King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:6 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

Jeremiah 13:6 · KJV


Context

4

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.

5

So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.

6

And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

7

Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

8

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces third stage: 'And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence.' 'After many days' (miqets yamim rabbim) indicates sufficient time for decay. Now Jeremiah must retrieve what he buried. The revelation comes progressively: wear, bury, wait, retrieve. 'Many days' allows water, moisture, and organic decay to affect the linen garment. The anticipation builds—what condition will the girdle be in?

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Historical & Cultural Context

The timing—'many days'—parallels the exile's duration. Judah would spend extended time 'buried' in Babylon before any return. The prophetic action's timeline models the judgment's extended nature. The waiting period would increase audience curiosity—what happened to the girdle?

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'many days' of waiting symbolize in terms of exile experience?
  2. How does the progressive revelation build anticipation and teaching impact?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיְהִ֕י1 of 18
H1961

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

מִקֵּ֖ץ2 of 18

And it came to pass after

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

יָמִ֣ים3 of 18

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רַבִּ֑ים4 of 18

many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר5 of 18

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה6 of 18

that the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֗י7 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ק֚וּם8 of 18

unto me Arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לֵ֣ךְ9 of 18
H1980

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

פְּרָ֔תָה10 of 18

to Euphrates

H6578

perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east

וְקַ֤ח11 of 18

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִשָּׁם֙12 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת13 of 18
H853

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

הָ֣אֵז֔וֹר14 of 18

the girdle

H232

something girt; a belt, also a band

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 18
H834

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

צִוִּיתִ֖יךָ16 of 18

from thence which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְטָמְנוֹ17 of 18

thee to hide

H2934

to hide (by covering over)

שָֽׁם׃18 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


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 13:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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