Jeremiah 13:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קָנִ֖יתָ
that thou hast got
H7069
קָנִ֖יתָ
that thou hast got
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
5 of 15
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָתְנֶ֑יךָ
which is upon thy loins
H4975
מָתְנֶ֑יךָ
which is upon thy loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וְקוּם֙
and arise
H6965
וְקוּם֙
and arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
9 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
פְּרָ֔תָה
to Euphrates
H6578
פְּרָ֔תָה
to Euphrates
Strong's:
H6578
Word #:
11 of 15
perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
Historical Context
If literally the Euphrates (approximately 700 miles distant), the journey would take several weeks each direction—an extreme commitment to symbolic action. If Parah (about 4 miles from Anathoth), the Hebrew pun on Perath would still evoke Babylon. Either way, the hiding location associated with Babylon represented the exile that would 'ruin' Judah. Water and time would decay the buried garment.
Questions for Reflection
- What significance does the location (Euphrates/Babylon) add to the symbolic action?
- How does burying the garment in rock crevice ensure its decay?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse commands concealment: '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.' The Hebrew Perath (פְּרָת) is usually 'Euphrates' (major river in Mesopotamia) but some suggest Parah, a town near Anathoth. 'Hide it' (tamnenu, from taman—bury, conceal) in 'hole of the rock' (neqiq hasela) indicates placing it where moisture and decay will affect it. The location—whether Euphrates or nearby Parah—represents Babylon, the source of coming judgment.