Jeremiah Chapter 13

The Linen Belt

1Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. 2So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins. 3And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, 4Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. 5So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. 6And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. 7Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

8Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. 11For 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.

The Wineskins

12Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? 13Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. 14And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.

Captivity Threatened

15Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

18Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

19The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

20Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?

21What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

22And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.

23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

24Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

25This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

26Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

27I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Linen Loincloth

1 Thus says Yahweh to me, Go, and buy yourself a linen belt, and put it on your waist, and don’t put it in water. 2 So I bought a belt according to the word of Yahweh, and put it on my waist. 3 The word of Yahweh came to me the second time, saying, 4 Take the belt that you have bought, which is on your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock. 5 So I went, and hid it by the Euphrates, as Yahweh commanded me. 6 It happened after many days, that Yahweh said to me, Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take the belt from there, which I commanded you to hide there. 7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where I had hidden it; and behold, the belt was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 9 Thus says Yahweh, In this way I will mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this belt, which is profitable for nothing. 11 For as the belt clings to the waist of a man, so have I caused to cling to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says Yahweh; that they may be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

The Wineskins

12 Therefore you shall speak to them this word: Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall tell you, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? 13 Then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings who sit on David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness. 14 I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, says Yahweh: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have compassion, that I should not destroy them.

Captivity Threatened

15 Hear, and give ear; don’t be proud; for Yahweh has spoken.

16 Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death, and makes it gross darkness.

17 But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock is taken captive.

18 Say to the king and to the queen mother, Humble yourselves, sit down; for your headdresses have come down, even the crown of your glory.

19 The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.

20 Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north: where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?

21 What will you say, when he shall set over you as head those whom you have yourself taught to be friends to you? shall not sorrows take hold of you, as of a woman in travail?

22 If you say in your heart, Why are these things come on me? for the greatness of your iniquity are your skirts uncovered, and your heels suffer violence.

23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.

24 Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that passes away, by the wind of the wilderness.

25 This is your lot, the portion measured to you from me, says Yahweh; because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

26 Therefore will I also uncover your skirts on your face, and your shame shall appear.

27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, Jerusalem! You will not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?

The Linen Loincloth

1 This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.”

2 So I bought a loincloth as the LORD had instructed me, and I put it around my waist.

3 Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time: 4 “Take the loincloth that you bought and are wearing, and go at once to Perath a and hide it there in a crevice of the rocks.”

5 So I went and hid it at Perath, as the LORD had commanded me.

6 Many days later the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to Perath, and get the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there.” 7 So I went to Perath and dug up the loincloth, and I took it from the place where I had hidden it. But now it was ruined—of no use at all.

8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “This is what the LORD says: In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 These evil people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who go after other gods to serve and worship them, they will be like this loincloth—of no use at all.

11 For just as a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I have made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, declares the LORD, so that they might be My people for My renown and praise and glory. But they did not listen.

The Wineskins

12 Therefore you are to tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Every wineskin shall be filled with wine.’

And when they reply, ‘Don’t we surely know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?’ 13 then you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land—the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the people of Jerusalem. 14 I will smash them against one another, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no mercy or pity or compassion to keep Me from destroying them.’ ”

Captivity Threatened

15 Listen and give heed. Do not be arrogant,

for the LORD has spoken.

16 Give glory to the LORD your God

before He brings darkness,

before your feet stumble

on the dusky mountains.

You wait for light,

but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.

17 But if you do not listen,

I will weep in secret because of your pride.

My eyes will overflow with tears,

because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

18 Say to the king

and to the queen mother:

“Take a lowly seat,

for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”

19 The cities of the Negev have been shut tight,

and no one can open them.

All Judah has been carried into exile,

wholly taken captive.

20 Lift up your eyes and see

those coming from the north.

Where is the flock entrusted to you,

the sheep that were your pride?

21 What will you say when He sets over you

close allies whom you yourself trained?

Will not pangs of anguish grip you,

as they do a woman in labor?

22 And if you ask yourself,

“Why has this happened to me?”

It is because of the magnitude of your iniquity

that your skirts have been stripped off

and your body has been exposed. b

23 Can the Ethiopian c change his skin,

or the leopard his spots?

Neither are you able to do good—

you who are accustomed to doing evil.

24 “I will scatter you like chaff

driven by the desert wind.

25 This is your lot,

the portion I have measured to you,”

declares the LORD,

“because you have forgotten Me

and trusted in falsehood.

26 So I will pull your skirts up over your face,

that your shame may be seen.

27 Your adulteries and lustful neighings,

your shameless prostitution

on the hills and in the fields—

I have seen your detestable acts.

