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.

For as the girdle {H232} cleaveth {H1692} to the loins {H4975} of a man {H376}, so have I caused to cleave {H1692} unto me the whole house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} and the whole house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; that they might be unto me for a people {H5971}, and for a name {H8034}, and for a praise {H8416}, and for a glory {H8597}: but they would not hear {H8085}.

For just as a loincloth clings to a man's body, I made the whole house of Isra'el and the whole house of Y'hudah cling to me,' says ADONAI, 'so that they could be my people, building me a name and becoming for me a source of praise and honor. But they would not listen.

For just as a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I have made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, declares the LORD, so that they might be My people for My renown and praise and glory. But they did not listen.

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 Jehovah; that they may be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

Commentary

Jeremiah 13:11 powerfully illustrates God's profound desire for an intimate relationship with His people, Israel and Judah, and their tragic failure to reciprocate that closeness. This verse concludes the significant parable of the rotten linen girdle, serving as a direct explanation of its symbolic meaning.

Context

This verse is the interpretive key to the parable of the linen girdle (Jeremiah 13:1-11). The prophet Jeremiah was commanded by God to buy a linen belt, wear it, and then hide it in a rock crevice by the Euphrates River. When he later retrieved it, the girdle was spoiled and "profitable for nothing" (Jeremiah 13:7). This object lesson was a vivid prophecy to the people of Judah, particularly during the pre-exilic period when they were drifting further from God. The girdle represented the close bond God intended to have with His chosen people, while its decay symbolized their spiritual corruption and the impending judgment of exile due to their idolatry and disobedience.

Key Themes

  • God's Intimate Desire for Relationship: The central metaphor of the girdle cleaving to the loins emphasizes God's intention for His people to be inseparably close to Him. Just as a belt is essential, close-fitting, and visible, so God desired Israel and Judah to be deeply connected to His very being. This highlights God's covenantal love and His initiative in drawing them near.
  • Divine Purpose and Glory: God's intention for this close relationship was that "they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory." Israel was chosen to be a unique people, set apart to demonstrate God's character and power to the surrounding nations. Their faithfulness would bring God renown and honor, reflecting His glory to the world, much like Exodus 19:5-6 describes them as a "peculiar treasure" and a "kingdom of priests."
  • Human Disobedience and Rejection: The heartbreaking conclusion, "but they would not hear," reveals the tragic reality of Israel and Judah's rebellion. Despite God's persistent efforts and clear purpose, they chose to turn away from Him, pursuing idolatry and injustice. This rejection of God's covenant love led to their spiritual decay, symbolized by the rotten girdle, and ultimately resulted in the judgment of exile. This echoes the warnings found throughout Deuteronomy 28 regarding the curses of disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew word translated "cleaveth" is dabaq (דָּבַק), which means to cling, stick fast, join oneself to, or be joined. It denotes an intense, inseparable bond. This same word is used in Genesis 2:24 to describe a man "cleaving" to his wife, indicating the depth of intimacy and commitment God desired with His people. The repetition of "cleave unto me" emphasizes God's active role in seeking and maintaining this relationship.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 13:11 serves as a timeless reminder of God's desire for a close, intimate relationship with His people—a desire that extends to believers today. Just as God intended Israel to be His "girdle," He calls us to cleave to Him, to live in such a way that our lives bring Him "a name, and for a praise, and for a glory."

This verse challenges us to examine:

  • Our Closeness to God: Are we truly cleaving to Him, seeking His presence and guidance daily, or have we allowed spiritual rot to set in through neglect and disobedience?
  • Our Purpose: Do our lives reflect God's glory to the world, or are we more concerned with our own praise and glory? We are called to be a light, to be His witnesses in the world, much like Matthew 5:16 instructs us to let our light shine.
  • Our Willingness to Hear: The phrase "but they would not hear" is a stark warning. God speaks to us through His Word, His Spirit, and circumstances. Are we truly listening and obeying, or are we hardening our hearts?

Ultimately, this verse underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in maintaining a vibrant relationship with God, reminding us that while God is always faithful, our response determines the fruitfulness of that bond.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 19:5 (5 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:6 (5 votes)

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 33:9 (5 votes)

    And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

  • Psalms 81:11 (4 votes)

    But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

  • Isaiah 43:21 (4 votes)

    This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

  • Deuteronomy 4:7 (2 votes)

    For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?

  • John 5:37 (2 votes)

    And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.