Jeremiah 13:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָל֞וֹךְ
unto me Go
H1980
הָל֞וֹךְ
unto me Go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְקָנִ֤יתָ
and get
H7069
וְקָנִ֤יתָ
and get
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
6 of 15
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
וְשַׂמְתּ֖וֹ
and put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתּ֖וֹ
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָתְנֶ֑יךָ
it upon thy loins
H4975
מָתְנֶ֑יךָ
it upon thy loins
Strong's:
H4975
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
וּבַמַּ֖יִם
it not in water
H4325
וּבַמַּ֖יִם
it not in water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
13 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Cross References
Hebrews 1:1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,Jeremiah 13:11For 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.
Historical Context
Sign-acts (prophetic symbolic actions) were common prophetic methodology—Isaiah walked naked (Isaiah 20), Ezekiel performed numerous symbolic acts (Ezekiel 4-5, 12), Hosea married a prostitute (Hosea 1). These actions embodied the message, making it memorable and unavoidable. The linen girdle as priestly material connected to Judah's calling as 'kingdom of priests' (Exodus 19:6) now corrupted.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might God command a symbolic action rather than simply delivering verbal prophecy?
- What does linen material suggest about Judah's intended priestly identity?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins a symbolic action: '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.' God commands Jeremiah to acquire an ezor pishtim (אֵזוֹר פִּשְׁתִּים, linen waistband/undergarment). The instruction is specific: wear it but 'put it not in water' (lo-tavi'ehu bamayim)—don't wash it. This creates a dirty, sweaty garment clinging to the prophet's body. The symbolic act continues through verse 11, illustrating Judah's intimate relationship with God and subsequent corruption. Linen was priestly material (Exodus 28:42), emphasizing sacred connection.