Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵן֩
H3651
לָכֵן֩
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶתֵּ֨ן
Therefore will I give
H5414
אֶתֵּ֨ן
Therefore will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַאֲחֵרִ֗ים
unto others
H312
לַאֲחֵרִ֗ים
unto others
Strong's:
H312
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
לְי֣וֹרְשִׁ֔ים
to them that shall inherit
H3423
לְי֣וֹרְשִׁ֔ים
to them that shall inherit
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
7 of 20
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִקָּטֹן֙
them for every one from the least
H6996
מִקָּטֹן֙
them for every one from the least
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
9 of 20
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
גָּד֔וֹל
even unto the greatest
H1419
גָּד֔וֹל
even unto the greatest
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
11 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
H3605
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֹּצֵ֣עַ
is given
H1214
בֹּצֵ֣עַ
is given
Strong's:
H1214
Word #:
13 of 20
to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop
בָּ֑צַע
to covetousness
H1215
בָּ֑צַע
to covetousness
Strong's:
H1215
Word #:
14 of 20
plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
כֹּהֵ֔ן
even unto the priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֔ן
even unto the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
17 of 20
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
H3605
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.Titus 1:11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.Zephaniah 1:13Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
Historical Context
Economic exploitation accompanied religious apostasy in Jeremiah's Judah. Large landowners accumulated property (Isaiah 5:8), courts favored the wealthy (Jeremiah 22:13-17), and religious leaders enriched themselves while neglecting justice. The Babylonian conquest transferred their accumulated wealth to foreigners, fulfilling this prophecy literally. Archaeological evidence of destroyed estates throughout Judah confirms the completeness of this judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does systemic covetousness corrupt even religious institutions meant to preserve moral integrity?
- What connection exists between economic injustice and spiritual unfaithfulness in communities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces judgment on corrupt leaders: 'Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them.' Losing wives and lands to conquerors represented complete social devastation and covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:30-33). 'For every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness' uses batsa (בָּצַע, unjust gain, covetousness) indicating systemic greed across all social levels. 'From the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely' employs shaqer (שֶׁקֶר, falsehood, deception). When prophets and priests—those responsible for truth—practice deception, society's moral foundation collapses. The phrase 'least unto greatest' and 'prophet unto priest' creates merism, indicating universal corruption without exception.