Woe to you, O Jerusalem!

How long will you remain unclean?”

Footnotes:

4 a Or possibly to the Euphrates ; similarly in verses 5–7
22 b Literally and your heels have suffered violence
23 c Hebrew that Cushite ; that is, probably a person from the upper Nile region

The Linen Belt

1Thus said Jehovah unto me, 'Go, and thou hast got for thee a girdle of linen, and hast placed it on thy loins, and into water thou dost not cause it to enter:' 2and I get the girdle, according to the word of Jehovah, and I place it on my loins. 3And there is a word of Jehovah unto me a second time, saying, 4Take the girdle that thou hast got, that is on thy loins, and rise, go to Phrat, and hide it there in a hole of the rock; 5and I go and hide it by Phrat, as Jehovah commanded me. 6And it cometh to pass, at the end of many days, that Jehovah saith unto me, 'Rise, go to Phrat, and take thence the girdle, that I commanded thee to hide there;' 7and I go to Phrat, and dig, and take the girdle from the place where I had hid it; and lo, the girdle hath been marred, it is not profitable for anything.

8And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying, 'Thus said Jehovah: 9Thus do I mar the excellency of Judah, And the great excellency of Jerusalem. 10This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, Who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, And go after other gods to serve them, And to bow themselves to them, Yea it is -- as this girdle, that is not profitable for anything. 11For, as the girdle cleaveth unto the loins of a man, So I caused to cleave unto Me The whole house of Israel, And the whole house of Judah, an affirmation of Jehovah, To be to Me for a people, and for a name, And for praise, and for beauty, And they have not hearkened.

The Wineskins

12And thou hast said unto them this word, Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, 'Every bottle is full of wine,' And they have said unto thee: 'Do we not certainly know that every bottle is full of wine?' 13And thou hast said unto them, 'Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am filling all the inhabitants of this land, And the kings who sit for David on his throne, And the priests, and the prophets, And all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, With drunkenness, 14And have dashed them one against another, And the fathers and the sons together, An affirmation of Jehovah, I do not pity, nor spare, nor have I mercy, So as not to destroy them.

Captivity Threatened

15Hear, and give ear -- be not haughty, For Jehovah hath spoken.

16Give ye to Jehovah your God honour, Before He doth cause darkness, And before your feet stumble on dark mountains, And ye have waited for light, And He hath made it for death-shade, And hath appointed it for thick darkness.

17And if ye do not hear it, In secret places doth my soul weep, because of pride, Yea, it weepeth sore, And the tear cometh down mine eyes, For the flock of Jehovah hath been taken captive.

18Say to the king and to the mistress: Make yourselves low -- sit still, For come down have your principalities, The crown of your beauty.

19The cities of the south have been shut up, And there is none opening, Judah hath been removed -- all of her, She hath been removed completely --

20Lift up your eyes, and see those coming in from the north, Where is the drove given to thee, thy beautiful flock?

21What dost thou say, when He looketh after thee? And thou -- thou hast taught them to be over thee -- leaders for head? Do not pangs seize thee as a travailing woman?

22And when thou dost say in thy heart, 'Wherefore have these met me?' For the abundance of thine iniquity Have thy skirts been uncovered, Have thy heels suffered violence.

23Doth a Cushite change his skin? and a leopard his spots? Ye also are able to do good, who are accustomed to do evil.

24And I scatter them as stubble, Passing away, by a wind of the wilderness.

25This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from Me -- an affirmation of Jehovah, Because thou hast forgotten me, And dost trust in falsehood.

26I also have made bare thy skirts before thy face, And thy shame hath been seen.

27Thine adulteries, and thy neighings, The wickedness of thy whoredom, on heights in a field, I have seen thine abominations. Woe to thee, O Jerusalem, Thou art not cleansed, after when is it again?

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Jeremiah 13?

1.1Introduction to Jeremiah 13

1.2Context of Jeremiah 13

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Jeremiah 13 Unique Insights

1.6Jeremiah 13 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Jeremiah 13 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Jeremiah 13 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Jeremiah 13?

Introduction to Jeremiah 13

The thirteenth chapter of Jeremiah presents one of the most vivid and memorable prophetic object lessons in Scripture. Through the powerful imagery of a ruined linen waistband and the sobering metaphor of wine jars filled with drunkenness, יהוה (Yahweh) dramatically illustrates the coming judgment upon Judah’s pride and their spiritual deterioration. This chapter serves as a masterful blend of symbolic actions, poetic prophecy, and divine warning that remains deeply relevant for believers today.

