Bible Strands
Jeremiah 6:13
“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD declares to Judah's inhabitants that systemic corruption will trigger the loss of their property and families. This pronouncement follows warnings of impending judgment and precedes a rebuke of false spiritual reassurance.
The words — בּוֹצֵעַ בָּ֑צַע (bo.Tze.a' Ba.tza') denotes the act of gaining through unjust profit. The text states that every social stratum, from the lowest to the highest, actively pursues this illicit advantage.
The thread — This pattern of universal greed recurs in Jeremiah 8:10 and Micah 3:11, where leaders, priests, and prophets are similarly condemned for monetizing their offices. Jeremiah 23:11 directly parallels the verse's claim that both prophets and priests practice wickedness within the sanctuary.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that institutional collapse begins when spiritual authorities treat their calling as a commercial enterprise. A reader must confront the reality that claims of peace are void when those who speak them profit from deception.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 23:11 “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
- Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
- Jeremiah 22:17 “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
- Micah 3:2 You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones.
- Isaiah 57:17 I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.
- Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- Jeremiah 14:18 If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”
- Ezekiel 22:25 The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
- Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: