4And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 5Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good. 6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. 8And as the bad figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad, surely thus saith Jehovah, So will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt, 9I 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. 10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.(ASV)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1AFTER Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with the craftsmen and the soldiers, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me, and, behold two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD. 2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, so that they could not be eaten, because they were so bad. 3Then the LORD said to me, What do you see, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad figs, very bad, so that they cannot be eaten because they are so bad. 4Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place to the land of the Chaldeans for their good. 6For I will set my eyes upon them for good and not for evil, says the LORD, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them and not overthrow them; and I will plant them and not pluck them up. 7And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God when they shall return to me with their whole heart. 8And like the bad figs which cannot be eaten because they are so bad; thus says the LORD, So will I deliver Zedekiah the king of Judah and his princes and the remnant of the people who are left in this city together with those who dwell in the land of Egypt; 9And I will make them a horror, an abomination and an evil thing, a reproach in all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a proverb, a taunt, and a curse in all the lands where I have driven them. 10And I will send after them the sword, famine, and pestilence, till I shall destroy them off the land which I gave to them and to their fathers. (LAM)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1After Nebuchadrez'zar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconi'ah the son of Jehoi'akim, king of Judah, together with the princes of Judah, the craftsmen, and the smiths, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me this vision: Behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the LORD. 2One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. 3And the LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten."

4Then the word of the LORD came to me: 5"Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chalde'ans. 6I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them. 7I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

8"But thus says the LORD: Like the bad figs which are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedeki'ah the king of Judah, his princes, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. 9I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. 10And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land which I gave to them and their fathers."(RSV)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1After Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the craftsmen and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. 2One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten.

3Then the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" "Figs," I answered. "The good ones are very good, but the poor ones are so bad they cannot be eaten."

4Then the word of the LORD came to me: 5"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. 6My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

8"`But like the poor figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,' says the LORD, `so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt. 9I will make them abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, an object of ridicule and cursing, wherever I banish them. 10I will send the sword, famine and plague against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their fathers.'"(NIV)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1Yahweh shown me, and, behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of Yahweh, after that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3Then said Yahweh to me, What see you, Jeremiah? I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that can't be eaten, they are so bad. 4The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 5Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good. 6For I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahweh: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return to me with their whole heart. 8As the bad figs, which can't be eaten, they are so bad, surely thus says Yahweh, So will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt, 9I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. 10I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, until they be consumed from off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.(WEB)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1The LORD showed me, and behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. 2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. 3Then said the LORD to me, What see you, Jeremiah? I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that can't be eaten, they are so bad. 4The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good. 6For I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return to me with their whole heart. 8As the bad figs, which can't be eaten, they are so bad, surely thus says the LORD, So will I give up Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt, 9I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. 10I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, until they be consumed from off the land that I gave to them and to their fathers.(WEB/HNV)

14 Jeremiah 24:1-10 1AFTER Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with the craftsmen and the soldiers, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, Yahvah showed me, and look 2 baskets of figs were set before the temple of Yahvah. 2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, so that they could not be eaten, because they were so bad. 3Then Yahvah said to me, What do you see, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad figs, very bad, so that they cannot be eaten because they are so bad. 4Again the word of Yahvah came to me, saying, 5Thus says Yahvah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will acknowledge the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place to the land of the Chaldeans for their good. 6For I will set my eyes on them for good and not for evil, says Yahvah, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them and not overthrow them; and I will plant them and not pluck them up. 7And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahvah; and they will be my people, and I will be their God when they will return to me with their whole heart. 8And like the bad figs which cannot be eaten because they are so bad; thus says Yahvah, So I will deliver Zedekiah the king of Judah and his princes and the remnant of the people who are left in this city together with those who live in the land of Egypt; 9And I will make them a horror, an abomination and an evil thing, a disgrace in all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a disgrace, a proverb, a taunt, and a curse in all the lands where I have driven them. 10And I will send after them the sword, famine, and pestilence, until I destroy them off the land which I gave to them and to their fathers. (BRB)

In this passage the people of Judah are likened to figs, those who stay in Jerusalem as bad figs, those who go on to Babylon as good figs.

