Jeremiah 6:13-14
“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew for "greedy for unjust gain" literally means "gaining gain," highlighting that their entire focus was on acquisition, regardless of how it was obtained. This isn't just about wanting more; it points to a deep-seated mindset where the accumulation of wealth, by any means necessary, had become their ultimate purpose, consuming even those in spiritual leadership.
Jeremiah has just delivered a stark warning about an impending invasion and judgment from the north. This verse explains why such severe judgment is coming upon Judah, revealing a deep-seated corruption that has infected all levels of society, from the common person to the religious leaders. The prophet emphasizes that from the lowest to the highest ranks, and even among those who should know better like prophets and priests, the entire nation is consumed by greed and deceit, leaving no room for God's favor.
Jeremiah paints a grim picture of Judah's society. It wasn't just a few bad apples; a deep sickness infected everyone. What does it mean when 'everyone' is consumed by something destructive?
The verse declares that 'from the least to the greatest' of the people, 'everyone is greedy for unjust gain.' This isn't a minor flaw; it's a systemic issue that has infiltrated every level of society.
Universal Sin
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The spiritual leaders of Judah were supposed to be guides, pointing people to God. But Jeremiah reveals they were part of the problem, not the solution. What happens when the shepherds lead the flock astray?
The corruption isn't confined to the general populace; it reaches the very top of the religious and prophetic leadership. 'From prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.'
Corrupt Shepherds
This complete breakdown of moral and spiritual leadership left the people without true guidance, making them ripe for judgment.
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.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A comprehensive Hebrew concept signifying wholeness, well-being, harmony, and prosperity in relationship with God. When used falsely, it implies a superficial sense of security while ignoring fundamental spiritual discord or pending judgment.
This verse reveals the deep-seated corruption that permeated Judah, extending even to its spiritual leaders, making the impending destruction and exile a just, though devastating, consequence of their actions.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event served as a stark warning to the southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Death
King Josiah implements religious reforms based on a newly discovered scroll (likely parts of Deuteronomy), attempting to centralize worship and purify Judah. However, he dies in battle against the Egyptians.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon triumphs over Assyria and Egypt. As a result, Jehoiakim, king of Judah, becomes a vassal of Babylon, and some of the royal family and elite are deported to Babylon, including Daniel.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following King Jehoiakim's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's son and successor, along with thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar crushes a final Judean rebellion, destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, and deports the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This marks the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
After 586 BC
Exile in Babylon
The Judean people live in exile in Babylon for generations. During this period, prophets like Jeremiah (writing from before, during, and after these events) and Ezekiel continue to speak God's word to a chastened but often unrepentant people.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's indictment by stating that leaders, including priests and prophets, teach for hire and practice deceit, highlighting a systemic corruption across religious and civic authorities.
Ezekiel 22:23-29This passage describes a similar pervasive corruption within Israel, noting that princes, prophets, and common people are all involved in violence, deceit, and oppression, mirroring the widespread unfaithfulness Jeremiah addresses.
Luke 11:42-44Jesus denounces the Pharisees for their love of money and hypocrisy, calling them 'graves that are not seen' and noting how outward piety masks inner corruption, which aligns with Jeremiah's critique of false dealing by religious leaders.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly states that the 'love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,' providing a theological explanation for the widespread covetousness and unjust gain that Jeremiah condemns in the people and their leaders.
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…
The Hebrew for "greedy for unjust gain" literally means "gaining gain," highlighting that their entire focus was on acquisition, regardless of how it was obtained. This isn't just about wanting more; it points to a deep-seated mindset where the accumulation of wealth, by any means necessary, had become their ultimate purpose, consuming even those in spiritual leadership.
Jeremiah has just delivered a stark warning about an impending invasion and judgment from the north. This verse explains why such severe judgment is coming upon Judah, revealing a deep-seated corruption that has infected all levels of society, from the common person to the religious leaders. The prophet emphasizes that from the lowest to the highest ranks, and even among those who should know better like prophets and priests, the entire nation is consumed by greed and deceit, leaving no room for God's favor.
Jeremiah has just delivered a stark warning about an impending invasion and judgment from the north. This verse explains why such severe judgment is coming upon Judah, revealing a deep-seated corruption that has infected all levels of society, from the common person to the religious leaders. The prophet emphasizes that from the lowest to the highest ranks, and even among those who should know better like prophets and priests, the entire nation is consumed by greed and deceit, leaving no room for God's favor.
"“For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’…" — The Hebrew for "greedy for unjust gain" literally means "gaining gain," highlighting that their entire focus was on acquisition, regardless of how it was obtained. This isn't just about wanting more;…
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