Jeremiah 13:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָם֩
people
H5971
הָעָם֩
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
1 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֨ה
H2088
לִשְׁמ֣וֹעַ
to hear
H8085
לִשְׁמ֣וֹעַ
to hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרַ֗י
my words
H1697
דְּבָרַ֗י
my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ
which walk
H1980
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ
which walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִבָּ֔ם
of their heart
H3820
לִבָּ֔ם
of their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 24
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ
which walk
H1980
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ
which walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 24
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
לְעָבְדָ֖ם
to serve
H5647
לְעָבְדָ֖ם
to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
15 of 24
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת
them and to worship
H7812
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת
them and to worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
16 of 24
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
וִיהִי֙
H1961
וִיהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּאֵז֣וֹר
them shall even be as this girdle
H232
כָּאֵז֣וֹר
them shall even be as this girdle
Strong's:
H232
Word #:
19 of 24
something girt; a belt, also a band
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 16:12And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:Jeremiah 9:14But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them:Numbers 14:11And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Jeremiah 13:7Then 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.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the three accusations—refusing to hear, stubborn heart, serving other gods—comprehensively describe covenant violation?
- What makes corrupt relationship 'good for nothing' despite original potential?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.