“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is that "greedy for unjust gain" isn't just about loving money; the Hebrew word suggests actively "tearing" or "seizing" it, pointing to aggressive, exploitative behavior. Furthermore, it wasn't just the common folk but also the prophets and priests, those who should have been leading with integrity, who were caught in this web of deceit and false gain.
“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is prophesying judgment against Judah because of their widespread corruption and idolatry, which has led God to send the Babylonians against them. He has just described the approaching enemy as a devastating force, and now he explains why this judgment is so severe: not a single person, from the lowest to the highest, and even the religious leaders, is free from greed and deceit. This complete moral decay means no one is left to stand in the gap, ensuring total destruction is imminent.
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of Judah's spiritual state. It wasn't just a few bad apples; the rot had spread everywhere. What does it mean when 'everyone' is affected?
Jeremiah uses powerful language to show the total depravity gripping Judah. He declares, 'from the least to the greatest' and 'from prophet to priest,' indicating that no one was exempt from sin.
All Ranks, All Roles
This comprehensive indictment means that there was no segment of society left untouched by the nation's spiritual sickness.
What were the specific sins that had taken root so deeply? Jeremiah pinpoints two pervasive issues that defined Judah's downfall.
The verse identifies two core sins that characterized this society: greedy for unjust gain and dealing falsely.
Unjust Gain
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Dealing Falsely
These weren't isolated incidents but the defining characteristics of the entire nation.
Understand the original words
nabiy' · Hebrew Noun
A covenant representative of God, chosen to receive and communicate His divine revelation. Prophets served as the spiritual conscience of Israel, calling the people to repentance and warning of coming judgment.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
One appointed to perform ritual sacrifices, offer prayers, and interpret the law for the people. Priests had a specific responsibility to maintain the holiness of the sanctuary and lead the people in proper worship.
Jeremiah's words about pervasive greed and deceit condemn a society on the brink of collapse, where religious leaders and the populace alike were corrupt. This spiritual rot set the stage for the devastating judgment of Jerusalem's fall and exile.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire controlled the region, including the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This era saw increased pressure, tribute, and potential for Assyrian intervention in Judean affairs.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem survived, the kingdom was severely weakened and became a vassal state.
626 BC
Neo-Babylonian Empire Rises
Nabopolassar, a Babylonian governor, revolted against Assyria and established the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This shift in power created a new geopolitical landscape.
609 BC
Fall of Nineveh
A coalition of Babylonians and Medes conquered the Assyrian capital, Nineveh. This marked the end of Assyrian dominance and solidified Babylonian power.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated Egyptian forces at Carchemish and then marched on Jerusalem. He deported some of the Judean elite, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt by King Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar again besieged Jerusalem. He deported King Jehoiachin, members of the royal family, and thousands more Judeans to Babylon.
587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
After a prolonged siege and further Judean rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar's forces finally captured Jerusalem, destroyed the city and the Temple, and deported the majority of the remaining population to Babylon.
This verse directly parallels Jeremiah 6:13, stating that even prophets and priests 'deal falsely' and 'love to deceive,' highlighting the pervasive corruption in leadership.
Ezekiel 22:27-28This passage describes rulers as 'wolves ravening the prey,' and prophets who 'daubed with untempered mortar,' showing a similar corruption and dishonesty extending from leaders to the prophets.
Micah 3:11Micah echoes Jeremiah's lament, stating that leaders, priests, and prophets 'teach for hire' and 'lean upon the Lord,' demonstrating how those in spiritual authority were compromised by greed and false teaching.
Matthew 21:12-13Jesus cleansing the temple shows a similar outrage against greed and false practice within the religious institutions, driving out those who had turned worship into a marketplace.
calvinJeremiah 6:13: "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely."
- Quia a parvo eorum usque ad magnum eorum omnis (vel, quilibet) con cupiscit cupiditatem (hoc est, cupidus est lucri, vel, addictus avaritiae;) et a propheta usque ad sacerdotem quilibet operatur mendacium (hoc est, fraudulenter agit.)
The Prophet now again declares, that it was nothing strange that God resolved t…
pulpitJeremiah 6:13: "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely."
Verse 13. - Given to covetousness; literally, gaineth gain; but the word here rendered "gain" implies that it is unrighteous gain (the root means "to tear"), Unjust gain and murder are repeatedly singled out in the Old Testament as representative sins (comp. Ezekiel 33:31; Psalm 119:36; Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 2:34; and…
What's easily missed is that "greedy for unjust gain" isn't just about loving money; the Hebrew word suggests actively "tearing" or "seizing" it, pointing to aggressive, exploitative behavior. Furthermore, it wasn't just the common folk but also the prophets and priests, those who should have been leading with integrity, who were caught in this web of deceit and false gain.
Jeremiah is prophesying judgment against Judah because of their widespread corruption and idolatry, which has led God to send the Babylonians against them. He has just described the approaching enemy as a devastating force, and now he explains why this judgment is so severe: not a single person, from the lowest to the highest, and even the religious leaders, is free from greed and deceit. This complete moral decay means no one is left to stand in the gap, ensuring total destruction is imminent.
Jeremiah is prophesying judgment against Judah because of their widespread corruption and idolatry, which has led God to send the Babylonians against them. He has just described the approaching enemy as a devastating force, and now he explains why this judgment is so severe: not a single person, from the lowest to the highest, and even the religious leaders, is free from greed and deceit. This complete moral decay means no one is left to stand in the gap, ensuring total destruction is imminent.
"“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely." — What's easily missed is that "greedy for unjust gain" isn't just about loving money; the Hebrew word suggests actively "tearing" or "seizing" it, pointing to aggressive, exploitative behavior. Furthe…
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Last reviewed October 2026