Jeremiah 13:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֕י
H1961
וַיְהִ֕י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִקֵּ֖ץ
And it came to pass after
H7093
מִקֵּ֖ץ
And it came to pass after
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
2 of 18
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
יָמִ֣ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֣ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 18
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
רַבִּ֑ים
many
H7227
רַבִּ֑ים
many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 18
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
יְהוָ֜ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ק֚וּם
unto me Arise
H6965
ק֚וּם
unto me Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 18
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
לֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
פְּרָ֔תָה
to Euphrates
H6578
פְּרָ֔תָה
to Euphrates
Strong's:
H6578
Word #:
10 of 18
perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east
מִשָּׁם֙
H8033
מִשָּׁם֙
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
12 of 18
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
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 #:
15 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוִּיתִ֖יךָ
from thence which I commanded
H6680
צִוִּיתִ֖יךָ
from thence which I commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
16 of 18
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Historical 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?
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'many days' of waiting symbolize in terms of exile experience?
- How does the progressive revelation build anticipation and teaching impact?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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?