Jeremiah 13:4

KJV

Take the girdle that thou hast got, which [is] upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {H3947} the girdle {H232} that thou hast got {H7069}, which is upon thy loins {H4975}, and arise {H6965}, go {H3212} to Euphrates {H6578}, and hide {H2934} it there in a hole {H5357} of the rock {H5553}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Take the loincloth you bought and are wearing, get up, go to Parah, and hide it there in a hole in the rock."

Berean Standard Bible

“Take the loincloth that you bought and are wearing, and go at once to Perath and hide it there in a crevice of the rocks.”

American Standard Version

Take the girdle that thou hast bought, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:4 delivers a precise divine command to the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to take a linen girdle, previously worn, and embark on a journey to the Euphrates River to conceal it within a rock crevice. This seemingly simple act was a profound prophetic parable, meticulously orchestrated by God to visually communicate the impending spiritual decay and subsequent judgment upon the unfaithful people of Judah, foreshadowing their inevitable exile to Babylon and the ruin of their covenant relationship with the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:4 is an integral part of the "Parable of the Linen Girdle," a powerful symbolic act initiated by God in [Jeremiah 13:1-11](/jeremiah/13 "Jeremiah 13 - The Parable of the Linen Girdle"). The sequence begins with Jeremiah acquiring a new linen girdle and wearing it without allowing it to touch water ([Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - Jeremiah Buys and Wears the Girdle")). This initial instruction emphasizes the girdle's pristine condition and its close proximity to the prophet's body, symbolizing Judah's initial potential for purity and intimate relationship with God. Verse 4 then introduces the second phase of the parable: the arduous journey to the Euphrates and the hiding of the girdle. This act sets the stage for the subsequent command in [Jeremiah 13:6-7](/jeremiah/13-6 "Jeremiah 13:6-7 - The Ruined Girdle") to retrieve the girdle, only to find it utterly ruined and useless, a vivid metaphor for Judah's spiritual corruption and the devastating consequences of their unfaithfulness. The entire narrative arc of the chapter underscores God's patient yet firm communication of impending judgment through a tangible, memorable illustration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop to Jeremiah 13 is the turbulent period leading up to the Babylonian exile, roughly late 7th to early 6th century BCE. Judah, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, continued to engage in widespread idolatry, covenant breaking, and moral corruption. The mention of the "Euphrates" is geographically significant, as it was the major river flowing through Mesopotamia, the heartland of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was rapidly rising to regional dominance. This specific geographical marker served as an unmistakable symbol of the impending Babylonian captivity, where the people of Judah would be forcibly removed from their land and carried into exile. Culturally, a girdle or belt was an essential item of clothing, symbolizing strength, readiness for action (e.g., "gird up your loins"), and honor. A new, clean linen girdle could represent Judah's potential for purity and their privileged status as God's chosen people. Its defilement and ruin would therefore powerfully convey their loss of honor, strength, and usefulness in God's eyes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader parable, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it embodies **Symbolic Prophecy**, a common method where God used the prophet's actions as a living illustration to convey His message more powerfully than words alone (compare with [Ezekiel 4](/ezekiel/4 "Ezekiel 4 - Ezekiel's Symbolic Acts")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's righteous response to Judah's persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion against His covenant. The ruined girdle vividly portrays the consequences of their spiritual decay. Thirdly, the parable underscores the **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, showing how Judah's pride ([Jeremiah 13:9](/jeremiah/13-9 "Jeremiah 13:9 - God's Judgment on Judah's Pride")) and idolatry would render them spiritually useless and broken, mirroring the spoiled girdle. Finally, the explicit mention of the Euphrates powerfully foreshadows the **Impending Exile** to Babylon, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the judgment that awaited the nation, a theme prevalent throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **girdle (Hebrew, _ʼêzôwr'_):** From the root meaning "to gird," this term (H232) refers to a belt or loincloth, typically worn around the waist. In this context, it is made of linen, often associated with purity and priestly attire, symbolizing Judah's potential for honor and close relationship with God. Its initial pristine state and subsequent ruin are central to the parable's meaning, representing the nation's spiritual condition.
* **go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This primitive root (H3212) signifies "to walk" or "to go" in a literal sense, but can also imply "to carry" or "to depart." Here, it emphasizes the physical journey Jeremiah must undertake, highlighting the effort and distance involved in the symbolic act. The journey to the Euphrates is not a casual stroll but a significant, arduous trek, underscoring the severity and certainty of the impending exile.
