Jeremiah 1:17

“Thou therefore gird up thy loins, etc.] The loins both of his mind and body. The allusion is to the custom of the eastern countries in wearing long garments, who, when they went about business, girt them about them for quicker dispatch; and here it designs haste and expedition in doing the Lord’s work, as well as courage and resolution of mind: and arise; and go from Anathoth to Jerusalem: and speak unto them all that I command thee; (See Gill on “<240107>Jeremiah 1:7”), be not dismayed at their faces; (See Gill on “<240108>Jeremiah 1:8”), lest I confound thee before them; show resentment at him in some way or another, which would make him ashamed before them. The Septuagint and Arabic…”

“gird . . . loins--resolutely prepare for thy appointed task. Metaphor from the flowing robes worn in the East, which have to be girt up with a girdle, so as not to incommode one, when undertaking any active work (Job 38:3; Luk 12:35; Pe1 1:13). dismayed . . . confound--the same Hebrew word; literally, "to break." Be not dismayed at their faces (before them), lest I make thee dismayed before their faces (before them), that is, "lest I should permit thee to be overcome by them" (compare Jer 49:37).”

“Gird up thy loins - A symbol of preparation for earnest exertion, and implying also firm purpose, and some degree of alacrit Be not dismayed ... - literally, “be not dismayed at their faces, lest I dismay thee before their faces.” Naturally despondent and self-distrustful, there was yet no feebleness in Jeremiah’s character. There was in him a moral superiority of the will, which made him, at any cost to himself, faithfully discharge whatever his conscience told him was his duty. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gird up - It is a speech taken from the custom of the countries where they wore long garments; and therefore they girt them up about them, that they might not hinder them in any work that required expedition. Consume thee - Lest I destroy thee even in their sight, to become their reproach. Jeremiah 1:18”

“1:17 Jeremiah was afraid of looking foolish as the Lord’s messenger (see Jeremiah Book Introduction, “Literary Features: The Messenger System”). In reality, it would be foolish of Jeremiah to refuse to do as God commanded.”

“gird up: Kg1 18:46; Kg2 4:29, Kg2 9:1; Job 38:3; Luk 12:35; Pe1 1:13 and speak: Jer 1:7, Jer 23:28; Exo 7:2; Eze 3:10, Eze 3:11; Jon 3:2; Act 20:20, Act 20:27 be not: Jer 1:8, Jer 17:18; Exo 3:12; Eze 2:6, Eze 2:7; Th1 2:2 confound thee: or, break thee to pieces, Eze 3:14-18, Eze 33:6-8; Co1 9:16 Jeremiah 1:18”

“The interpretation of the symbols is followed by a charge to Jeremiah to address himself stoutly to his duties, and to discharge them fearlessly, together with still further and fuller assurance of powerful divine assistance. "But thou, gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command thee: be not dismayed before them, lest I dismay thee before them. Jer 1:18. And I, behold I make thee this day a strong city, an iron pillar, a brazen wall against the whole land, the kings of Judah its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. Jer 1:19. They shall strive against thee, but not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith Jahveh, to save thee." To gird up the loins,…”