King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:10 in the King James Version says “This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. imagination: or, stubbornness

Jeremiah 13:10 · KJV


Context

8

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

9

Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.

10

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. imagination: or, stubbornness

11

For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

12

Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse specifies the sins: 'This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.' The indictment has three elements: refusing to hear (me'anim lishmoa), following stubborn hearts (sheriruth libbam), and serving other gods. These summarize covenant violation: rejecting revelation, following self, pursuing idols. The conclusion: 'shall be as this girdle'—worthless, ruined, discarded. Israel's potential intimacy with God becomes worthless corruption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These three accusations appear throughout Jeremiah: refusing to hear (5:21, 7:13, 26), stubborn heart (3:17, 7:24, 9:14), and serving other gods (1:16, 5:19, 11:10). The three-fold description comprehensively covers their failure: rejecting God's word, following their own desires, worshipping idols. The outcome—uselessness—is the consequence of corrupted relationship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the three accusations—refusing to hear, stubborn heart, serving other gods—comprehensively describe covenant violation?
  2. What makes corrupt relationship 'good for nothing' despite original potential?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
הָעָם֩1 of 24

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֨ה2 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הָרָ֜ע3 of 24

This evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַֽמֵּאֲנִ֣ים׀4 of 24

which refuse

H3987

refractory

לִשְׁמ֣וֹעַ5 of 24

to hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת6 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּבָרַ֗י7 of 24

my words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ8 of 24

which walk

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בִּשְׁרִר֣וּת9 of 24

in the imagination

H8307

obstinacy

לִבָּ֔ם10 of 24

of their heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ11 of 24

which walk

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵי֙12 of 24

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֣ים13 of 24

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִ֔ים14 of 24

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

לְעָבְדָ֖ם15 of 24

to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת16 of 24

them and to worship

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לָהֶ֑ם17 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וִיהִי֙18 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כָּאֵז֣וֹר19 of 24

them shall even be as this girdle

H232

something girt; a belt, also a band

הַזֶּ֔ה20 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא22 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִצְלַ֖ח23 of 24

which is good

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

לַכֹּֽל׃24 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 13:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 13:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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