Jeremiah 6:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 6:13 mean?

Jeremiah 6:13 says that everyone in the society, from the most unimportant person to the most important, is greedy and dishonest—even those who are supposed to be spiritual leaders. The verse points out that both prophets and priests are acting falsely, showing that corruption has spread everywhere.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the deep moral decay in their nation. He highlights that the problem is not limited to ordinary people but includes those who should be guiding the nation spiritually. This verse is part of a larger warning about coming judgment because the people and their leaders have turned away from what is right.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 6:13

• "least" (קָטֹן, qaton): This word refers to those who are considered insignificant or of low status. Jeremiah includes everyone, not just the powerful, in his criticism.
• "greatest" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word means those with high status or influence. The pairing with "least" shows that the problem is universal.
• "given" (בָּצַע, batsá): This verb often means to be greedy for gain or to pursue dishonest profit. It suggests an active desire for more, even at the expense of others.
• "covetousness" (בֶּצַע, betsa): This noun refers to unjust gain or selfish greed. The verse emphasizes that this is not just a passing temptation but a defining trait of the people.
• "prophet" (נָבִיא, navi): Prophets were supposed to speak God’s truth, but Jeremiah accuses them of failing in their role.
• "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): Priests were responsible for spiritual leadership and teaching, yet they too are acting dishonestly.
• "dealeth" (עָשָׂה, asah) and "falsely" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): Together, these words mean to act in a false or deceitful way, stressing that the dishonesty is active and deliberate.

Why Jeremiah 6:13 matters

• Jeremiah 6:13 clears up any idea that only certain groups were to blame for Judah’s problems; it shows that corruption was widespread, affecting every level of society.
• The verse highlights that even those who were supposed to be moral examples—the prophets and priests—were deeply compromised, which would have shocked Jeremiah’s audience.
• This verse sets up the seriousness of the warnings in the surrounding passage, explaining why judgment was coming and why it would be so severe.