Jeremiah 17:11

As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Jeremiah 17:11 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah spoke this warning to the people of Judah during a time of national crisis. In the surrounding chapter, the prophet contrasts those who trust in the Lord with those who rely on human strength and wealth. He sets before them the blessings of obedience and the curses of turning away from God. Verse 11 fits into this larger message by showing the end of those who gain riches dishonestly.

Meaning

The verse uses the metaphor of a partridge sitting on eggs it did not lay. The partridge’s efforts are futile because the eggs will not hatch. In the same way, a person who acquires wealth “not by right” will not keep it. The riches will be left “in the midst of his days,” meaning they will be lost prematurely, and at the end of his life he will be seen as a fool. The point is not that wealth itself is evil, but that wealth gained through deceit, oppression, or dishonesty is temporary and ultimately worthless.

Biblical connections

This teaching echoes the broader biblical principle that God’s justice prevails over human schemes. The warning against unjust gain appears throughout Scripture, such as in Proverbs, where wealth gained hastily or dishonestly tends to dwindle. The contrast between trusting in the Lord and trusting in riches is central to Jeremiah’s message. The verse affirms that true security is found in God, not in material possessions.

Application

This verse calls us to examine how we acquire and handle money. It warns against covetousness and the temptation to cut corners for profit. It encourages integrity in business, honesty in dealings, and contentment with what God provides. It also reminds us that ill-gotten gain cannot bring lasting security. Instead of relying on dishonest wealth, we are to trust in the Lord and seek righteousness.

Reflection

The image of the partridge’s unhatched eggs is a sobering picture of wasted effort. It invites us to consider what we are building our lives on. Are we pursuing wealth at the expense of integrity? Do we trust in riches more than in God? The verse ends with a stark warning: those who gain wealth unjustly will be exposed as fools. But those who trust in the Lord and walk in His ways have a secure foundation that will not fail.