Then 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.

JEREMIAH 13:7KJV
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Jeremiah 13:7 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:7 mean?

Jeremiah 13:7 describes how Jeremiah went to the Euphrates River, dug up the linen belt he had hidden there, and found it ruined and useless. The verse shows the result of Jeremiah’s earlier action, revealing that the belt was now spoiled and could no longer serve its purpose.

In this verse, Jeremiah is following God’s instructions as part of a symbolic act meant to teach a lesson to the people of Judah. The ruined belt represents something that was once valuable but has become worthless. This sets up a message about the consequences of ignoring God, as the belt’s condition is meant to illustrate the spiritual state of the people.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:7

  • "marred" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means ruined, spoiled, or corrupted. Its use here emphasizes that the belt was not just dirty or worn, but completely destroyed and beyond repair.
  • "profitable" (צָלַח, tsalach): This word means useful or successful. The verse stresses that the belt had lost all value and could not serve any purpose, highlighting the total loss.

Why Jeremiah 13:7 matters

  • The verse clears up that the belt’s destruction was not accidental but a direct result of being buried and neglected, making the symbol more powerful.
  • Jeremiah’s actions are not just for show; they are a living picture for the people, connecting the physical state of the belt to their own spiritual condition.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger passage, where God uses everyday objects and actions to communicate serious warnings to His people.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“Euphrates” Hebrew H6578 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
  • Jeremiah 13:5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.

“digged” Hebrew H2658 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 21:30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
  • Genesis 26:32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
  • Job 3:21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

“hid” Hebrew H2934 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
  • Job 20:26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
  • Psalms 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.