Jeremiah 13:2

So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put [it] on my loins.

So I got {H7069} a girdle {H232} according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, and put {H7760} it on my loins {H4975}.

So I bought a loincloth, as ADONAI had said, and put it on.

So I bought a loincloth as the LORD had instructed me, and I put it around my waist.

So I bought a girdle according to the word of Jehovah, and put it upon my loins.

Jeremiah 13:2 marks the prophet Jeremiah's immediate and faithful obedience to a specific divine command, setting the stage for a profound symbolic act. This verse initiates a visual parable intended by God to convey a powerful message to the people of Judah.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, a girdle (Hebrew: 'ezor, אֵזוֹר) was an essential item of clothing, typically a belt or loincloth, worn around the waist to secure outer garments and allow freedom of movement. It symbolized readiness for action, strength, and preparedness for work or travel. The Lord's instruction to Jeremiah to acquire this linen girdle is detailed in Jeremiah 13:1, emphasizing that Jeremiah's action is not arbitrary but "according to the word of the LORD." This prophetic act was part of God's communication strategy during a critical period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time when Judah was steeped in idolatry and spiritual decline.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to God's Word: Jeremiah's prompt acquisition and wearing of the girdle, as commanded, underscore his unwavering submission to divine instruction. This highlights a central theme in prophetic ministry: the prophet as a faithful messenger who obeys God's directives, even when they are unusual or challenging.
  • Prophetic Symbolism: This seemingly simple act is the beginning of a vivid object lesson. The girdle's journey and eventual degradation (described in subsequent verses of Jeremiah 13) would serve as a powerful metaphor for Judah's spiritual corruption and the shame of their impending judgment and exile. God often used such tangible actions to make His messages more impactful, as seen in other prophets like Ezekiel's siege tableau or Isaiah walking naked and barefoot.
  • Divine Initiative: The phrase "according to the word of the LORD" emphasizes that God is the initiator of this plan, actively revealing His will and warning His people through His chosen prophet.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "girdle," 'ezor (אֵזוֹר), specifically refers to a waistcloth or belt. The fact that it was made of linen (mentioned in Jeremiah 13:1) is significant, as linen was often associated with purity and priestly garments. This material choice makes its later defilement (as described in the verses that follow) even more striking, symbolizing the defilement of God's chosen people.

Practical Application

Jeremiah's immediate and unquestioning obedience serves as a powerful model for believers today. It reminds us that true faith often involves heeding God's instructions even when their purpose isn't immediately clear or seems unconventional. Our willingness to "gird up the loins of our mind"—to prepare ourselves spiritually and practically for service and righteousness, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:13—is a testament to our trust in God's sovereign plan. This verse underscores the importance of not just hearing God's word, but actively doing it, as highlighted in James 1:22.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 2:8

    But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

  • Isaiah 20:2

    At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Proverbs 3:5

    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  • Hosea 1:2

    ¶ The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, [departing] from the LORD.

  • Hosea 1:3

    So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

  • John 13:6

    Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

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