Jeremiah 13:1

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} unto me, Go {H1980} and get {H7069} thee a linen {H6593} girdle {H232}, and put {H7760} it upon thy loins {H4975}, and put {H935} it not in water {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to me, "Go, buy yourself a linen loincloth, and wrap it around your body; but don't soften it in water."

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.”

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah unto me, Go, and buy thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:1 introduces a pivotal symbolic act commanded by the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah. This divine instruction to acquire and wear a linen girdle, specifically forbidding its washing, initiates a powerful visual prophecy designed to illustrate Judah's intimate but defiled relationship with God, foreshadowing their impending spiritual decay and the severe judgment that would follow their persistent disobedience and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:1 marks the commencement of a significant prophetic sign-act, a common literary device employed by Jeremiah to convey God's messages more powerfully than words alone. This chapter follows a series of warnings and laments regarding Judah's unfaithfulness, particularly their idolatry and spiritual adultery (e.g., [Jeremiah 3](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - Judah's Unfaithfulness")). The command to obtain the girdle sets the stage for the subsequent unfolding of its symbolic meaning throughout the chapter, culminating in the explicit interpretation in [Jeremiah 13:11](/jeremiah/13-11 "Jeremiah 13:11 - The Girdle's Meaning"). This act is one of several "sign-acts" Jeremiah performs, such as the broken pottery ([Jeremiah 19](/jeremiah/19 "Jeremiah 19 - The Broken Jar")), all designed to visually impress upon a hardened people the certainty of God's word and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last kings of Judah leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). At this time, Judah, especially Jerusalem and its leadership, was deeply entrenched in syncretism and moral corruption, having largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh for foreign gods and practices. Despite repeated prophetic warnings, the people remained unrepentant. Girdles were essential garments in ancient Israel, worn close to the body, often around the loins, to secure clothing and provide support for physical labor or travel. Linen, specifically, was a prized material, often associated with purity and worn by priests ([Exodus 28:42](/exodus/28-42 "Exodus 28:42 - Priestly Linen Garments")) and those in positions of honor. The command to keep the linen girdle unwashed would have immediately signaled an unusual and significant departure from typical practice, as washing was a common means of purification and maintenance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces and contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is **Symbolic Prophecy**, where physical objects and actions serve as tangible representations of spiritual truths and divine decrees. The girdle, worn intimately, symbolizes God's desire for an **Intimate Covenantal Relationship** with Judah, whom He intended to be His "glory and praise" ([Jeremiah 13:11](/jeremiah/13-11 "Jeremiah 13:11 - Judah as God's Girdle")). However, the command not to wash it immediately foreshadows the theme of **Spiritual Defilement and Corruption** that had afflicted Judah. Jeremiah's immediate **Obedience to Divine Command** highlights the prophet's fidelity and the authority of God's word, even when the command is unusual or difficult. Ultimately, the deteriorating girdle (as described later in the chapter) serves as a stark **Warning of Impending Judgment and Exile**, emphasizing the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness and their refusal to be cleansed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, indicating His self-existent, eternal nature. Its presence at the beginning of the divine command emphasizes that the instruction is not merely human advice but a direct, authoritative word from the sovereign God of Israel, the one who established the covenant with Judah and holds them accountable.
* **girdle (Hebrew, _ʼêzôwr'_):** Referring to a belt or loincloth worn close to the body, this object immediately conveys intimacy and proximity. In the context of the prophecy, it symbolizes Judah's intended closeness to God, a relationship meant to be one of dependence, service, and honor, much like a garment clings to a person.
* **water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** While literally meaning "water," this term often carries connotations of purification and cleansing in biblical contexts, particularly in ritual law. The explicit prohibition "put it not in water" is therefore highly significant, setting up the girdle's inevitable defilement and ruin, symbolizing Judah's deliberate refusal to undergo spiritual cleansing and their descent into moral decay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD unto me,"**: This opening phrase is a prophetic formula, asserting the divine origin and authority of the message. It underscores that Jeremiah is merely the messenger, conveying a direct revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This establishes the gravity and certainty of the ensuing command.
* **"Go and get thee a linen girdle,"**: Jeremiah is commanded to actively acquire a specific item. The "linen" material (Hebrew _pishteh_) is significant, often associated with purity, cleanliness, and priestly garments, suggesting the initial pristine state and potential for holiness of the object, and by extension, of Judah. The act of "getting" or "buying" (Hebrew _qânâh_) implies a deliberate, intentional acquisition for a specific purpose.
* **"and put it upon thy loins,"**: The instruction to wear the girdle "upon thy loins" (Hebrew _môthen_) emphasizes its intimate proximity to the body. The loins were considered a place of strength and vitality, and a girdle worn there signifies a close, integral connection. This symbolizes God's desire for Judah to be intimately bound to Him, serving as His glory and strength.
* **"and put it not in water."**: This is the crucial, counter-intuitive command. Water, typically used for cleansing and purification, is explicitly forbidden. This prohibition immediately sets the stage for the girdle's inevitable defilement and decay, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for Judah's spiritual corruption and their refusal to be cleansed from their idolatry and sin, leading to their ultimate ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:1 is rich in **Symbolism**, where the linen girdle itself is not just an object but a profound representation. The linen symbolizes purity and the potential for holiness, while its placement "upon thy loins" symbolizes the intimate covenant relationship God desired with Judah, a people meant to cling to Him and bring Him glory. The command to "put it not in water" employs **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**: water is typically for cleansing, yet its prohibition guarantees defilement, ironically prefiguring Judah's refusal of spiritual purification and their subsequent decay. This entire passage functions as a **Prophetic Sign-Act**, a form of visual communication where the prophet's actions embody the divine message, making the abstract concept of spiritual decay tangible and impactful for the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates God's persistent efforts to communicate with His people, even in their rebellion. It highlights the nature of God's covenant with Israel as one of intimate relationship, akin to a garment clinging to the body, intended for mutual glory and honor. However, it also underscores the devastating consequences of spiritual defilement and unfaithfulness. Judah's refusal to be "washed" from their sins, symbolized by the unwashed girdle, leads to their spiritual decay and eventual judgment. The divine command to Jeremiah emphasizes God's sovereignty and His use of unconventional means to awaken a complacent people to the gravity of their sin and the certainty of His justice. This act serves as a stark reminder that intimate relationship with God demands purity and faithfulness, and that persistent rebellion inevitably leads to separation and ruin.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 32:15-18](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15-18 - Jeshurun's Rebellion")
* [Hosea 2:2-5](/hosea/2-2 "Hosea 2:2-5 - Israel's Unfaithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:1 serves as a potent reminder of the intimate relationship God desires with His people and the critical importance of spiritual purity. Just as the linen girdle was meant to be pure and worn close to the prophet, so too are believers called to live a life of holiness, reflecting God's glory and clinging to Him. The command not to wash the girdle, leading to its defilement, is a powerful metaphor for spiritual negligence: when we refuse to allow God to cleanse us through His Word and Spirit, our spiritual state deteriorates, leading to separation from His presence and the inevitable consequences of sin. This verse encourages us to actively pursue spiritual cleansing and renewal, recognizing that a close walk with God necessitates a commitment to purity and responsiveness to His transforming grace. It challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we might be resisting God's cleansing work, lest we, like Judah, experience the decay that comes from spiritual compromise and unfaithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be resisting God's cleansing work in my life, metaphorically "not putting myself in water"?**
* **What does the symbol of the girdle worn "upon the loins" teach me about the intimacy God desires in my relationship with Him?**
* **How can I more intentionally pursue spiritual purity and allow God to transform areas of defilement in my heart and life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "linen girdle" in this prophecy?**