* **hide (Hebrew, _ṭâman'_):** This primitive root (H2934) means "to hide by covering over," implying concealment, often in secret or out of sight. The act of hiding the girdle in a "hole of the rock" signifies a deliberate act of removal, obscurity, and abandonment. It represents God's intention to remove Judah from their land and place them in a state of spiritual and national insignificance, mirroring the forgotten and decaying girdle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take the girdle that thou hast got, which [is] upon thy loins,"**: This clause refers to the linen girdle Jeremiah had previously acquired and worn, as commanded in [Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - Jeremiah Buys and Wears the Girdle"). The phrase "upon thy loins" signifies its close proximity and intimate connection to the prophet, symbolizing Judah's initial closeness to God and their potential for purity and strength. The command to "take" it implies a deliberate removal, setting the stage for its symbolic degradation.
* **"and arise, go to Euphrates,"**: This is a direct command for Jeremiah to undertake a long and arduous journey. The imperative "arise" suggests immediate and determined action. The destination, the Euphrates River, is critically important. It is not merely a distant place but the geographical heart of Babylon, the very empire that would soon conquer Judah and carry its people into exile. This journey physically enacts the future displacement and captivity of the nation.
* **"and hide it there in a hole of the rock."**: This final instruction specifies the manner and location of the girdle's concealment. Hiding it "in a hole of the rock" suggests a place of obscurity, isolation, and eventual decay. This act symbolizes God's intention to remove Judah from their land, hide them away in a foreign land (Babylon), and allow their spiritual vitality and national glory to waste away due to their unfaithfulness, much like the girdle would be ruined by the dampness and neglect of its hiding place.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:4, as part of the larger parable, is rich in **Symbolism**. The linen **girdle** itself symbolizes the people of Judah, particularly their potential for purity, honor, and close relationship with God. Its initial pristine state and subsequent ruin vividly represent Judah's spiritual decay and eventual national humiliation. The **Euphrates River** is a powerful geographical symbol, directly pointing to Babylon and foreshadowing the impending exile. The act of hiding the girdle "in a hole of the rock" employs **Imagery** that evokes obscurity, decay, and abandonment, visually depicting the state of Judah in captivity. The entire sequence is a **Prophetic Act** or **Living Parable**, where Jeremiah's physical actions serve as a dramatic, tangible message from God, making the abstract concept of judgment concrete and memorable. This also functions as **Foreshadowing**, explicitly predicting the Babylonian exile and its devastating consequences for Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:4 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even as it highlights the severe consequences of human unfaithfulness. The symbolic act underscores the Lord's sovereignty over nations and His use of both word and deed to communicate His divine will. The defilement of the girdle, once close to the prophet's body, mirrors Judah's spiritual defilement through idolatry and pride, leading to their separation from God's presence and protection. This passage serves as a stark reminder that a privileged relationship with God does not exempt a people from judgment when they persist in rebellion; rather, it intensifies the accountability. God's patience is immense, but His justice is certain, and His prophetic warnings are given not to condemn but to call to repentance and avert disaster.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Ezekiel 12:1-16](/ezekiel/12-1 "Ezekiel 12:1-16 - Ezekiel's Symbolic Exile")
* [Hosea 1:2-9](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2-9 - Hosea's Symbolic Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:4, though an ancient prophecy to a specific nation, resonates deeply with timeless spiritual truths applicable to individuals and communities today. It serves as a potent warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious nature of unfaithfulness. Just as the linen girdle, once vibrant and pure, became ruined and useless when removed from its proper place and hidden in a damp crevice, so too can our spiritual vitality diminish and our purpose become obscured when we drift from our intimate relationship with God. Pride, idolatry (whether of self, possessions, or worldly pursuits), and disobedience can subtly erode our spiritual integrity, rendering us ineffective for God's purposes. This passage calls us to a rigorous self-examination: Are we allowing anything to defile our "girdle" of faith and righteousness? Are we maintaining our closeness to the Lord, or are we allowing ourselves to be "hidden away" by the world's influences, leading to spiritual decay? It encourages a humble posture of repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in purity and obedience, ensuring that our lives remain useful and honorable in God's service, avoiding the painful discipline that comes from persistent rebellion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "girdles" or areas of spiritual strength in my life might be at risk of decay due to neglect or unfaithfulness?**
* **In what ways might I be subtly drifting from my close relationship with God, leading to spiritual barrenness?**
* **What specific idols or sources of pride might be defiling my "girdle" and hindering my usefulness for God's kingdom?**
* **How can I proactively guard against spiritual decay and ensure my life remains pure and purposeful in the Lord?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Jeremiah to go all the way to the Euphrates River, which was a long and dangerous journey?**

