Jeremiah 13:11

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks through Jeremiah to the whole house of Israel and Judah. This declaration follows a parable condemning those who reject His words and follow their own stubborn hearts.

The words — יִדְבּ֨ק (yidbak) translates literally as "it clings" and describes the loincloth's physical adherence to a man's waist. The verse applies this concrete image to show how Yahweh bound Israel and Judah to Himself.

The thread — The purpose of covenant identity for divine renown runs through Exodus 19:5, Isaiah 43:21, and Jeremiah 33:9. These passages align with Jeremiah 13:11 by defining the people's existence around God's glory rather than independent will.

Why it lands — The text states that God formed His people to cling to Him for His praise, yet records their refusal to listen. Readers must confront the reality that chosen status does not guarantee obedience and demands active alignment with God's declared purpose.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כִּ֡יkifor כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ka./'a.Sherjust/ as יִדְבַּ֨קyid.Bakit clings הָאֵז֜וֹרha./'e.Zor<the>/ loincloth אֶל־'el-to מָתְנֵי־ma.te.nei-[the] loins of אִ֗ישׁ'Isha person כֵּ֣ןkenso הִדְבַּ֣קְתִּיhid.Bak.tiI have made cling אֵ֠לַי'E.la/ito/ me אֶת־'et-<obj.>כָּל־kol-all בֵּ֨יתbeit[the] house of יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לYis.ra.'ElIsrael וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>כָּל־kol-all בֵּ֤יתbeit[the] house of יְהוּדָה֙ye.hu.DahJudah נְאֻם־ne.'um-[the] utterance of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh לִֽהְי֥וֹתli/h.Yotto/ becomeלִי֙l/ifor <the>/ meלְעָ֔םle./'Am<into>/ a people וּלְשֵׁ֥םu./le./Shemand/ <into>/ a name וְלִתְהִלָּ֖הve./li/t.hi.Lahand/ <into>/ praise וּלְתִפְאָ֑רֶתu./le./tif.'A.retand/ <into>/ honor וְלֹ֖אve./Lo'and/ not שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃sha.Me.'uthey listened

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
Isaiah 43:21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
Jeremiah 33:9 So this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, who will hear of all the good I do for it. They will tremble in awe because of all the goodness and prosperity that I will provide for it.
Psalms 81:11 But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
Deuteronomy 4:7 For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
Deuteronomy 26:18 And today the LORD has proclaimed that you are His people and treasured possession as He promised, that you are to keep all His commandments,
Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye.
Psalms 135:4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, Israel as His treasured possession.
Psalms 147:20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 62:12 And they will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of The LORD; and you will be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.