Question: What does the word “skirts” refer to in Jeremiah 13:26?
Biblical Context and Symbolism
Let’s first examine the biblical passage for context. Jeremiah 13 speaks of God’s judgment on the people of Judah for their persistent unfaithfulness. The passage from Jeremiah 13:24–27 (NKJV) reads:
“Therefore I will scatter them like stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness.
This is your lot,
The portion of your measures from Me,” says the Lord,
“Because you have forgotten Me
And trusted in falsehood.
Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face,
That your shame may appear.
I have seen your adulteries
And your lustful neighings,
The lewdness of your harlotry,
Your abominations on the hills in the fields.
Woe to you, O Jerusalem!
Will you still not be made clean?”
Understanding “Skirts”
The word “skirts” or “the lower garment” in English. In the context of Jeremiah 13:26, it refers to women’s clothing that covers the lower body specifically, a part of the clothing that symbolizes modesty and dignity.
To “uncover the skirts” is a symbolic phrase used in ancient Hebrew culture to refer to exposing someone’s nakedness, which was a form of shame, judgment, and disgrace. In Scripture, exposing nakedness is often used figuratively to describe the public shame or punishment of a person or a nation due to sin.
Theological Significance: Israel as God’s Unfaithful Bride
In Scripture, Israel is often depicted as a woman – particularly as a bride or wife to God. When Israel turned to idolatry and false gods, God described their behavior as spiritual adultery.
This allegory is used throughout the Bible:
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Jeremiah 3:1–10 – speaks of Israel as an unfaithful wife.
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Ezekiel 16 – describes in graphic terms the harlotry of Jerusalem.
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Hosea – is an entire book using the prophet’s marriage to a prostitute to symbolize God’s relationship with Israel.
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Isaiah 1:21 – “How the faithful city has become a harlot!”
So, when God says in Jeremiah 13:26, “I will uncover your skirts over your face,” He is not literally speaking to a woman, but to the nation of Judah, symbolically referred to as a woman who has committed spiritual adultery.
Historical Fulfillment
This prophecy was fulfilled when the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon. Their “shame” – that is, their idolatry, corruption, and betrayal of God – was publicly exposed before the nations. Their destruction and deportation were a visible humiliation of what had previously been done in secret.
Compare this with:
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Lamentations 1:8–9 (NKJV)
“Jerusalem has sinned gravely,
Therefore she has become vile.
All who honored her despise her
Because they have seen her nakedness;
She herself sighs and turns away.
Her uncleanness is in her skirts;
She did not consider her destiny;
Therefore her collapse was awesome;
She had no comforter.”
Here again, “uncleanness in her skirts” symbolizes sin that was hidden but now publicly known.
God’s Jealousy and the Call to Repentance
God’s relationship with His people is described with covenantal love – similar to a marriage. When His people turn away from Him, it evokes His righteous jealousy.
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James 4:4–5 (NKJV)
“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? … Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’?”
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1 Corinthians 10:21–22 (NKJV)
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; … Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?”
A Modern Call to Holiness
Just as God judged Israel and Judah for abandoning Him, the same warning applies today to the Church and to individuals who claim to follow God yet live in rebellion or spiritual compromise.
God still calls for holiness, faithfulness, and repentance. The exposure of “skirts” (marinda) is a metaphor for divine judgment that brings hidden sins to light.
Conclusion
The phrase “I will uncover your skirts” (Jeremiah 13:26) is a prophetic metaphor representing God’s judgment. “Marinda” refers to modest clothing that, when lifted or removed, reveals shame – symbolizing the exposure of sin. God used this image to portray how He would bring Israel’s hidden sins to public shame because of their unfaithfulness to Him.
The message remains timeless: God desires a pure, faithful people, and unrepentant sin will always be exposed. The call is to return to Him in humility and repentance.
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