Jeremiah 13 3

Jeremiah 13:3 kjv

And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,

Jeremiah 13:3 nkjv

And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying,

Jeremiah 13:3 niv

Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time:

Jeremiah 13:3 esv

And the word of the LORD came to me a second time,

Jeremiah 13:3 nlt

Then the LORD gave me another message:

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 3 Meaning

This verse instructs Jeremiah to take a linen loincloth and wrap it around his waist, symbolizing the intimate connection between God and His people. The loincloth is not to be washed, signifying that Judah, through its sin and rebellion, will become corrupt and useless, like a worn-out garment. This imagery highlights God's judgment and the severe consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 13 3 Context

Chapter 13 of Jeremiah continues the prophet's public ministry, which is characterized by symbolic actions and prophetic pronouncements of judgment against Judah. In the preceding verses, God announces judgment is coming due to Judah's persistent idolatry and defiance. Verse 3 marks the beginning of a specific, tangible illustration God commands Jeremiah to perform. This act is designed to visually represent the impending spiritual and national ruin of Judah. Historically, this occurs during a period of increasing pressure from Babylon, foretelling Judah's eventual conquest and exile. The cultural context involves the symbolic use of garments to represent a person's identity, status, and spiritual condition. A clean, properly worn loincloth signifies purity and preparedness.

Jeremiah 13 3 Word Analysis

• "Go" (Hebrew: לֵךְ - lekh): An imperative, commanding action. It signifies a direct order from God.
• "Take" (Hebrew: קַח - qakh): Another imperative, meaning to grasp or acquire. Jeremiah is to obtain a specific item.
• "linen" (Hebrew: בּוּץ - butz): Refers to fine, high-quality linen. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fine linen was often associated with purity, priesthood, and royalty, signifying status and cleanliness.
• "loincloth" (Hebrew: חֲגֹרָה - chagōrāh): A belt or sash worn around the waist, typically used to secure clothing. It signifies being ready for action or the essential covering.
• "about your loins" (Hebrew: עַל־מָתֶיךָ - al-matheykhā): "Upon your hips" or "around your waist." This indicates personal attachment and a vital part of one's clothing, close to the body.
• "and" (Hebrew: וְ - we): Connects the command to take the loincloth with the subsequent action.
• "put it" (Hebrew: שִׂימֶנָּה - simeṇāh): "Place it" or "set it." Indicates deposition or wearing.
• "on your waist" (Hebrew: מָתֶיךָ - mathēyka): The waist or hips, reinforcing the intimate and personal nature of the object.

Words-group analysis:

• "Take...about your loins": This phrase establishes a personal and intimate connection between Jeremiah and the linen loincloth, mirroring God's intimate relationship with Israel. The loincloth's position emphasizes it as foundational and close to the person.
• "linen loincloth": The choice of linen, especially fine linen, creates a stark contrast with its future defiled state. Linen often symbolized purity and sacredness. This contrast amplifies the severity of the coming defilement.

Jeremiah 13 3 Bonus Section

The choice of a loincloth as opposed to other garments carries symbolic weight. It's the innermost layer, directly in contact with the body, symbolizing the core identity and inner life of the nation. The "fading" and becoming "good for nothing" points to a complete loss of function and purpose, a consequence of disobedience that renders the chosen people ineffective and eventually leads to their removal from God's presence and land. This imagery serves as a potent visual sermon about the devastating effects of sin on the covenant relationship between God and His people. The unfaded linen initially represents Israel's initial consecration and calling to be a pure nation set apart for God, which they have squandered.

Jeremiah 13 3 Commentary

Jeremiah is commanded to take a linen loincloth, an item typically worn next to the skin and thus intimately personal. This simple act is a divine sign. The linen itself is significant, often symbolizing purity. God intends for Jeremiah to wear this loincloth. The specific instruction to not wash it highlights its impending corruption. This prepares the audience for a message about how their unfaithfulness has made them impure and spiritually unusable. The prophet's personal involvement makes the message visceral and unforgettable, illustrating that Judah, like a soiled loincloth, has lost its purity and divine favor, becoming unfit for its purpose as God's chosen people. Their identity has been compromised by sin, leading to divine rejection and consequences.