Jeremiah 13:1
New International Version
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water.”

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it on, but do not wash it.”

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD to me, “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, and do not dip it in water.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Thus the LORD said to me: “Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”

NASB 1995
Thus the LORD said to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen waistband and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”

NASB 1977
Thus the LORD said to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen waistband, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus Yahweh said to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen belt and put it around your loins, but do not put it in water.”

Amplified Bible
Thus the LORD said to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen waistband and put it on your loins, but do not put it in water.”

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment and put it on. But do not put it in water.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy yourself a linen undergarment and put it on, but do not put it in water.”

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah unto me, Go, and buy thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD told me, "Go and buy a pair of linen shorts. Wear them for a while, but don't wash them."

English Revised Version
Thus said the LORD unto me, Go, and buy thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD said to me: "Buy a linen belt. Put it around your waist. Don't let it get wet."

Good News Translation
The LORD told me to go and buy myself some linen shorts and to put them on; but he told me not to put them in water.

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD told me: "Go and buy a linen belt for yourself, and put it around your waist. But don't let it get wet."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
The LORD said to me, "Go and buy some linen shorts and put them on. Do not put them in water."

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD to me, "Go, and buy yourself a linen belt, and put it on your waist, and do not put it in water."

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD to me, Go and get for thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to me, “Go, and buy yourself a linen belt, and put it on your waist, and don’t put it in water.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH to me: “Go, and you have acquired a girdle of linen for yourself, and have placed it on your loins, and you do not cause it to enter into water.”

Young's Literal Translation
Thus 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:'

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah to me, Go buy for thee a girdle of linen, and put it upon thy loins, and thou shalt not cause it to come into water.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord to me: Go, and get thee a linen girdle, and thou shalt put it about thy loins, and shalt not put it into water.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord to me: “Go, and obtain for yourself a linen waistcloth. And you shall place it over your loins, and you shall not put it into water.”

New American Bible
The LORD said to me: Go buy yourself a linen loincloth; wear it on your loins, but do not put it in water.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus said the LORD to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth, and put it on your loins, but do not dip it in water.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THUS says the LORD unto me, Go and buy for yourself a linen girdle, and put it on your loins, and do not put it in water.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus LORD JEHOVAH said to me: “Go buy yourself a loin cloth of linen, and bind it on your waist and you shall not wash it in water
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus said the LORD unto me: 'Go, and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, Go and procure for thyself a linen girdle, and put it about thy loins, and let it not be put in water.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Linen Loincloth
1This 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.” 2So I bought a loincloth as the LORD had instructed me, and I put it around my waist.…

Cross References
Isaiah 20:2-4
the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot. / Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame.

Ezekiel 4:1-3
“Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem. / Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides. / Then take an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between yourself and the city. Turn your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 5:1-4
“As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword, use it as a barber’s razor, and shave your head and beard. Then take a set of scales and divide the hair. / When the days of the siege have ended, you are to burn up a third of the hair inside the city; you are also to take a third and slash it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them. / But you are to take a few strands of hair and secure them in the folds of your garment. ...

Hosea 1:2-3
When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.” / So Hosea went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

1 Kings 11:29-31
During that time, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met Jeroboam on the road as he was going out of Jerusalem. Now Ahijah had wrapped himself in a new cloak, and the two of them were alone in the open field. / And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, / and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.

Zechariah 11:10-14
Next I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. / It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD. / Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. ...

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Acts 21:10-11
After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. / Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

Revelation 1:13
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 19:13-16
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. / The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. / And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ...

John 13:4-5
So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. / After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.

Acts 9:11-12
“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. / In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Matthew 21:1-7
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples, / saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. / If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” ...

Mark 11:1-7
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples / and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD to me, Go and get you a linen girdle, and put it on your loins, and put it not in water.

A.

Jeremiah 13:11
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, 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.

Jeremiah 19:1
Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

Jeremiah 27:2
Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,

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Jeremiah 13
1. By the type of a linen belt, hidden at Euphrates,
9. God prefigures the destruction of his people.
12. By the parable of bottles filled with wine he foretells their drunkenness in misery.
15. He exhorts to prevent their future judgments.
22. He shows their abominations are the cause thereof.














This is what the LORD said to me
The phrase underscores the divine origin of the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction sets the tone for the prophetic action that follows, highlighting the authority and direct communication between God and His prophet, Jeremiah. It reminds us of the personal relationship God maintains with His chosen messengers and His desire to communicate His will to His people.

Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth
The instruction to "go and buy" indicates a deliberate action that Jeremiah must undertake, symbolizing obedience and the importance of the prophetic act. The "linen loincloth" is significant; linen was a fabric often associated with purity and priestly garments in ancient Israel (Exodus 28:39-42). The loincloth, or girdle, was an intimate garment, symbolizing closeness and personal relationship. This act represents Israel's intended closeness to God, chosen to be a holy nation set apart for His purposes.

and put it around your waist
Placing the loincloth around the waist signifies the intended purpose of the garment—to be worn closely and intimately. In the Hebrew context, the waist is a place of strength and action, symbolizing readiness and preparedness. This act illustrates how Israel was meant to be bound to God, serving as His representative and living in accordance with His commandments.

but do not let it touch water
The prohibition against letting the loincloth touch water suggests the need to keep it pure and undefiled. Water, in this context, could symbolize external influences or impurities that might corrupt the garment. This instruction serves as a metaphor for Israel's need to remain uncontaminated by idolatry and sin, maintaining their purity and dedication to God. It highlights the importance of holiness and the consequences of failing to uphold God's standards.

(1) A linen girdle.--The point of comparison is given in Jeremiah 13:11. Of all garments worn by man the girdle was that most identified with the man's activity, nearest to his person. The "linen girdle" was part of Jeremiah's priestly dress (Exodus 28:40; Leviticus 16:4), and this also was significant in the interpretation of the symbolic act. Israel, represented as the girdle of Jehovah, had been chosen for consecrated uses. The word "get" implies the act of purchasing, and this too was not without its symbolic significance.

Put it not in water.--The work of the priest as a rule necessarily involved frequent washings both of flesh and garments. The command in this case was therefore exceptional. The unwashed girdle was to represent the guilt of the people unpurified by any real contact with the "clean water" of repentance (Ezekiel 36:25). In the "filthy garments" of Joshua, in Zechariah 3:3, we have a like symbolism. This seems a much more natural interpretation than that which starts from the idea that water would spoil the girdle, and sees in the command the symbol of God's care for His people. . . .

Verses 1-11. - The entire people of the Jews is like a good-for-nothing apron. Verse 1. - A linen girdle; rather, a linen apron. "Girdle" is one of the meanings of the Hebrew ('ezor), but is here unsuitable. As Ver. 11 shows, it is an inner garment that is meant, one that "cleaveth to the loins of a man" (in fact, περίζωμα of the Septuagint, the lumbare of the Vulgate). The corresponding Arabic word, 'izar, has, according to Lane, the meaning of "waist-wrapper.' Israel was to Jehovah in as close a relation spiritually as that in which the inner garment referred to is to him who wears it materially. There is an Arabic proverb which well illustrates this: "He is to me in place of an 'izar" (Freytag, 'Studium der Arab. Spraohe,' p. 298). "A linen apron" may perhaps be specified, because linen was the material of the priestly dress (Leviticus 16:4), and Israel was to be spiritually" a kingdom of priests." But this is not absolutely necessary. The common man used linen in his dress as well as the priest; the only difference between them was that the priest was confined to linen garments. But an ,' apron" would in any case naturally be made of linen. Linen; literally, flax (a product of Judah, Hosea 2:5). Put it not in water. The object of the prohibition is well stated by St. Jerome. It was at once to symbolize the character of the people of Israel, stiff and impure, like unwashed linen, and to suggest the fate in store for it (Ver. 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
אָמַ֨ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me:
אֵלַ֗י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Go
הָל֞וֹךְ (hā·lō·wḵ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and buy
וְקָנִ֤יתָ (wə·qā·nî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

yourself a linen
פִּשְׁתִּ֔ים (piš·tîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6593: Flax, linen

loincloth
אֵז֣וֹר (’ê·zō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 232: Something girt, a belt, a band

and put
וְשַׂמְתּ֖וֹ (wə·śam·tōw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

it around
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your waist,
מָתְנֶ֑יךָ (mā·ṯə·ne·ḵā)
Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins

but do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

let it touch
תְבִאֵֽהוּ׃ (ṯə·ḇi·’ê·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

water.”
וּבַמַּ֖יִם (ū·ḇam·ma·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 13:1 Thus says Yahweh to me Go (Jer.)
Jeremiah 12:17
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