Answer: The command for Jeremiah to undertake such a long and arduous journey to the Euphrates River was crucial for the symbolic power of the parable. The Euphrates was not just any distant river; it was the major river of Mesopotamia, the heartland of the Babylonian Empire, which was God's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah. By sending Jeremiah there, God was vividly illustrating the **certainty** and **distance** of the impending exile. It emphasized that the people of Judah would not merely be disciplined within their land but would be forcibly removed far away, to the very place from which their captors would come. This physical journey served as a tangible, unforgettable prophecy of their future captivity, making the message of judgment undeniably clear and impactful, underscoring the severity of their unfaithfulness.

**What does the "hole of the rock" signify in this context?**

Answer: The "hole of the rock" (or "cleft of the rock") signifies a place of obscurity, isolation, and eventual decay. When Jeremiah hides the girdle there, it is removed from sight, from its intended purpose, and from any care or maintenance. The dampness and neglect of such a place would cause the linen to rot and become useless. Symbolically, this represents the state of Judah during the Babylonian exile. They would be removed from their land, the place of God's presence (the Temple), and their national identity and glory would decay in a foreign land, far from their spiritual heritage. It speaks to the humiliation, powerlessness, and spiritual barrenness that would result from their unfaithfulness, much like the ruined girdle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 13:4 speaks of judgment and the decay of an unfaithful people, it ultimately points to the profound need for a perfect, unbreakable covenant and an enduring righteousness that only Christ provides. The ruined linen girdle, symbolizing Judah's defiled glory and broken covenant, stands in stark contrast to the **spotless righteousness** of Christ. Humanity, like the girdle, is inherently flawed and prone to spiritual decay, unable to maintain its purity or fulfill its intended purpose apart from God. However, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the covenant requirements and endured the full judgment symbolized by the exile and decay. He became "sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might become the [righteousness of God in Him](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")". Through His sacrifice on the cross, Christ offers a new and living way, establishing a [new covenant in His blood](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood") that cannot be broken or defiled. Unlike the temporary and decaying girdle, Christ Himself is our [everlasting strength](/isaiah/26-4 "Isaiah 26:4 - Everlasting Strength in the Lord") and our [garment of salvation](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation"), ensuring that those who are "in Christ" are eternally pure, useful, and intimately connected to God, never to be hidden away in decay, but brought into glorious fellowship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 4:10

Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go [even] to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

Psalms 137:1

¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Jeremiah 51:63

And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Jeremiah 51:64

And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.