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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 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, 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.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 13:10

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words ,.... Sent by the prophets, to whom they turned a deaf ear; and though they pressed them, and importunately desired them to give them a hearing, they refused it; and this showed them to be a bad people, very degenerate and wicked; and which further appears by what follows: which walk in the imagination of their heart ; which was evil, stubborn, and rebellious, see Jeremiah 7:24 , and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 13:11

For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man ,.... Being girt tight unto him: so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Judah ; whom he chose above all people, and caused to approach unto him, and dwell in his courts; whom he favoured with his presence, and encouraged them to follow after him, and cleave to him in faith and affection, and with full purpose of heart; so that they were a people near unto him as a man's girdle is to his loins:... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 13:10

Verse 10 The Prophet said, according to what we observed yesterday, that the people would be like the belt which he had hidden in a hole and found putrified: but now the cause is expressed why God had resolved to treat them with so much severity. He then says that he would be an avenger, because the Jews had refused to obey his voice, and preferred their own inventions in walking after the hardness, or the wickedness of their own heart We hence see that the cause of this calamity was, that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 13:11

Verse 11 He confirms what we noticed yesterday, — that the Jews entertained a foolish confidence, and promised themselves perpetual happiness, because God had chosen them as his people. This indeed would have been a perpetual glory to them, had they not violated their pledged faith; but their defection rendered void God’s covenant as far as they were concerned: for though God never suffered his faithfulness to fail, however false and perfidious they were, yet the adoption from which they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-11

The entire people of the Jews is like a good-for-nothing apron. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-11

The spoiled girdle. I. GOD 'S PEOPLE ARE LIKE A GIRDLE TO GOD . 1. They are his peculiar property . The girdle is a private personal possession. It belongs solely to the wearer. When all ordinary property is taken from him he retains the clothes on his body. Even the bankrupt has a right to these. 2. They are near to God. This girdle—really an under-garment—is close to the person of the wearer. God does not simply hold his people as an absentee landlord holds his... read more

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

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