This may have seemed like a surprise, or harsh, to those who heard this word, indeed, various arguments were proposed to the prophets as to why God just did not work this way, but indeed, God's plan was to send these people into exile in Babylon.

Why?

Because God keeps his word, and when he had given the Law to Moses on mount Sinai, he had said he would do this if they did not keep their side of God's bargain with them.

Broken Law

When God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he began to form them into an independent country. Part of doing this was to give them a Law, directly from God, that was to govern how the nation was to be.

That Law consisted of 10 base rules, called the 10 commandments, that anyone could easily learn, followed by a canon of law that governed more intricate details of the country's legal environment.

Jesus later summarized these laws as having two parts, 1) To love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul and mind. and 2) to love your neighbor as yourself.

If the nation kept the laws found in this canon, God would keep his part of an agreement he entered into with them at mount Sinai, and that was to watch over and protect them, and among other things to allow them to stay in the land, the land promised to Abraham on oath.

If they did not keep this law, then the nation would undergo punishment. The following is the relevant half chapter from Leviticus regarding the punishment they would undergo. Note the relavent chronological elements to this punishment are highlighted here in blue.

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14וְאִם־ לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְלֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כָּל־ הַמִּצְוֹ֖ת הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ 15וְאִם־ בְּחֻקֹּתַ֣י תִּמְאָ֔סוּ וְאִ֥ם אֶת־ מִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּגְעַ֣ל נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם לְבִלְתִּ֤י עֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־ כָּל־ מִצְוֹתַ֔י לְהַפְרְכֶ֖ם אֶת־ בְּרִיתִֽי׃ 16אַף־ אֲנִ֞י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ זֹּ֣את לָכֶ֗ם וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם בֶּֽהָלָה֙ אֶת־ הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת וְאֶת־ הַקַּדַּ֔חַת מְכַלּ֥וֹת עֵינַ֖יִם וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם לָרִיק֙ זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ 17וְנָתַתִּ֤י פָנַי֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְנִגַּפְתֶּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְרָד֤וּ בָכֶם֙ שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔ם וְנַסְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵין־ רֹדֵ֥ף אֶתְכֶֽם׃

18וְאִ֨ם־ עַד־ אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְיָסַפְתִּי֙ לְיַסְּרָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם שֶׁ֖בַע עַל־ חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם׃ 19וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֖י אֶת־ גְּא֣וֹן עֻזְּכֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת־ שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶֽת־ אַרְצְכֶ֖ם כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁה׃ 20וְתַ֥ם לָרִ֖יק כֹּחֲכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־ תִתֵּ֤ן אַרְצְכֶם֙ אֶת־ יְבוּלָ֔הּ וְעֵ֣ץ הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יִתֵּ֖ן פִּרְיֽוֹ׃ 21וְאִם־ תֵּֽלְכ֤וּ עִמִּי֙ קֶ֔רִי וְלֹ֥א תֹאב֖וּ לִשְׁמֹ֣עַֽ לִ֑י וְיָסַפְתִּ֤י עֲלֵיכֶם֙ מַכָּ֔ה שֶׁ֖בַע כְּחַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם׃ 22וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֨י בָכֶ֜ם אֶת־ חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְשִׁכְּלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִכְרִ֙יתָה֙ אֶת־ בְּהֶמְתְּכֶ֔ם וְהִמְעִ֖יטָה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּ דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם׃ 23וְאִ֨ם־ בְּאֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א תִוָּסְר֖וּ לִ֑י וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥ם עִמִּ֖י קֶֽרִי׃ 24וְהָלַכְתִּ֧י אַף־ אֲנִ֛י עִמָּכֶ֖ם בְּקֶ֑רִי וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ גַּם־ אָ֔נִי שֶׁ֖בַע עַל־ חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם׃ 25וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם חֶ֗רֶב נֹקֶ֙מֶת֙ נְקַם־ בְּרִ֔ית וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶל־ עָרֵיכֶ֑ם וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּי דֶ֙בֶר֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְנִתַּתֶּ֖ם בְּיַד־ אוֹיֵֽב׃ 26בְּשִׁבְרִ֣י לָכֶם֮ מַטֵּה־ לֶחֶם֒ וְ֠אָפוּ עֶ֣שֶׂר נָשִׁ֤ים לַחְמְכֶם֙ בְּתַנּ֣וּר אֶחָ֔ד וְהֵשִׁ֥יבוּ לַחְמְכֶ֖ם בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑ל וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖ם וְלֹ֥א תִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃

