Jeremiah 17:11
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The common interpretation focuses on the partridge stealing eggs, but a more striking insight lies in the idea that even if she does hatch them, the young instinctively know she's not their true mother and abandon her. This highlights the ultimate emptiness of ill-gotten gains: even if acquired and seemingly enjoyed, they don't truly belong, and will ultimately leave the unjust possessor.
Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is in the midst of a powerful oracle contrasting the blessedness of trusting in the Lord with the curse on those who abandon Him. He’s just described the secure, thriving life of the faithful and is now launching into a vivid illustration of the ultimate futility of ill-gotten gain. This verse acts as a harsh warning, showing how wealth acquired unjustly is as unstable and ultimately fruitless as a bird brooding over eggs it didn't lay.
Jeremiah uses a striking image of a bird's futile efforts. What does this ancient picture teach us about the supposed security of dishonest wealth?
The prophet compares the person who gains riches unjustly to a partridge that broods over eggs she didn't lay.
A Fool's Foundation
Jeremiah doesn't just talk about losing wealth; he speaks of the person's ultimate standing. What does it mean to be called a 'fool' in God's eyes?
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The verse concludes with a stark judgment: 'at his end he will be a fool.' This isn't just about making a bad investment; it's about a profound, eternal misjudgment.
More Than Just Mistakes
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Refers to what is right, equitable, and in accordance with God's moral law and standard of holiness. In the context of wealth, it implies gaining possessions through honest, ethical, and God-honoring means.
nabal · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A person who lacks spiritual wisdom, moral discernment, and the fear of God. In biblical wisdom literature, a fool is one who rejects God's authority and lives according to their own corrupt desires.
This proverb was especially relevant in Jeremiah's time, as the people of Judah often pursued wealth through unjust means, like oppression and exploitation, leading to national judgment and the loss of all they had accumulated.
c. 7th century BC
Rise of Corrupt Practices
During the late monarchies of Judah, especially under kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim, there was a significant increase in social injustice, oppression, and corrupt economic practices, leading to widespread discontent and moral decay.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins his campaigns against Judah, deporting nobles and skilled workers to Babylon. This event signals the growing threat and eventual demise of the kingdom.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, King Jehoiachin and more of Judah's elite are exiled to Babylon. This further destabilizes the kingdom and sets the stage for its final destruction.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event marks the end of the Davidic monarchy and the nation of Judah as an independent entity.
During the Babylonian Exile (c. 586-539 BC)— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry and Prophecies
Jeremiah continues to prophesy during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and into the early years of the Babylonian exile, offering messages of judgment and eventual restoration to a chastened people.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 538 BC onwards
Return from Exile
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period, with challenges of restoration and re-establishing covenant faithfulness.
This proverb directly contrasts the faithful person with the one seeking ill-gotten gain, highlighting that a blessing comes from faithfulness, not hurried or dishonest wealth. It echoes Jeremiah's warning that true prosperity isn't built on unjust riches.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool illustrates the futility of accumulating wealth that is not from God or used wisely. Like the partridge that doesn't truly own the brood it hatches, the rich fool's wealth brings no lasting security or true fulfillment, mirroring Jeremiah's point about the eventual loss of unjust riches.
Job 20:14-19Job's friend Zophar describes how the riches gained by the wicked are ultimately snatched away, emphasizing their temporary and ultimately destructive nature. This provides a vivid parallel to Jeremiah's image of ill-gotten wealth vanishing like a brood that abandons its false mother.
Ecclesiastes 5:10This verse directly states that the love of money and the pursuit of riches, even if abundant, do not bring satisfaction. It aligns with Jeremiah's message that the focus on accumulating wealth, especially unjustly, leads to a foolish end, as true contentment is not found in possessions.
barnesJeremiah 17:11: "As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool."
Rather, "As the partridge hath gathered eggs which it laid not, so ..." The general sense is: the covetous man is as sure to reap finally disappointment only as is the partridge which piles up eggs not of her own laying, and is unable to hatch them. A fool - A Nabal. See 1 Samuel 25:25.
clarkeJeremiah 17:11: "As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool."
As the partridge - קרא kore. It is very likely that this was a bird different from our partridge. The text Dr. Blayney translates thus: - (As) the kore that hatcheth what it doth not lay (So is) he who getteth riches, and not according to right. "The covetous man," says Dahler, "who heaps up riches by…
The common interpretation focuses on the partridge stealing eggs, but a more striking insight lies in the idea that even if she does hatch them, the young instinctively know she's not their true mother and abandon her. This highlights the ultimate emptiness of ill-gotten gains: even if acquired and seemingly enjoyed, they don't truly belong, and will ultimately leave the unjust possessor.
Jeremiah is in the midst of a powerful oracle contrasting the blessedness of trusting in the Lord with the curse on those who abandon Him. He’s just described the secure, thriving life of the faithful and is now launching into a vivid illustration of the ultimate futility of ill-gotten gain. This verse acts as a harsh warning, showing how wealth acquired unjustly is as unstable and ultimately fruitless as a bird brooding over eggs it didn't lay.
Jeremiah is in the midst of a powerful oracle contrasting the blessedness of trusting in the Lord with the curse on those who abandon Him. He’s just described the secure, thriving life of the faithful and is now launching into a vivid illustration of the ultimate futility of ill-gotten gain. This verse acts as a harsh warning, showing how wealth acquired unjustly is as unstable and ultimately fruitless as a bird brooding over eggs it didn't lay.
"Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool." — The common interpretation focuses on the partridge stealing eggs, but a more striking insight lies in the idea that even if she does hatch them, the young instinctively know she's not their true mo…
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Last reviewed October 2026
