Go, etc.] It is doubtful whether this and the subsequent acts of the prophet were real or done only in symbol. As, however, Jeremiah appears to have been absent from Jerusalem during the most of the latter years of Jehoiachin, he may well be supposed during part of that time to have been in or near Babylon: cp. Jeremiah 13:4. This would account for the kindly feeling shown towards him afterwards by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 39:11), which seems to point to an earlier acquaintance.
The girdle represents the people of Judah (Jeremiah 13:9-10). Jehovah chose them for His service and glory, but they turned away and served other gods. Therefore as the girdle lost its beauty, so will they lose their beauty and come to ruin beside the Euphrates.