קַ֧ח אֶת־הָאֵזֹ֛ור אֲשֶׁ֥ר קָנִ֖יתָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־מָתְנֶ֑יךָ וְקוּם֙ לֵ֣ךְ פְּרָ֔תָה וְטָמְנֵ֥הוּ שָׁ֖ם בִּנְקִ֥יק הַסָּֽלַע׃
In Yirmeyahu 13:4, the prophet is given a cryptic command: take a linen girdle, wear it, then travel far — to Perath — and hide it in the crevice of a rock. This act is not merely symbolic; it is performative prophecy, where movement, location, and concealment all carry theological weight.
But beyond its imagery lies a fascinating grammatical structure — the use of imperatives stacked in sequence, with minimal explanation, creating a sense of urgency and inevitability. The verbs are few, but their form and order shape the prophetic message as powerfully as any spoken oracle.
The Imperative Chain: A Prophetic Sequence of Action
The verse opens with a cascade of commands:
קַח… וְקוּם… וְלֵךְ… וְטָמְנֵהוּ
“Take… and arise… and go… and hide it.”
This chain of imperatives is striking for its abruptness. No reason is given. No explanation follows. Just a series of actions that must be carried out by the prophet himself. The form is typical of prophetic performance language — direct, urgent, and laden with unspoken meaning.
| Word | Root | Form | Literal Translation | Grammatical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| קַח | ק-ח-ת | Qal imperative, m.s. | “Take” | First in the sequence of prophetic action. |
| קוּם | קוּם | Qal imperative, m.s. | “Arise” | Indicates physical movement in prophetic narrative. |
| לֵךְ | ה-ל-ך | Qal imperative, m.s. | “Go” | Paired with קוּם to emphasize journey. |
| טָמְנֵהוּ | ט-מ-ן | Hiphil imperative + suffix, m.s. | “Hide it” | Final act in the symbolic performance. |
This string of imperatives creates a rhythm of obedience — no room for question, only action. It mirrors earlier prophetic patterns where divine instruction is given without immediate explanation, demanding trust and compliance from the recipient.
“To Perath” — A Geographic Marker with Grammatical Mystery
The phrase:
פְּרָ֔תָה
This is usually understood as referring to the Euphrates River — though some scholars debate whether this means the actual river or a symbolic reference to a distant place. Grammatically, it appears in the masculine singular locative form (with הָ at the end), indicating direction or placement.
What’s unusual is that this word appears alone, without the expected preposition (אֶל or בְּ). The direct command “go to Perath” is linguistically stark — reinforcing the immediacy of the act.
This syntactic brevity enhances the enigmatic nature of the task. The reader is left wondering: why this place? Why hide something so carefully? But the text offers no clarification — only movement and concealment.
From Girdle to Nation: The Symbolism Encoded in Syntax
The object of the command — the linen girdle — is introduced with deliberate repetition:
אֶת־הָאֵזֹור אֲשֶׁר קָנִיתָ אֲשֶׁר עַל־מָתְנֶיךָ
“The girdle which you bought, which was on your loins.”
Note how the relative clause is repeated — not once, but twice. First, אֲשֶׁר קָנִיתָ (“which you bought”), then אֲשֶׁר עַל־מָתְנֶיךָ (“which was on your loins”). This double relative clause emphasizes both ownership and intimacy — the girdle is not just an object, but a personal item, close to the body.
This linguistic closeness foreshadows the symbolism later revealed in the chapter: the girdle represents Judah itself — once bound to God, now hidden away in ruin. The grammar prepares us for the metaphor before it is spoken outright.
“In the Cleft of the Rock”: Location as Linguistic Emphasis
The final clause reads:
בִּנְקִיק הַסָּלַע
“In the cleft of the rock.”
Note the prepositional phrase בִּנְקִיק — literally, “in a hole,” or “in a crevice.” The preposition בְּ here indicates concealment, not mere placement. This is not a public deposit — it is an act of hiding.
The definite noun הַסָּלַע (“the rock”) adds specificity. Though general in appearance, it suggests a known landmark — perhaps even one with symbolic resonance. In other biblical texts, rocks often represent refuge, permanence, or judgment.
Combined, the phrase בִּנְקִיק הַסָּלַע becomes more than a location — it is a grammatical marker of divine removal: what was once worn close is now buried deep, out of sight.
The Verb That Hides Meaning
In Yirmeyahu 13:4, language does more than instruct — it symbolizes. Through a rapid sequence of imperatives, the verse propels the prophet forward without pause for understanding. Through repetition and emphasis, it attaches significance to the girdle, making it more than cloth — it becomes covenant, identity, and eventually, loss.
And through the final act of concealment — וְטָמְנֵהוּ שָׁם — the text encodes the fate of Judah long before it is spoken aloud. For those who know how to read, the grammar already tells the story: what was near is now hidden, what was intimate is now estranged, and what was worn in service is now lost in the cleft of a distant stone.