The Ruined Linen Loin Belt: This passage records the first of Jeremiah’s symbolic actions. While most of the prophet’s prophecies are verbal utterances pure and simple, a surprising number of times these words are accompanied by actions that illustrate the message (according to Fretheim, Jeremiah, p. 204, other symbolic actions include 16:1–9; 18:1–11; 19:1–15; 25:15–29; 27–28; 32:1–15; 43:8–13; 51:59–64).

13:1–11 This particular prophetic action begins with the divine command to Jeremiah to go and buy a linen belt and put it around his waist. The belt is linen because Jeremiah is a priest (or the son of a priest) and priests wear linen undergarments. “Belt” may be a misleading translation anyway (see Additional Notes). What is clear is that this garment is worn around the waist tightly and…