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.

JEREMIAH 13:10KJV
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Jeremiah 13:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:10 mean?

Jeremiah 13:10 says that the people who refuse to listen to God, follow their own stubborn ideas, and chase after other gods will become useless, just like a ruined belt that serves no purpose. This verse warns that turning away from God leads to a loss of value and purpose.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah. The situation is one where the people have consistently ignored God's words and chosen to follow their own desires and worship other gods. The image of the "girdle" (belt) comes from an earlier object lesson in the chapter, where Jeremiah ruined a linen belt to show how the people, once close to God, have become spoiled and worthless because of their unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:10

  • "Imagination" (שְׁרִרוּת, sherirut): This word means stubbornness or the willful inclinations of the heart, not just daydreaming or fantasy. It highlights that the people are following their own stubborn desires rather than God's guidance.
  • "Girdle" (אֵזוֹר, ezor): This is a belt or sash, an everyday item worn close to the body. In the object lesson, its ruin shows how something meant for closeness and usefulness can become completely worthless when neglected or misused.
  • "Good" (צָלַח, tsalach): Here, the word means "profitable" or "useful." The ruined belt is "good for nothing," emphasizing that the people's disobedience has made them lose their intended value.

Why Jeremiah 13:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 13:10 clears up that the problem is not just outward actions but an inner stubbornness and refusal to listen, shown by the word for "imagination" meaning stubbornness.
  • The verse connects to the earlier object lesson in the chapter, making the warning vivid and memorable: just as the belt is ruined, so will the people be if they keep turning away from God.
  • It shows that the people's relationship with God was meant to be close and purposeful, but their choices have led to a loss of both intimacy and usefulness.

Where else these words appear

“imagination” Hebrew H8307 · used in 10 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
  • Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
  • Jeremiah 16:12 And 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:

“girdle” Hebrew H232 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
  • Isaiah 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
  • 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.

“good” Hebrew H6743 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • 1 Kings 22:15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
  • Isaiah 48:15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.