Jeremiah 13:1

CHAPTER XIII

This chapter contains an entire prophecy. The symbol of the

linen girdle, left to rot for a considerable time, was a type

of the manner in which the glory of the Jews should be marred

during the course of their long captivity, 1-11.

The scene of hiding the girdle being laid near the Euphrates,

intimated that the scene of the nation's distress should be

Chaldea, which that river waters. The next three verses, by

another emblem frequently used to represent the judgments of

God, are designed to show that the calamities threatened should

be extended to every rank and denomination, 12-14.

This leads the prophet to a most affectionate exhortation to

repentance, 15-17.

But God, knowing that this happy consequence would not ensue,

sends him with an awful message to the royal family

particularly, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem in general,

declaring the approaching judgments in plain terms, 18-27.

The ardent desire for the reformation of Jerusalem, with which

the chapter concludes, beautifully displays the compassion and

tender mercy of God.

NOTES ON CHAP. XIII

Verse Jeremiah 13:1. Thus saith the Lord unto me] This discourse is supposed to have been delivered under the reign of Jeconiah, the son and successor of Jehoiakim, who came to the throne in the eighteenth year of his age; when the Chaldean generals had encamped near to Jerusalem, but did not besiege it in form till Nebuchadnezzar came up with the great body of the army. In these circumstances the prophet predicts the captivity; and, by a symbolical representation of a rotten girdle, shows the people their totally corrupt state; and by another of bottles filled with wine, shows the destruction and madness of their counsels, and the confusion that must ensue.

Go and get thee a linen girdle] This was either a vision, or God simply describes the thing in order that the prophet might use it in the way of illustration.

Put it not in water.] After having worn it, let it not be washed, that it may more properly represent the uncleanness of the Israelites; for they were represented by the girdle; 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." And as a girdle is as well for ornament as use; God took them for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory, Jeremiah 13:11.