The prophet’s message hits particularly close to home as he employs everyday items – a piece of clothing and wine jars – to communicate profound spiritual truths about pride, intimacy with God, and the devastating consequences of turning away from Him. The raw emotional weight of God’s plea to His people, coupled with the stark imagery of judgment, creates a powerful call to repentance that transcends its historical context.

Context of Jeremiah 13

This chapter falls within the first major section of Jeremiah’s prophecies (chapters 1-25), which primarily deals with God’s judgment against Judah. It comes after a series of warnings about false prophets and before further announcements of coming devastation. The timing likely places these events during the reign of Jehoiakim or possibly early in Jehoiachin’s reign, as Babylon’s threat looms ever larger on Judah’s horizon.

The symbolic actions commanded in this chapter align with God’s frequent use of object lessons through Jeremiah’s ministry. Like the potter’s house (Jeremiah 18:1-10) and the broken flask (Jeremiah 19:1-15), the ruined waistband serves as a tangible illustration of spiritual truth. This method of prophecy was particularly effective in reaching a people who had become spiritually dull through persistent rebellion.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter reflects themes found throughout Scripture about pride leading to destruction (Proverbs 16:18), the intimate relationship God desires with His people (Exodus 19:5-6), and the devastating effects of spiritual adultery (Hosea 2:2-13).

Ancient Key Word Study

אֵזוֹר (ezor) – “waistband/belt”: This term specifically refers to a linen garment worn close to the skin, symbolizing intimacy. The word appears in 2 Kings 1:8 describing Elijah’s leather belt, suggesting prophetic authority. Its use here emphasizes the close relationship God desired with His people.
שָׁחַת (shachat) – “ruined/corrupted”: This powerful verb carries the idea of destruction and moral corruption. It’s the same word used in Genesis 6:11 to describe the earth’s corruption before the flood, indicating severe moral degradation.
גָּאוֹן (gaon) – “pride”: This Hebrew term can mean either legitimate majesty or sinful arrogance. Here it clearly refers to the latter, showing how Judah had twisted their special status into self-importance rather than humble service.
שִׁכָּרוֹן (shikkaron) – “drunkenness”: Beyond mere physical intoxication, this word metaphorically represents spiritual stupor and moral confusion. It appears in contexts of divine judgment where people stagger under God’s wrath.
חֹשֶׁךְ (choshek) – “darkness”: Used both literally and figuratively, this word represents spiritual blindness and divine judgment. It echoes the darkness of Egypt’s plagues, suggesting a similar divine intervention.
נֶגֶף (negef) – “stumble”: This verb pictures more than physical stumbling; it represents moral failure and divine judgment. It’s often used to describe military defeat and national calamity.
דִּמְעָה (dimah) – “tears”: This emotive term appears frequently in Jeremiah, representing genuine sorrow and repentance. It connects to the prophet’s role as the “weeping prophet.”
פָּצָה (patzah) – “scattered”: The word carries the violent image of being forcibly dispersed, like sheep scattered by wolves. It emphasizes the traumatic nature of the coming exile.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1: The choice of לִנֵּן (linen) rather than צֶמֶר (wool) for the waistband is significant. Linen was used in priestly garments (Exodus 28:42), emphasizing Israel’s calling to be a kingdom of priests. The corrupted linen symbolizes their failure in this calling.
Verse 4: The command to hide the waistband by the Euphrates (פְרָת) rather than a local stream carries geographical significance, pointing to Babylon as the instrument of judgment. Some scholars suggest “Parah” (a location near Anathoth) instead, but the prophetic symbolism of Babylon is more fitting.
Verse 9: The phrase “mar the pride” (אַשְׁחִית אֶת־גְּאוֹן) uses the same root as “corrupted” (שָׁחַת) from verse 7, creating a wordplay showing God using corruption to judge corruption.
Verse 11: The comparison to a waistband “clinging” (דָּבַק) deliberately echoes Genesis 2:24, suggesting the intimate covenant relationship God desired with Israel.
Verse 13: The imagery of filling with wine (יַיִן) rather than another liquid connects to joy turned to judgment, as wine symbolized both blessing and wrath in Hebrew thought.
Verse 16: The command to “give glory” (תְּנוּ כָבוֹד) uses the same phrase as Joshua 7:19, connecting to Achan’s confession and suggesting the need for national repentance.
Verse 17: The phrase “in secret places” (בְּמִסְתָּרִים) regarding Jeremiah’s weeping contrasts with Israel’s secret sins, showing genuine versus false hiddenness before God.
Verse 23: The reference to the Ethiopian’s skin and leopard’s spots uses natural impossibilities to emphasize spiritual inability, chosen over other possible metaphors for their universal recognition.