27וְאִ֨ם־ בְּזֹ֔את לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥ם עִמִּ֖י בְּקֶֽרִי׃ 28וְהָלַכְתִּ֥י עִמָּכֶ֖ם בַּחֲמַת־ קֶ֑רִי וְיִסַּרְתִּ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ אַף־ אָ֔נִי שֶׁ֖בַע עַל־ חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם׃ 29וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖ם בְּשַׂ֣ר בְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וּבְשַׂ֥ר בְּנֹתֵיכֶ֖ם תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃ 30וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּ֞י אֶת־ בָּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם וְהִכְרַתִּי֙ אֶת־ חַמָּ֣נֵיכֶ֔ם וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ אֶת־ פִּגְרֵיכֶ֔ם עַל־ פִּגְרֵ֖י גִּלּוּלֵיכֶ֑ם וְגָעֲלָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י אֶתְכֶֽם׃ 31וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת־ עָֽרֵיכֶם֙ חָרְבָּ֔ה וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִ֖י אֶת־ מִקְדְּשֵׁיכֶ֑ם וְלֹ֣א אָרִ֔יחַ בְּרֵ֖יחַ נִיחֹֽחֲכֶֽם׃ 32וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥י אֲנִ֖י אֶת־ הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֔ם הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בָּֽהּ׃ 33וְאֶתְכֶם֙ אֱזָרֶ֣ה בַגּוֹיִ֔ם וַהֲרִיקֹתִ֥י אַחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם חָ֑רֶב וְהָיְתָ֤ה אַרְצְכֶם֙ שְׁמָמָ֔ה וְעָרֵיכֶ֖ם יִהְי֥וּ חָרְבָּֽה׃ 34אָז֩ תִּרְצֶ֨ה הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־ שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י הֳשַׁמָּ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אָ֚ז תִּשְׁבַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ וְהִרְצָ֖ת אֶת־ שַׁבְּתֹתֶֽיהָ׃ 35כָּל־ יְמֵ֥י הָשַּׁמָּ֖ה תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־ שָׁבְתָ֛ה בְּשַׁבְּתֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בְּשִׁבְתְּכֶ֥ם עָלֶֽיהָ׃ 36וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים בָּכֶ֔ם וְהֵבֵ֤אתִי מֹ֙רֶךְ֙ בִּלְבָבָ֔ם בְּאַרְצֹ֖ת אֹיְבֵיהֶ֑ם וְרָדַ֣ף אֹתָ֗ם ק֚וֹל עָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֔ף וְנָס֧וּ מְנֻֽסַת־ חֶ֛רֶב וְנָפְל֖וּ וְאֵ֥ין רֹדֵֽף׃ 37וְכָשְׁל֧וּ אִישׁ־ בְּאָחִ֛יו כְּמִפְּנֵי־ חֶ֖רֶב וְרֹדֵ֣ף אָ֑יִן וְלֹא־ תִֽהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ תְּקוּמָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ 38וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֖ם בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם וְאָכְלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֶ֖רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם׃ 39וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים בָּכֶ֗ם יִמַּ֙קּוּ֙ בַּֽעֲוֹנָ֔ם בְּאַרְצֹ֖ת אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְאַ֛ף בַּעֲוֹנֹ֥ת אֲבֹתָ֖ם אִתָּ֥ם יִמָּֽקּוּ׃ (WLC)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

21And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate. 23And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 35As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 36And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. (KJV)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you 7 times more for your sins. 19And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

