Jeremiah Chapter 13 · Verse 11

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֡י H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ H834
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּי cleaveth H1692
הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּי cleaveth
Strong's: H1692
Word #: 3 of 28
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
הָאֵז֜וֹר For as the girdle H232
הָאֵז֜וֹר For as the girdle
Strong's: H232
Word #: 4 of 28
something girt; a belt, also a band
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
מָתְנֵי to the loins H4975
מָתְנֵי to the loins
Strong's: H4975
Word #: 6 of 28
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
אִ֗ישׁ of a man H376
אִ֗ישׁ of a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 7 of 28
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כֵּ֣ן H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 8 of 28
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּי cleaveth H1692
הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּי cleaveth
Strong's: H1692
Word #: 9 of 28
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
אֵ֠לַי H413
אֵ֠לַי
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֤ית and the whole house H1004
בֵּ֤ית and the whole house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 13 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֤ית and the whole house H1004
בֵּ֤ית and the whole house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 17 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָה֙ of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָה֙ of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 18 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 19 of 28
an oracle
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 20 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִֽהְי֥וֹת H1961
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 21 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִי֙ H0
לִי֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 22 of 28
לְעָ֔ם that they might be unto me for a people H5971
לְעָ֔ם that they might be unto me for a people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 23 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּלְשֵׁ֥ם and for a name H8034
וּלְשֵׁ֥ם and for a name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 24 of 28
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְלִתְהִלָּ֖ה and for a praise H8416
וְלִתְהִלָּ֖ה and for a praise
Strong's: H8416
Word #: 25 of 28
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת and for a glory H8597
וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶת and for a glory
Strong's: H8597
Word #: 26 of 28
ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
וְלֹ֖א H3808
וְלֹ֖א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 27 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃ but they would not hear H8085
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃ but they would not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 28 of 28
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse explains the girdle symbolism: '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.' The verb davaq (דָּבַק, cleave, cling) describes intimate attachment—same word used for marriage in Genesis 2:24. God made Israel 'cleave' to Him with intimate closeness like an undergarment against skin. 'That they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory.' Four purposes: people (am), name (shem), praise (tehillah), glory (tiph'ereth). Israel was to be God's close possession, bringing Him honor. 'But they would not hear.' The tragic conclusion—they refused intimate relationship.

Historical Context

The girdle's intimate placement (against skin) represented God's desire for close relationship with Israel. The four purposes (people, name, praise, glory) echo election language throughout Deuteronomy and Isaiah. Israel was meant to display God's glory to the nations, bearing His name honorably. Instead, like the ruined girdle, they became worthless through corruption, failing their created purpose.

Questions for Reflection