Jeremiah 6:13-15
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This verse highlights that it wasn't just the common folk, but even the spiritual leaders—the prophets and priests—were deeply caught up in "unjust gain" and "dealing falsely." It shows that societal decay can be most insidious when those meant to be guardians of truth and righteousness become entangled in the very corruption they should be exposing.
“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. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is describing the pervasive sinfulness of Judah, a corruption that has infected every level of society, from the lowest to the highest. This isn't just a problem with a few individuals; it's a systemic issue where everyone, including religious leaders like prophets and priests, is driven by selfish greed and dishonesty. This widespread unfaithfulness is the very reason God is bringing swift judgment upon them, a consequence they are too far gone to even feel ashamed of.
When you look around, does it feel like bad behavior is just everywhere? Jeremiah points to a deep-seated issue that infected every level of society.
Jeremiah paints a stark picture of Judah's total moral decay. He emphasizes that this wasn't just a problem with a few troublemakers; it had infected everyone.
A Universal Sickness
Jeremiah says, "from the least to the greatest... everyone is greedy for unjust gain." This isn't just about being a little wanting; the Hebrew word suggests a relentless pursuit and acquisition of wealth, often through dishonest means. It implies that the desire for more, regardless of how it was gotten, had become the driving force.
No Exceptions
The prophet then expands this to include the spiritual leaders: "from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely." These were the very people God had appointed to guide the nation in truth and righteousness. Their failure to do so meant that the whole system was rotten, with no one left to offer genuine correction or hope.
What sin is so foundational that it unravels an entire nation? Jeremiah highlights a driving force behind Judah's coming judgment.
The sin of 'unjust gain' or 'covetousness' wasn't just another bad habit; it was a fundamental distortion of God's design for his people.
The Love of Gain
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The Hebrew word translated as 'unjust gain' or 'covetousness' can literally mean 'to tear' or 'to seize.' It points to a violent, aggressive desire to acquire wealth, often at the expense of others. This greed fueled oppression, injustice, and a disregard for God's commands about caring for the poor and vulnerable.
Undermining God's Covenant
Land and prosperity were central to God's covenant promises to Israel. Their obsessive pursuit of personal wealth, especially through deceit and exploitation, was a direct rejection of the covenant faithfulness God required. It showed they valued earthly riches more than God's blessings and their relationship with Him.
What happens when the very people meant to guide you are part of the problem? Jeremiah points to the catastrophic failure of spiritual leadership.
Jeremiah's accusation that 'from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely' is a devastating indictment of the spiritual leaders of Judah.
Hypocrisy in the Temple
Prophets were meant to speak God's truth, and priests were meant to uphold God's law and facilitate worship. Instead, they were actively involved in deceit. This wasn't just passive failure; they were 'working falsehood,' actively practicing dishonesty and deception.
Undermining True Worship
These leaders should have been beacons of righteousness, exposing sin and calling people to repentance. Instead, they likely offered false assurances of peace and security, masking the nation's deep corruption. Their 'dealing falsely' involved both their actions and their deceptive messages, leading the people further away from God and into judgment.
The Consequence of Corrupt Ministry
When the spiritual guides are compromised, the entire community is endangered. Their false messages and actions created a society that was spiritually blind and deaf, making them ripe for the judgment God was about to bring.
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.
tow'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Acts or practices that are morally disgusting and abhorrent to God, particularly those associated with idolatry and covenant infidelity. It signifies a profound violation of God’s nature and His holy law.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
A divine act of executing justice upon the wicked. In the biblical context, it serves both as a demonstration of God’s holiness and as a call for nations or individuals to turn back to Him.
Jeremiah's stark accusation of greed and falsehood across all levels of society—from the common person to the prophet and priest—reflects the pervasive corruption that had taken root in Judah, ultimately contributing to its downfall and exile.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Campaigns in Judah
The Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, exerted significant pressure on the Kingdom of Judah, leading to political instability and the need for alliances. This period saw the rise of prophets like Isaiah, who warned against corruption and reliance on foreign powers.
701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Under King Sennacherib, the Assyrians besieged Jerusalem. While the city itself was not captured, many other Judean cities fell, and Judah was forced to pay a heavy tribute, highlighting the kingdom's vulnerability and the internal failings that contributed to it.
c. 626-586 BC— this verse
Reign of Josiah and Jeremiah's Ministry Begins
King Josiah initiated religious reforms aimed at restoring pure worship in Judah. Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry during this time, but his message soon turned to judgment as the nation's deep-seated corruption, including greed and deceit among leaders, persisted despite reforms.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon defeated Assyria and Egypt. As a result, King Jehoiakim of Judah became a Babylonian vassal, and a first wave of Judean exiles, including Daniel, was taken to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following Jehoiakim's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again. King Jehoiachin and a larger group of Judean leaders and skilled workers, including the prophet Ezekiel, were deported to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
After a prolonged siege and further rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Jerusalem, burned the Temple, and deported most of the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's indictment by stating that the leaders of Israel, including judges and priests, 'build up Zion with bloodshed and establish Jerusalem with iniquity.' It highlights the pervasive corruption and injustice within society's foundational structures, mirroring the false dealings and greed described in Jeremiah.
Isaiah 56:10-11Isaiah critiques the spiritual leaders who are 'worthless shepherds' and 'greedy dogs' that 'never have enough.' This parallel emphasizes the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of those in positions of spiritual authority, a theme directly addressed in Jeremiah's accusation against prophets and priests.
Jeremiah 8:10Just a few chapters later, Jeremiah reiterates the theme of false prophets and priests who 'heal the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace.' This reinforces the idea of deliberate deception and the systemic nature of the corruption described in Jeremiah 6:13.
Ezekiel 22:27-29Ezekiel paints a grim picture of Jerusalem's leaders acting like wolves, tearing at victims, and profiting unjustly, while the prophets 'plastered it with whitewash' by delivering false visions. This passage strongly parallels the greed and deceptive dealings of all levels of society mentioned in Jeremiah 6:13.
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…
This verse highlights that it wasn't just the common folk, but even the spiritual leaders—the prophets and priests—were deeply caught up in "unjust gain" and "dealing falsely." It shows that societal decay can be most insidious when those meant to be guardians of truth and righteousness become entangled in the very corruption they should be exposing.
Jeremiah is describing the pervasive sinfulness of Judah, a corruption that has infected every level of society, from the lowest to the highest. This isn't just a problem with a few individuals; it's a systemic issue where everyone, including religious leaders like prophets and priests, is driven by selfish greed and dishonesty. This widespread unfaithfulness is the very reason God is bringing swift judgment upon them, a consequence they are too far gone to even feel ashamed of.
Jeremiah is describing the pervasive sinfulness of Judah, a corruption that has infected every level of society, from the lowest to the highest. This isn't just a problem with a few individuals; it's a systemic issue where everyone, including religious leaders like prophets and priests, is driven by selfish greed and dishonesty. This widespread unfaithfulness is the very reason God is bringing swift judgment upon them, a consequence they are too far gone to even feel ashamed of.
"“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,’…" — This verse highlights that it wasn't just the common folk, but even the spiritual leaders—the prophets and priests—were deeply caught up in "unjust gain" and "dealing falsely." It shows that societal…
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Last reviewed October 2026