21And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring 7 times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate. 23And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet 7 times for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26And when I have broken the staff of your bread, 10 women shall bake your bread in 1 oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you 7 times for your sins. 29And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 35As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 36And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37And they shall fall 1 upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. (KJV/NC)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15and if ye shall reject my statutes, and if your soul abhor mine ordinances, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant; 16I also will do this unto you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away; and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be smitten before your enemies: they that hate you shall rule over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18And if ye will not yet for these things hearken unto me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19And I will break the pride of your power: and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass; 20and your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22And I will send the beast of the field among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your ways shall become desolate. 23And if by these things ye will not be reformed unto me, but will walk contrary unto me; 24then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant; and ye shall be gathered together within your cities: and I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28then I will walk contrary unto you in wrath; and I also will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your sun-images, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and my soul shall abhor you. 31And I will make your cities a waste, and will bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. 32And I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies that dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33And you will I scatter among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.

34Then shall the land enjoy its sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye are in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lieth desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it had not in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 36And as for them that are left of you, I will send a faintness into their heart in the lands of their enemies: and the sound of a driven leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as one fleeth from the sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37And they shall stumble one upon another, as it were before the sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38And ye shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.(ASV)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14¶ But if you will not hearken to me and will not do all these commandments, 15And if you despise my laws, or if your soul abhor my judgments so that you will not do all my commandments, and make my covenant of no effect; 16I also will do this to you: I will visit you with terror, leprosy, scab, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes and cause life to waste away; and you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17And I will pour out my anger against you, and you shall be defeated before your enemies; they that hate you shall reign over you; and you shall flee when none pursue you. 18And if you will not yet for all these things hearken to me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven like iron and your earth like brass; 20And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21And if you walk contrary to me and will not hearken to me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22I will also send wild beasts against you, which shall bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. 23And if by these things you shall not be disciplined, but continue to walk contrary to me; 24Then I also will walk contrary to you and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword upon you, which shall avenge the breaking of the covenant; and you shall flee to your cities; I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26And when I have broken the staff of your grain, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread by weight; and you shall eat and not be satisfied. 27And if you will not for all these things hearken to me, but walk contrary to me; 28Then I will also walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29And you shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall you eat. 30And I will destroy your high places and break your idols and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31And I will make your cities waste and reduce your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odors. 32And I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies who dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33I will scatter you among the Gentiles, and will draw out a sword against you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34Then shall the land enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lies desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths when you dwelt upon it. 36And as for those who are left among you, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee as fleeing from the sword; and they shall fall when none pursues them. 37And they shall stumble one after another, as it were from the sword, when none pursues them; and they shall have no power to stand before their enemies. 38And you shall perish among the Gentiles, and the land of your enemies shall devour you. 39And those of you who are left shall pine away in their iniquity in their enemies' lands; and also in the iniquity of their fathers shall they pine away with them. (LAM)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14"But if you will not hearken to me, and will not do all these commandments, 15if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my ordinances, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, 16I will do this to you: I will appoint over you sudden terror, consumption, and fever that waste the eyes and cause life to pine away. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it; 17I will set my face against you, and you shall be smitten before your enemies; those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you. 18And if in spite of this you will not hearken to me, then I will chastise you again sevenfold for your sins, 19and I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like brass; 20and your strength shall be spent in vain, for your land shall not yield its increase, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit.

21"Then if you walk contrary to me, and will not hearken to me, I will bring more plagues upon you, sevenfold as many as your sins. 22And I will let loose the wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number, so that your ways shall become desolate.

23"And if by this discipline you are not turned to me, but walk contrary to me, 24then I also will walk contrary to you, and I myself will smite you sevenfold for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute vengeance for the covenant; and if you gather within your cities I will send pestilence among you, and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and shall deliver your bread again by weight; and you shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27"And if in spite of this you will not hearken to me, but walk contrary to me, 28then I will walk contrary to you in fury, and chastise you myself sevenfold for your sins. 29You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. 30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the dead bodies of your idols; and my soul will abhor you. 31And I will lay your cities waste, and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your pleasing odors. 32And I will devastate the land, so that your enemies who settle in it shall be astonished at it. 33And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will unsheathe the sword after you; and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.

