Old Testament

Jeremiah 13:26

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

"I myself will strip your skirts up over your face so your shame is exposed for everyone to see.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

What Jeremiah 13:26 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the shame and disgrace that will come upon His people due to their unfaithfulness. The act of uncovering skirts symbolizes exposing their sins and the consequences of their actions. It signifies a loss of dignity and honor, revealing the reality of their spiritual condition. This imagery emphasizes that their wrongdoing will not remain hidden; it will be made evident to all. The shame mentioned here is not just personal but communal, affecting the entire nation. God is making it clear that their rebellion against Him will lead to public humiliation and suffering, serving as a warning to turn back to Him before it is too late. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance.

How to apply Jeremiah 13:26 to your life

This verse encourages us to reflect on our own lives and the areas where we may be hiding our sins. It reminds us that unconfessed sin can lead to public shame and consequences. We should seek to live transparently before God and others, embracing repentance and accountability to avoid the pitfalls of hidden wrongdoing.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Samuel anointing the young David in Bethlehem

Illustrated scene from David's story: Samuel Anoints David (1 Samuel 16:1–13)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

David

An old color photograph of Hebron on a hillside above olive groves.

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724987). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Hebron, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Hebron

Where Abraham lived and buried Sarah, and where David was first made king.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Jeremiah 13:26

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Jeremiah 13:26

At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 13:26 mean?

Jeremiah 13:26 uses the metaphor of uncovering skirts to illustrate the shame that will come upon God's people due to their unfaithfulness. It signifies that their sins will be exposed publicly, leading to humiliation and suffering as a consequence of their rebellion against God.

What is the significance of shame in Jeremiah 13:26?

In Jeremiah 13:26, shame represents the loss of dignity and honor that results from unfaithfulness to God. The verse emphasizes that the consequences of sin are not just personal but communal, affecting the entire nation.

What does the phrase 'strip your skirts' mean in Jeremiah 13:26?

The phrase 'strip your skirts' in Jeremiah 13:26 symbolizes the act of exposing one's sins and shame. It conveys the idea that God will reveal the wrongdoing of His people, making their disgrace evident to all.

How can we apply Jeremiah 13:26 to our lives today?

Jeremiah 13:26 encourages us to examine our lives for hidden sins and to seek transparency before God and others. It reminds us that unconfessed sin can lead to public shame, highlighting the importance of repentance and accountability.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.