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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-11

The marred girdle. This and the following emblem are intended to symbolize the characters and punishment of pride in spiritual and carnal men respectively. The "girdle" of linen cloth worn by the priest represents the close relation of Judah and Jerusalem to Jehovah. He had chosen them, and taken them into closest fellowship. They were as his cincture to declare his character and glory to men. But they had abused his confidence. For them, therefore, the fate was reserved which is described... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-11

The marred girdle. I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GIRDLE . This is set before us clearly in Jeremiah 13:11 . God chose something which should illustrate the close connection between Israel and himself, and yet which should illustrate at the same time how easily that connection could be severed. The girdle was, of course, a familiar part of an Israelite's apparel. Not exactly a necessity, for a man could perhaps do without it; and yet a necessity in this sense, that habit had made... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-12

The ruined girdle; or, it may be too late to mend. The much-needed lesson of this section was taught by means of one of those acted parables of which we have so many instances both in the Old Testament and in the New: e.g. Zedekiah's horns of iron ( 1 Kings 22:11 ); the strange marriages of Isaiah 8:1 , Hosea 1:2 ; the two yokes ( Jeremiah 27:2 ); and in the New Testament, our Lord's standing the little child in the midst of the disciples; the washing the disciples' feet; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:8-11

Explanation of the symbol. Could there be a greater humiliation for Judah and Jerusalem than to be compared to a rotting linen apron? The hard things said of this evil people in Jeremiah 13:10 must of course be understood with the limitations indicated in the note on Jeremiah 9:15 , Jeremiah 9:16 . Imagination should (as usual) be stubbornness . The explanation in Jeremiah 9:11 is a strong argument for the rendering "apron" (see above, on Jeremiah 9:1 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 13:10

This verse limits the application of the symbol. Only the ungodly and the idolatrous part of the people decayed at Babylon. The religious portion was strengthened and invigorated by the exile Jeremiah 24:5-7. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 13:11

The reason why the girdle was chosen as the symbol. Similarly, Israel was the people chosen and set apart that in and by them the Holy Spirit might work for the salvation of mankind. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 13:9

Jeremiah 13:9. After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, &c. Or, as some translate the verse, “Will I mar the glory of Judah, and the great honour of Jerusalem.” I will bring down their pride and stubbornness, by making them slaves and vassals to strangers, Lamentations 5:8; Lamentations 5:13. Or, alluding to the transaction about the girdle, “I will transport them beyond the Euphrates; I will bide them in Babylon, as in the hole of a rock, whence they cannot come out. They shall... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 13:11

Jeremiah 13:11. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man Here God shows the prophet why he commanded him to put the girdle about his loins. So have I caused Rather, had I caused; to cleave unto me the house of Israel I had betrothed them to myself in righteousness, and entered into a marriage covenant with them, that they might cleave to me as a wife cleaveth to her husband. By the laws I gave them, the prophets I sent among them, and the favours which, in my providence, I... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-27

A nation useless and disgraced (13:1-27)In an effort to emphasize God’s warnings to Judah more forcefully, Jeremiah gave them an illustration that they could all see. He took a piece of clean new cloth, put it around his waist, then walked to a distant river where he buried the cloth in the river bank. Some time later he returned to the river and brought back the cloth for all to see. It was now rotten and useless (13:1-7). The meaning is that Judah, the nation that was supposed to be morally... read more

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