34"Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land shall rest, and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, the rest which it had not in your sabbaths when you dwelt upon it. 36And as for those of you that are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; the sound of a driven leaf shall put them to flight, and they shall flee as one flees from the sword, and they shall fall when none pursues. 37They shall stumble over one another, as if to escape a sword, though none pursues; and you shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38And you shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39And those of you that are left shall pine away in your enemies' lands because of their iniquity; and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall pine away like them.(RSV)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14"`But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. 17I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

18"`If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. 20Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21"`If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. 22I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted.

23"`If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, 24I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over. 25And I will bring the sword upon you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be given into enemy hands. 26When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven, and they will dole out the bread by weight. You will eat, but you will not be satisfied.

27"`If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, 28then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. 29You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters. 30I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars and pile your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and I will abhor you. 31I will turn your cities into ruins and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will take no delight in the pleasing aroma of your offerings. 32I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who live there will be appalled. 33I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins. 34Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived in it.

36"`As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. 37They will stumble over one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand before your enemies. 38You will perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will devour you. 39Those of you who are left will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins; also because of their fathers' sins they will waste away.(NIV)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14''But if youP will not listen to me, and will not do all these commandments; 15and if youP shall reject my statutes, and if your soul abhors my ordinances, so that youP will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant; 16I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away; and youP will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it. 17I will set my face against you, and youP will be struck before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and youP will flee when no one pursues you.

18''If youP in spite of these things will not listen to me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your sky like iron, and your soil like brass; 20and your strength will be spent in vain; for your land won't yield its increase, neither will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21''If youP walk contrary to me, and won't listen to me, then I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins. 22I will send the wild animals among you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your roads will become desolate.

23''If by these things youP won't be reformed to me, but will walk contrary to me; 24then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will strike you, even I, seven times for your sins. 25I will bring a sword upon you, that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; and youP will be gathered together within your cities: and I will send the pestilence among you; and youP will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight: and youP shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27''If youP in spite of this won't listen to me, but walk contrary to me; 28then I will walk contrary to you in wrath; and I also will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29YouP will eat the flesh of your sons, and youP will eat the flesh of your daughters. 30I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and my soul will abhor you. 31I will lay your cities waste, and will bring your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not take delight in the sweet fragrence of your offerings. 32I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies that dwell therein will be astonished at it. 33I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. 34Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and youP are in your enemies' land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it didn't have in your sabbaths, when youP lived on it.

36''As for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies: and the sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword; and they will fall when no one pursues. 37They will stumble over one another, as it were before the sword, when no one pursues: and youP will have no power to stand before your enemies. 38YouP will perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies will eat you up. 39Those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.(WEB)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14''But if you will not listen to me, and will not do all these commandments; 15and if you shall reject my statutes, and if your soul abhors my ordinances, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant; 16I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away; and you will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it. 17I will set my face against you, and you will be struck before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and you will flee when no one pursues you.

18''If you in spite of these things will not listen to me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your sky like iron, and your soil like brass; 20and your strength will be spent in vain; for your land won't yield its increase, neither will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21''If you walk contrary to me, and won't listen to me, then I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins. 22I will send the wild animals among you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your roads will become desolate.

23''If by these things you won't be reformed to me, but will walk contrary to me; 24then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will strike you, even I, seven times for your sins. 25I will bring a sword upon you, that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; and you will be gathered together within your cities: and I will send the pestilence among you; and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight: and you shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27''If you in spite of this won't listen to me, but walk contrary to me; 28then I will walk contrary to you in wrath; and I also will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29You will eat the flesh of your sons, and you will eat the flesh of your daughters. 30I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and my soul will abhor you. 31I will lay your cities waste, and will bring your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not take delight in the sweet fragrance of your offerings. 32I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies that dwell therein will be astonished at it. 33I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. 34Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies' land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it didn't have in your sabbaths, when you lived on it.

