John Gill Commentary 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 Jehovah; that they may be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear." — Jeremiah 13:11 (ASV)

For as the girdle cleaves to the loins of a man, being girt tight to him, so I have caused to cleave to me the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Judah;

whom he chose above all people, and caused to approach to him, and dwell in his courts; whom he favored 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 to him as a man's girdle is to his loins:

and the end of this was, and would have been, had they continued so, that they might be to me for a people; his own people, a special and peculiar people above all others, peculiarly favored and blessed by him, and continue so, and in the enjoyment of all good things:

and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; for a famous and renowned people, that should be to the praise and glory of God, and an honor to him, and an ornament to the profession of him; whereas they were the reverse:

but they would not hear; the words of the Lord, nor obey his voice; but served other gods, departed from the Lord, to whom they should have cleaved, and so became like this rotten girdle.