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Jeremiah 6:13

Jeremiah 6:13 in Multiple Translations

“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

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.

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.

For from the least of them even to the greatest, everyone is given up to getting money; from the prophet even to the priest, everyone is working deceit.

Everyone cheats because they're greedy, poor and rich alike. Even prophets and priests—they are all dishonest liars!

For from the least of them, euen vnto the greatest of them, euery one is giuen vnto couetousnesse, and from the Prophet euen vnto the Priest, they all deale falsely.

For from their least unto their greatest, Every one is gaining dishonest gain, And from prophet even unto priest, Every one is dealing falsely,

“For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

For from the least of them even to the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one dealeth falsely.

For from the least of them even to the greatest, all are given to covetousness: and from the prophet even to the priest, all are guilty of deceit.

Everyone is trying to get money by tricking others, from the most important people to the least important people; even the prophets and the priests are trying to deceive people to get money.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 6:13

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 6:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB כִּ֤י מִ/קְּטַנָּ/ם֙ וְ/עַד גְּדוֹלָ֔/ם כֻּלּ֖/וֹ בּוֹצֵ֣עַ בָּ֑צַע וּ/מִ/נָּבִיא֙ וְ/עַד כֹּהֵ֔ן כֻּלּ֖/וֹ עֹ֥שֶׂה שָּֽׁקֶר
כִּ֤י kîy H3588 for Conj
מִ/קְּטַנָּ/ם֙ qâṭân H6996 small Prep | Adj | Suff
וְ/עַד ʻad H5704 till Conj | Prep
גְּדוֹלָ֔/ם gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Adj | Suff
כֻּלּ֖/וֹ kôl H3605 all N-ms | Suff
בּוֹצֵ֣עַ bâtsaʻ H1214 to cut off V-Qal
בָּ֑צַע betsaʻ H1215 unjust-gain N-ms
וּ/מִ/נָּבִיא֙ nâbîyʼ H5030 prophet Conj | Prep | N-ms
וְ/עַד ʻad H5704 till Conj | Prep
כֹּהֵ֔ן kôhên H3548 priest N-ms
כֻּלּ֖/וֹ kôl H3605 all N-ms | Suff
עֹ֥שֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal
שָּֽׁקֶר sheqer H8267 deception N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 6:13

כִּ֤י kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
מִ/קְּטַנָּ/ם֙ qâṭân H6996 "small" Prep | Adj | Suff
This Hebrew word means something or someone small in size, amount, or importance. It can describe something as little or least, and is often used to convey a sense of youth or insignificance. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: young, small, unimportant Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est). See also: Genesis 1:16; 1 Kings 22:31; Psalms 104:25.
וְ/עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
גְּדוֹלָ֔/ם gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Adj | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
כֻּלּ֖/וֹ kôl H3605 "all" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בּוֹצֵ֣עַ bâtsaʻ H1214 "to cut off" V-Qal
This Hebrew verb means to cut off or stop, and can also describe being greedy or covetous, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : to cut off 1) to cut off, break off, gain by unrighteous violence, get, finish, be covetous, be greedy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a2) to stop 1a3) to gain wrongfully or by violence 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cut off, sever 1b2) to finish, complete, accomplish 1b3) to violently make gain of
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: (be) covet(-ous), cut (off), finish, fulfill, gain (greedily), get, be given to (covetousness), greedy, perform, be wounded. See also: Job 6:9; Jeremiah 8:10; Psalms 10:3.
בָּ֑צַע betsaʻ H1215 "unjust-gain" N-ms
This word describes unjust gain or profit, often acquired through violence or dishonest means, as referred to in the Bible.
Definition: profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit. See also: Genesis 37:26; Isaiah 56:11; Psalms 30:10.
וּ/מִ/נָּבִיא֙ nâbîyʼ H5030 "prophet" Conj | Prep | N-ms
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
וְ/עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
כֹּהֵ֔ן kôhên H3548 "priest" N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
כֻּלּ֖/וֹ kôl H3605 "all" N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֹ֥שֶׂה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
שָּֽׁקֶר sheqer H8267 "deception" N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 6:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 23:11 “For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.
2 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.
3 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.”
4 Micah 3:2–3 You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”
5 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.”
6 Ezekiel 22:25–28 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. Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.
7 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.
8 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:
9 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.’”
10 Zephaniah 3:3–4 Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.

Jeremiah 6:13 Summary

Jeremiah 6:13 tells us that everyone, from the most important to the least important, is guilty of wanting more and more for themselves, and that even the spiritual leaders were not being honest and truthful, as seen in Micah 3:11. This is a reminder that sin affects everyone, and that we all need to turn to God for forgiveness and guidance, as seen in Romans 3:23 and Jeremiah 31:33-34. We can learn from this verse to be careful of our own desires and motivations, and to seek to please God above all else, as encouraged in Colossians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that all are greedy for gain in Jeremiah 6:13?

In Jeremiah 6:13, being greedy for gain means that everyone, from the least to the greatest, is consumed by a desire for personal profit and advantage, as seen in other scriptures like Micah 3:11 and 1 Timothy 6:10, where love of money and power corrupts people's actions and decisions.