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?

This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

I’m ready

Jeremiah 13 Unique Insights

The chapter contains a fascinating parallel to ancient Near Eastern treaty ceremonies. When covenants were made, garments were often exchanged as symbols of the relationship. The corrupted waistband thus represents not just sin but a violated covenant relationship, making the symbolism even more powerful for ancient readers familiar with these customs.

Rabbinic tradition, particularly in the Midrash Rabbah, connects the linen waistband incident with the exodus from Egypt, suggesting that just as the Israelites left Egypt with fine garments that didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy 8:4), their spiritual garments could be corrupted through disobedience. This interpretation adds depth to the prophetic symbolism and connects to the larger exodus motif in Jeremiah.

The early church father Origen saw in the wine jars a prediction of the spiritual drunkenness that would affect not only Israel but also the nations, ultimately finding its solution in the Messiah who would drink the cup of God’s wrath on behalf of His people. This interpretation, while maintaining theological accuracy, points to the universal application of the chapter’s principles.

The geographic movement in the chapter – from Jerusalem to the Euphrates and back – creates a prophetic map of the coming exile, with the corrupt waistband serving as a microcosm of the nation’s journey. This physical movement mirrors the spiritual deterioration of the people, making the prophecy both concrete and deeply symbolic.

Jeremiah 13 Connections to Yeshua

The imagery of the waistband being marred foreshadows how the Messiah would take our corruption upon Himself. Just as the waistband was buried and ruined, Yeshua would be buried but, unlike the waistband, would rise again in glory. This contrast highlights the superiority of the New Covenant established through His blood.

The chapter’s emphasis on pride and its destruction finds its ultimate answer in the Messiah who “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). The wine imagery, speaking of judgment in Jeremiah, is transformed by Yeshua into a symbol of the New Covenant at the Last Supper, showing how He would bear the judgment pictured here.

Jeremiah 13 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates deeply with various biblical themes and passages. The intimacy symbolized by the waistband echoes Exodus 19:5-6, where God calls Israel His “special treasure.” The image of drunkenness as judgment appears again in Revelation 14:10, showing the continuity of divine judgment imagery.

The theme of pride leading to destruction connects with Daniel 4:37 and James 4:6. The weeping of Jeremiah preludes Yeshua’s weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), showing God’s heart for His rebellious people.

The inability to change one’s evil ways (Jeremiah 13:23) finds its answer in the New Covenant promise of Ezekiel 36:26-27, pointing to the necessary work of divine grace in transformation.

Jeremiah 13 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own relationship with pride and our intimacy with God. Just as the waistband was meant to cling closely to the waist, we are called to cling closely to the Lord. How often do we allow pride, self-sufficiency, or worldly influences to create distance between us and God?

The vivid imagery of this chapter should prompt us to consider: What in our lives needs to be brought into the light before it becomes like a corrupted waistband? Are there areas where we’re experiencing spiritual drunkenness – confusion about God’s will or truth? The call to give glory to God before darkness falls remains urgently relevant.

Did You Know

The journey to the Euphrates River would have been approximately 700 miles round trip, showing Jeremiah’s extraordinary obedience in carrying out this prophetic sign.
The type of waistband mentioned was similar to what priests wore during their temple service, making the symbolism particularly pointed for a nation called to be a kingdom of priests.
Ancient Jewish traditions suggest this prophecy was delivered during a period of drought, making the contrast between the water-ruined waistband and the parched land particularly meaningful.
The Hebrew word for “pride” (גָּאוֹן) appears three times in this chapter, emphasizing its central theme and creating a powerful rhetorical effect.
The reference to the “queen mother” likely refers to Nehushta, whose influence in the royal court was significant during this period.
The darkness mentioned in verse 16 uses the same Hebrew word (חֹשֶׁךְ) as in Genesis 1:2, suggesting a return to chaos through judgment.
The leopard imagery would have been particularly vivid for Jeremiah’s audience, as leopards were still common in the Holy Land during this period.
The mention of “crown” in verse 18 uses a word (עַטְרוֹת) that specifically refers to a crown of glory or beauty, emphasizing what was being lost through sin.

Have you been blessed?

This website has over 46,000 Biblical resources, made possible through the generosity of the 0.03% of supporters like you. If you’ve been blessed today, please consider sending a gift.

send a gift

Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

Articles: 46867

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments