Jeremiah 17:11
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Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In this chapter, I. God convicts the Jews of the sin of idolatry by the notorious evidence of the fact, and condemns them to captivity for it (Jer 17:1-4). II. He shows them the folly of all their carnal confidences, which should stand them in no stead when God's time came to contend with them, and that this was one of the sins upon which his controversy with them was grounded (Jer 17:5-11). III. The prophet makes his appeal and address to God upon occasion of the malice of his enemies against him, committing himself to the divine protection, and begging of God to appear for him (Jer 17:12-18). IV. God, by the prophet, warns the people to keep holy the sabbath day, assuring them that, if they did, it should be the lengthening out of their tranquility, but that, if not, God would by some desolating judgment assert the honour of his sabbaths (Jer 17:19-27).
Open source ↗17:11-18 Jeremiah affirmed that he had learned this lesson and did indeed trust in the Lord. 17:11-13 Jeremiah commended the Lord’s faithfulness to his people, in contrast to the fate awaiting those who turned away from the Lord. 17:11 Jeremiah cited a general principle (cp. Ps 73) that was not necessarily universal (Job 21:27-33): Those who have gained wealth by unjust means eventually lose those riches.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages,
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill the house of their master with violence and deceit.
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.