36''As for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies: and the sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword; and they will fall when no one pursues. 37They will stumble over one another, as it were before the sword, when no one pursues: and you will have no power to stand before your enemies. 38You will perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies will eat you up. 39Those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.(WEB/HNV)

3 Leviticus 26:14-39 14But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, 15And if you despise my laws, or if your soul abhor my judgments so that you will not do all my commandments, and make my contract of no effect; 16I will also do this to you: I will visit you with terror, leprosy, scab, and the burning ague, that will consume the eyes and cause life to waste away; and you will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it. 17And I will pour out my anger against you, and you will be defeated before your enemies; those who hate you will reign over you; and you will flee when no one pursues you. 18And if, for all these things, you will not yet listen to me, then I will punish you 7 times more for your sins. 19And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven like iron and your earth like brass; 20And your strength will be spent in vain; for your land will not yield its increase, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21And if you walk contrary to me and will not listen to me, I will bring 7 times more plagues on you according to your sins. 22I will also send wild animals against you, which will bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and make you few in number; and your highways will be desolate. 23And if by these things you will not be disciplined, but continue to walk contrary to me; 24Then I will also walk contrary to you and will punish you yet 7 times for your sins. 25And I will bring a sword on you, which will avenge the breaking of the contract; and you will flee to your cities; I will send pestilence among you; and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26And when I have broken the staff of your grain, 10 women will bake your bread in one oven, and they will deliver your bread by weight; and you will eat and not be satisfied. 27And if, for all these things, you will not listen to me, but walk contrary to me; 28Then I will also walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you 7 times for your sins. 29And you will eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters you will eat. 30And I will destroy your high places and break your idols and cast your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols, and my soul will abhor you. 31And I will make your cities waste and reduce your sanctuaries to desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. 32And I will bring the land into desolation; and your enemies who live in it will be astonished at it. 33I will scatter you among the Gentiles, and will draw out a sword against you: and your land will be desolate, and your cities waste. 34Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate, while you are in your enemies' land; even then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35As long as it lies desolate it will rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths when you lived on it. 36And as for those who are left among you, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf will chase them; and they will flee as fleeing from the sword; and they will fall when no one pursues them. 37And they will stumble one after another, as it were from the sword, when no one pursues them; and they will have no power to stand before their enemies. 38And you will perish among the Gentiles, and the land of your enemies will devour you. 39And those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in their enemies' lands; and also in the iniquity of their fathers they will pine away with them. (BRB)

This is the part of the law that was exercised against the Jews when Nebuchadnezzar broke through Jerusalem's walls and burned the city to the ground.

Was God doing something against the people or the nation?

The nation. People who wanted to be under his blessings, who wanted to be "good figs" would need to go to Babylon. They could not stay in Jerusalem or its vacinity.

The picture of the Fig Tree is picked up by Jesus in the New Testament. He has more to say about what God is doing with this people more than 500 years later. We turn our attention now to the Fig Tree.

Parable of the Fig Tree

In response to an encounter with the chief priests and teachers of the law, Jesus used a fig tree to identify that these men were also figs, and that they would no longer bear any fruit. The following is the story.

