I will set my eyes on 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 pluck them up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's promise to "build them up, and not tear them down" and "plant them, and not pluck them up" isn't just about physical restoration, but about a deep, spiritual re-establishment. This is a picture of God's enduring work to renew His people, not just return them to a place, but to make them a secure, flourishing community rooted in Him.
I will set my eyes on 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 pluck them up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This promise comes from a vision Jeremiah received where he saw two baskets of figs, one good and one bad, representing the exiles in Babylon versus those left in Jerusalem. God declares He will watch over the good figs (the exiles) and bring them back to the land, not to destroy or uproot them, but to establish and grow them. This contrasts sharply with the fate of the bad figs, who will face severe judgment.
Ever feel like you're just drifting, or that God's attention is elsewhere? Jeremiah 24:6 paints a powerful picture of God's intentional focus on His people.
The phrase 'I will set my eyes on them for good' is incredibly significant. It's not a passive glance, but an active, intentional gaze directed towards well-being. Think of it like a loving parent watching over their child, not just to observe, but to protect and guide. This 'setting of eyes' signifies God's deliberate commitment to work for their benefit, even when they are in difficult circumstances like exile. It assures them that they are not forgotten, but are under His constant, benevolent supervision.
Imagine being torn from everything you know. God's promise in Jeremiah 24:6 offers a profound picture of restoration and lasting security.
The powerful imagery of 'I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up' speaks to a complete restoration. It’s not just about returning them to their land, but about establishing them securely.
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Understand the original words
ayin · Hebrew Noun
The eyes of the LORD symbolize His providential care, omniscience, and active involvement in the lives of His people, whether for judgment or blessing. To have God's eyes "set" on one implies focused attention and intent.
This prophecy, given after the initial exile of King Jehoiachin's court, contrasts the hopeful future of the faithful exiles with the doom awaiting those left behind, promising restoration and spiritual renewal.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports some of the Jewish elite, including Daniel, to Babylon after conquering Jerusalem.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation and Jehoiachin's Exile
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans to Babylon, including Ezekiel.
c. 593 BC
Jeremiah's Vision of Figs
Jeremiah receives the vision of two baskets of figs, representing the deported good figs (like Jehoiachin's group) and the remaining bad figs (like Zedekiah's group).
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 536 BC
First Return of Exiles
A contingent of Judeans, led by Zerubbabel, returns to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the city and the Temple.
This passage echoes Jeremiah 24:6 by stating God's initial commission to the prophet to 'build and to plant' nations, setting a foundational theme of divine construction and establishment that is mirrored in the promise of restoration for His people.
Jeremiah 31:28Similar to Jeremiah 24:6's promise to 'build and plant,' this verse speaks of God watching over His people 'to build and to plant them,' highlighting a consistent prophetic theme of divine care in establishing and strengthening the nation.
Jeremiah 32:41This verse directly parallels the 'build and plant' imagery of Jeremiah 24:6, stating God will 'rejoice over them to do them good, and will again plant them in this land with all His heart and with all His soul,' emphasizing the depth of God's commitment to their restoration.
Ezekiel 36:36Echoing the sense of rebuilding and establishing found in Jeremiah 24:6, this passage describes the nations recognizing that the Lord 'built the ruined places and planted that which was desolate,' affirming God's power to restore what was destroyed.
Zechariah 10:9This verse offers a future fulfillment of the 'plant them' promise in Jeremiah 24:6, speaking of a time when God 'will sow them among the peoples,' and they 'shall remember me in far countries; and they shall rear up their children, and return.'
pooleJeremiah 24:6: "For 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."
I will set mine eyes upon them for good; the soul looking out at the eye, discovereth its inclinations and affection, whether of love or wrath. Hence we read of God’s setting his eyes upon people for evil , Amos 9:4 , as here of his setting his eyes upon them for good. Or else it may signify God’s set…
pulpitJeremiah 24:6: "For 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."
Verse 6. - I will build them, etc. (comp. Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 12:16). As the next verse shows. it is not merely outward prosperity that is meant, but spiritual regeneration.
God's promise to "build them up, and not tear them down" and "plant them, and not pluck them up" isn't just about physical restoration, but about a deep, spiritual re-establishment. This is a picture of God's enduring work to renew His people, not just return them to a place, but to make them a secure, flourishing community rooted in Him.
This promise comes from a vision Jeremiah received where he saw two baskets of figs, one good and one bad, representing the exiles in Babylon versus those left in Jerusalem. God declares He will watch over the good figs (the exiles) and bring them back to the land, not to destroy or uproot them, but to establish and grow them. This contrasts sharply with the fate of the bad figs, who will face severe judgment.
This promise comes from a vision Jeremiah received where he saw two baskets of figs, one good and one bad, representing the exiles in Babylon versus those left in Jerusalem. God declares He will watch over the good figs (the exiles) and bring them back to the land, not to destroy or uproot them, but to establish and grow them. This contrasts sharply with the fate of the bad figs, who will face severe judgment.
"I will set my eyes on 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 pluck them up." — God's promise to "build them up, and not tear them down" and "plant them, and not pluck them up" isn't just about physical restoration, but about a deep, spiritual re-establishment. This is a picture…
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Last reviewed October 2026