Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 13:1-11
Here is, I. A sign, the marring of a girdle, which the prophet had worn for some time, by hiding it in a hole of a rock near the river Euphrates. It was usual with the prophets to teach by signs, that a stupid unthinking people might be brought to consider, and believe, and be affected with what was thus set before them. 1. He was to wear a linen girdle for some time, Jer 13:1, Jer 13:2. Some think he wore it under his clothes, because it was linen, and it is said to cleave to his loins, Jer 13:11. It should rather seem to be worn upon his clothes, for it was worn for a name and a praise, and probably was a fine sash, such as officers wear and such as are commonly worn at this day in the eas…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 13:6
after many days--Time enough was given for the girdle to become unfit for use. So, in course of time, the Jews became corrupted by the heathen idolatries around, so as to cease to be witnesses of Jehovah; they must, therefore, be cast away as a "marred" or spoiled girdle.
John Gill on Jeremiah 13:7
Then I went to Euphrates,.... In a vision; this is the second journey, of which See Gill on Jeremiah 13:5,
and digged; the hole, in process of time, being stopped up with soil or sand, that were thrown up over it; this digging was in a visionary way; see Ezekiel 8:8,
and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it; which he knew again by some token or another:
and, behold, the girdle was marred; or "corrupted" (q); it was become rotten by the washing of the water over it, and its long continuance in such a place:
it was profitable for nothing; it could not be put upon a man's loins, or be wore any more; nor was it fit for any other use, it was so sadly spoiled and so thoroughly rot…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Jeremiah 13:1-9
Jeremiah 13:1-9
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.
1. Sic dicit Jehova mihi, Vade et compara tibi cingulum lineum, et pone illud super renes tuos, et in aquas ne inferas illud.
2. So I got a girdle, according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins,
2. Et comparavi mihi cingulum (paravi, ad verbum) sicuti mandave-rat Jehova, et posui (vel, applicavi) illud ad renes meos.
3. And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,
3. Et factus est sermo Jehovae ad me secundo, dicendo,
4. Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it ther…