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12ܘܥܠ ܝܫܘܥ ܠܗܝܟܠܐ ܕܐܠܗܐ ܘܐܦܩ ܠܟܠܗܘܢ ܕܙܒܢܝܢ ܘܡܙܒܢܝܢ ܒܗܝܟܠܐ ܘܤܚܦ ܦܬܘܪܐ ܕܡܥܪܦܢܐ ܘܟܘܪܤܘܬܐ ܕܗܢܘܢ ܕܡܙܒܢܝܢ ܝܘܢܐ ܀ 13ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗܘܢ ܟܬܝܒ ܗܘ ܕܒܝܬܝ ܒܝܬ ܨܠܘܬܐ ܢܬܩܪܐ ܐܢܬܘܢ ܕܝܢ ܥܒܕܬܘܢܝܗܝ ܡܥܪܬܐ ܕܠܤܛܝܐ ܀ 14ܘܩܪܒܘ ܠܗ ܒܗܝܟܠܐ ܤܡܝܐ ܘܚܓܝܤܐ ܘܐܤܝ ܐܢܘܢ ܀ 15ܟܕ ܚܙܘ ܕܝܢ ܪܒܝ ܟܗܢܐ ܘܦܪܝܫܐ ܬܕܡܪܬܐ ܕܥܒܕ ܘܛܠܝܐ ܕܩܥܝܢ ܒܗܝܟܠܐ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܘܫܥܢܐ ܠܒܪܗ ܕܕܘܝܕ ܐܬܒܐܫ ܠܗܘܢ ܀ 16ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܠܗ ܫܡܥ ܐܢܬ ܡܢܐ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܗܠܝܢ ܐܡܪ ܠܗܘܢ ܝܫܘܥ ܐܝܢ ܡܢ ܡܬܘܡ ܠܐ ܩܪܝܬܘܢ ܕܡܢ ܦܘܡܐ ܕܛܠܝܐ ܘܕܝܠܘܕܐ ܬܩܢܬ ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܀ 17ܘܫܒܩ ܐܢܘܢ ܘܢܦܩ ܠܒܪ ܡܢ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܠܒܝܬ ܥܢܝܐ ܘܒܬ ܬܡܢ ܀ 18ܒܨܦܪܐ ܕܝܢ ܟܕ ܗܦܟ ܠܡܕܝܢܬܐ ܟܦܢ ܀ 19ܘܚܙܐ ܬܬܐ ܚܕܐ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܘܐܬܐ ܠܘܬܗ ܘܠܐ ܐܫܟܚ ܒܗ ܡܕܡ ܐܠܐ ܐܢ ܛܪܦܐ ܒܠܚܘܕ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܠܐ ܢܗܘܘܢ ܒܟܝ ܬܘܒ ܦܐܪܐ ܠܥܠܡ ܘܡܚܕܐ ܝܒܫܬ ܬܬܐ ܗܝ ܀ 20ܘܚܙܘ ܬܠܡܝܕܐ ܘܬܗܪܘ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܒܪ ܫܥܬܗ ܝܒܫܬ ܬܬܐ ܀ 21ܥܢܐ ܝܫܘܥ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗܘܢ ܐܡܝܢ ܐܡܪ ܐܢܐ ܠܟܘܢ ܕܐܢ ܬܗܘܐ ܒܟܘܢ ܗܝܡܢܘܬܐ ܘܠܐ ܬܬܦܠܓܘܢ ܠܐ ܒܠܚܘܕ ܗܕܐ ܕܬܬܐ ܬܥܒܕܘܢ ܐܠܐ ܐܦܢ ܠܛܘܪܐ ܗܢܐ ܬܐܡܪܘܢ ܕܐܫܬܩܠ ܘܦܠ ܒܝܡܐ ܬܗܘܐ ܀ 22ܘܟܠ ܡܕܡ ܕܬܫܐܠܘܢ ܒܨܠܘܬܐ ܘܬܗܝܡܢܘܢ ܬܤܒܘܢ ܀ (SYP)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. 18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(KJV)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. 18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(KJV/NC)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of he money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 13and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers. 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation, 16and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise? 17And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

18Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered. 19And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away. 20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? 21And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done. 22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(ASV)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12¶ And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and put out all who were buying and selling in the temple, and he overturned the trays of the money-changers and the stands of those who sold doves. 13And he said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a bandits' cave. 14And in the temple they brought to him the blind and the lame, and he healed them. 15But when the high priests and the Pharisees saw the wonders that he did, and the boys who were crying aloud in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were displeased. 16And they said to him, Do you hear what they are saying? Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, From the mouth of little children and of boys you made praise?

17¶ And he left them, and went outside of the city to Bethany, and he lodged there. 18In the morning, as he returned to the city, he became hungry. 19And he saw a fig tree on the roadside, and he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves; and he said to it, Let there be no fruit on you again for ever. And shortly the fig tree withered. 20When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, How is it that the fig tree has withered so soon? 21Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, and do not doubt, you will perform a deed not only like this of the fig tree, but should you say even to this mountain, Be removed and fall into the sea, it shall be done. 22And everything that you will ask in prayer and believe, you shall receive. (LAM)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13He said to them, "It is written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers."

14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; 16and they said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, `Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast brought perfect praise'?" 17And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

18In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19And seeing a fig tree by the wayside he went to it, and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. 20When the disciples saw it they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" 21And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and never doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."(RSV)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13"It is written," he said to them, "`My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a `den of robbers.'"

14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "`From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."(NIV)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money-changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13He said to them, 'It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but youP have made it a den of robbers!'

14The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the son of David!' they were indignant, 16and said to him, 'Do you hear what these are saying?'

Jesus said to them, 'Yes. Did youP never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?''

17He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there. 18Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, 'Let there be no fruit from you forever!'

Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree immediately wither away?'

21Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, if youP have faith, and don't doubt, youP will not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if youP told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done. 22All things, whatever youP ask in prayer, believing, youP will receive.'(WEB)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12Yeshua entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers' tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13He said to them, 'It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers!'

14The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the son of David!' they were indignant, 16and said to him, 'Do you hear what these are saying?'

Yeshua said to them, 'Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?''

17He left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there. 18Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, 'Let there be no fruit from you forever!'

Immediately the fig tree withered away. 20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree immediately wither away?'

21Yeshua answered them, 'Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done. 22All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.'(WEB/HNV)

41 Matthew 21:12-22 12And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and put out all who were buying and selling in the temple, and he overturned the trays of the moneychangers and the stands of those who sold doves. 13And he said to them, It is written, My house will be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a bandits' cave.

14And in the temple they brought to him the blind and the lame, and he healed them. 15But when the high priests and the Pharisees saw the wonders that he did, and the boys who were crying aloud in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David, they were displeased. 16And they said to him, Do you hear what they are saying? Jesus said to them, Yes. Have you never read, From the mouth of little children and of boys you made praise? 17And he left them, and went outside of the city to Bethany, and he lodged there.

18In the morning, as he returned to the city, he became hungry. 19And he saw a fig tree on the roadside, and he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves; and he said to it, Let there be no fruit on you again forever. And shortly the fig tree withered. 20When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, How is it that the fig tree has withered so soon? 21Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, and do not doubt, you will perform a deed not only like this with the fig tree, but you will even say to this mountain, Be removed, fall into the sea, and it will be done. 22And everything that you will ask in prayer and believe, you will receive. (BRB)

This parable is a picture of what God is doing with the "fig tree", that from that day forward it would not bear fruit.

A new day was dawning in the affairs of God with mankind, and the fig tree would no longer bear fruit. Who was going to be bearing fruit? In a veiled reference, Jesus told us that "this mountain" ie: the place where one could come to meet with God, was going "into the sea" which is a word picture for the "nations" at large.

Unlike the word to Jeremiah, when God had intended to put his good figs in Babylon, now the tree of figs, ie: the Jewish religion, would no longer bear any fruit at all. From Jeremiah's word picture, only Babylon, would be bearing fruit, ie: the gentile nations were to now bear fruit.

Paul, who wrote much of the new testament, has much to say about this same process, that the reason for this is so that Salvation can come to the Gentiles, (ie: the non-Jew) and Paul hoped for this process to lead to some of the Jews being saved.1 If, for no other reason, than because of shear envy.

God was about to start a new thing, and the fruit that the father longed for would not be found in the Jews. It would be found somewhere else, among the non-Jewish nations. "In the seas". But, the place of this fruit, it turns out, is not as important as the nature of this fruit.

In an encounter with the woman at the well, who was aware of a traditional argument that raged between Samaria and Jerusalem, as the place of true worship, Jesus explained what that fruit was.

40 John 4:19-24 19ܐܡܪܐ ܠܗ ܗܝ ܐܢܬܬܐ ܡܪܝ ܚܙܝܐ ܐܢܐ ܕܢܒܝܐ ܐܢܬ ܀ 20ܐܒܗܝܢ ܒܗܢܐ ܛܘܪܐ ܤܓܕܘ ܘܐܢܬܘܢ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܢܬܘܢ ܕܒܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܗܘ ܐܬܪ ܕܘܠܐ ܠܡܤܓܕ ܀ 21ܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܝܫܘܥ ܐܢܬܬܐ ܗܝܡܢܝܢܝ ܕܐܬܝܐ ܫܥܬܐ ܕܠܐ ܒܗܢܐ ܛܘܪܐ ܘܐܦ ܠܐ ܒܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܬܤܓܕܘܢ ܠܐܒܐ ܀ 22ܐܢܬܘܢ ܤܓܕܝܢ ܐܢܬܘܢ