Answer: The linen girdle is highly significant as a symbolic object. Linen (Hebrew _pishteh_) was a material associated with purity and often used for priestly garments ([Exodus 28:42](/exodus/28-42 "Exodus 28:42 - Priestly Linen Garments")), suggesting an initial state of holiness or potential for it. Worn "upon the loins," it symbolizes the intimate, close relationship God intended to have with Judah, whom He desired to be His "glory and praise" ([Jeremiah 13:11](/jeremiah/13-11 "Jeremiah 13:11 - The Girdle's Meaning")). The subsequent defilement of the unwashed girdle represents Judah's spiritual corruption and their refusal to remain pure and faithful to God, leading to their eventual ruin and exile.

**Why was Jeremiah commanded not to put the girdle in water?**

Answer: The command "put it not in water" is crucial because water (Hebrew _mayim_) was commonly used for purification and cleansing in ancient Israelite rituals and daily life. By forbidding its washing, God immediately sets up the girdle to become soiled, stained, and eventually ruined, as described later in the chapter. This deliberate act of preventing cleansing serves as a powerful visual metaphor for Judah's spiritual condition: they had deliberately chosen to remain in their sin and idolatry, refusing God's repeated calls to repentance and purification. Their unrepentant heart meant they would inevitably experience the decay and judgment that comes from spiritual defilement, just as the unwashed girdle would decay.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 13:1 directly addresses Judah's defilement and impending judgment, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate solution to humanity's spiritual impurity. The linen girdle, initially pure but destined for ruin due to the prohibition of water, vividly portrays the human condition under sin – a state of inherent defilement that cannot cleanse itself. Humanity, like the unwashed girdle, is incapable of achieving the purity required for intimate fellowship with a holy God. However, Christ enters this narrative as the perfect embodiment of purity and the ultimate source of cleansing. Unlike the girdle that could not be washed, believers are commanded to be washed and sanctified by the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Blood")). The intimate relationship God desired with Judah, symbolized by the girdle on the loins, is fully realized in Christ, who perfectly embodies the covenant and brings believers into a new, unblemished union with God, not through their own efforts but through His atoning work ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). He is the one who enables us to be truly "clean" and to "cling" to God, becoming His glory and praise, fulfilling the very purpose Judah failed to achieve.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 13:11

For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

Hebrews 1:1

¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Jeremiah 27:2

Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,

Ezekiel 4:1

¶ Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, [even] Jerusalem:

Ezekiel 4:5

For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

Jeremiah 19:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and [take] of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;