Why does the verse mention prophets and priests specifically?

The prophets and priests in Jeremiah 6:13 are mentioned because they were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the people, guiding them in the ways of the Lord, but instead, they were practicing deceit, similar to what is described in Isaiah 28:7 and Ezekiel 22:25-28, where the leaders were corrupt and misled the people.

How does this verse relate to the concept of sin and its consequences?

Jeremiah 6:13 highlights the widespread nature of sin, where everyone is guilty, and no one is innocent, as seen in Romans 3:23, and the consequences of this sin will be judgment and punishment, as warned in Jeremiah 6:14-15 and other scriptures like Isaiah 24:1-6 and Revelation 20:11-15.

What is the significance of the phrase 'from the least of them to the greatest'?

The phrase 'from the least of them to the greatest' in Jeremiah 6:13 emphasizes that sin is not limited to any particular group or social class, but rather it affects everyone, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:9-18, where it is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be greedy for gain in my own life, and how can I surrender these desires to God?
  2. How can I ensure that my actions and decisions are guided by a desire to please God, rather than a desire for personal gain or recognition?
  3. What does it mean to practice deceit, and how can I be honest and transparent in my interactions with others, as God calls us to be in scriptures like Proverbs 10:9 and Colossians 3:9-10?
  4. How can I be a voice of truth and integrity in a world where deceit and corruption are prevalent, as seen in Jeremiah 6:13 and other scriptures like Daniel 3:16-18 and Acts 4:29-31?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 6:13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them,.... From the least in age to the oldest among them; or rather, from persons of the lowest class of life, and in the meanest circumstances,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 6:13

From the least of them; not respecting so much their age as degree and quality, poor and rich; the prophet notes the generality of their corruption as the reason of God’ s severity against them, as ; observing also that it was even among the greatest, who ought to have given better examples, no soundness from head to foot. Covetousness; in which possibly all their wickednesses, as cruelty, oppression, injustice, &c., may be comprised, it being the root of all evil, , and may also speak the justice of God, in the Chaldeans taking them and all their substance away, that had by violence and fraud wrested it from others, . Dealeth falsely, Heb. doing falsehood; as if that were their whole work, the proper and peculiar sin of the priests and prophets, to deceive the people, and to flatter them by false visions, as in the next verse; not that they were not also guilty of the other sins, , and the princes and people of this, , for they were all involved in the same wickedness; but the prophet mentions those sins that were most peculiar to each party. See the same .

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 6:13

Jeremiah 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.Ver. 13. Every one is given to covetousness.] Avet avaritia, eager for greed, is coveting covetise or excessively; crieth still, Give, give, with the horse leech; of which creature Pliny observeth, and experience showeth, that it hath no through passage, but taketh much in, and letting nothing out, breaks and kills itself with sucking. So doth the covetous man. Every one dealeth falsely.] Heb., Each one is doing falsehood, as if that were their common trade. Lib. xi. cap. 34.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 6:13

(13) Is given to covetousness.—Literally, gained gain. The Hebrew word (as in Genesis 37:26; Job 22:2) does not necessarily involve the idea of dishonest gain, though this (as in Proverbs 1:19; Habakkuk 2:9) is often implied. What the prophet condemns is the universal desire of gain (rem . . . rem . . . quocunque modo rem), sure to lead, as in the second clause, to a gratification of it by fair means or foul. From the prophet even unto the priest . . .—The two orders that ought to have checked the evil are noted as having been foremost in promoting it. (Comp. Note on Jeremiah 5:31.) Dealeth falsely.—Literally, worketh a lie, in the sense of “dishonesty.”

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 6:13

13. from the least of them even unto the greatest] Cp. Jeremiah 5:5.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 6:13

Given to covetousness - literally, everyone has gained gains. The temper of mind which gains the world is not that which gains heaven. Falsely - Rather, “fraudulently.”

Sermons on Jeremiah 6:13

SermonDescription
Paul Washer 寻访古道 - Finding the Old Path by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being captivated by the glory of Christ. He shares that his own devotion to Christ is not based on discipline or religious
David Wilkerson We've Forgotten How to Blush by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher discusses the state of God's people in Israel during a time of rebellion and turning away from the truth. He references Jeremiah 5:1-3, where God chall
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Micah by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God's requirement for us is to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. The prophet in the Bible asks what he can do t
Denny Kenaston The Generation Gap - Part 1 by Denny Kenaston In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of passing on a godly vision to future generations. He laments the loss of vision in families, leading to divorce and remarria
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Jeremiah 6-10 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obeying the inner conscience that God has placed in each person. He questions the wisdom of those who claim to be wise but
Richard Owen Roberts Preaching That Hinders Revival by Richard Owen Roberts Richard Owen Roberts preaches about the hindrances to revival caused by errors in preaching, such as man-centered preaching, timid preaching, preaching that evokes strange fire, se
David Wilkerson Listen to the Warning by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson warns about the spiritual complacency and moral decay within God's people, as illustrated by the prophet Jeremiah. He emphasizes that many have become indifferent t

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