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Ezekiel 13 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter is a scathing condemnation of false prophets in Israel, both men and women, who mislead the people with lies and false visions.

  • False Prophets Denounced (1-7): God, through Ezekiel, directly addresses the false prophets who claim to speak for Him but actually invent their own messages. They are like foxes among ruins, offering false hope and security.
  • Their Sins Exposed (8-16): God accuses them of:
    • Building flimsy walls (of false hope) and whitewashing them (with lies).
    • Ignoring God's true warnings of impending judgment.
    • Leading people astray with false visions and divinations.
    • Claiming peace when there is no peace.
  • Judgment Pronounced (17-23): God declares His judgment upon these false prophets:
    • He will tear down their flimsy walls and expose their lies.
    • He will bring disaster upon the people who believed them.
    • He will silence the false prophets and put an end to their divination.
  • False Prophetesses Condemned (17-23): God specifically addresses the women who act as false prophets, condemning their practices of using magic charms and veils to deceive people. He promises to judge them as well.

Key Themes:

  • The danger of false prophecy: God takes false prophecy very seriously because it deceives people and leads them away from Him.
  • The importance of discerning truth: The chapter emphasizes the need for discernment to distinguish between true and false prophets.
  • God's sovereignty and judgment: God is sovereign over all things, and He will judge those who deceive His people.

Overall, Ezekiel 13 serves as a stark warning against the dangers of false prophecy and a call to seek truth and guidance from God alone.

Ezekiel 13 bible study ai commentary

Ezekiel 13 exposes the catastrophic danger of false prophecy. The prophet delivers God's searing judgment against male and female prophets in exiled Israel who offer deceptive visions of peace, lulling the people into a false security while God’s judgment loomed. Their prophecies originate not from God but from their own self-serving hearts. Using powerful metaphors of flimsy, whitewashed walls and magic charms for hunting souls, the chapter contrasts their destructive lies with the harsh, but ultimately life-saving, truth of God's Word.

Ezekiel 13 Context

This prophecy was likely delivered to the exiles in Babylon before the final fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. While Ezekiel and Jeremiah were proclaiming God's judgment and the necessity of submission to Babylon, a counter-movement of prophets arose. These individuals promised a swift end to the exile and a miraculous deliverance for Jerusalem. They were popular because their message was what the people wanted to hear. Ezekiel's oracle is a direct polemic against this optimistic, but fatally wrong, theology. It sought to dismantle the people's false hope so they might face the reality of their sin and truly repent.


Ezekiel 13:1-3

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’ Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

In-depth-analysis

  • Source of Prophecy: The key accusation is that they "prophesy from their own hearts" (libbām). The heart (leb) in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, will, and emotion. Their message is a human invention, not a divine revelation.
  • "Foolish prophets": The Hebrew nəḇî’îm hannāḇāl denotes a deep moral and spiritual folly, not mere intellectual lack. This is an active opposition to God's wisdom.
  • "Follow their own spirit": Instead of being moved by the Spirit of God (Rûaḥ), they follow their own spirit (rûḥām). Their inspiration is internal and carnal.
  • "Seen nothing": True prophecy was often initiated by a vision (ḥāzôn). This phrase is a stark declaration of their counterfeit status. They have no access to the divine council or divine sights.

Bible references

  • Jeremiah 23:16: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you... They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD." (Direct parallel of prophesying from their own heart).
  • 1 Kings 22:22-23: "'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'... the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets..." (God permitting deceit to accomplish judgment).
  • 2 Peter 2:1: "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you..." (NT continuation of the Old Testament problem).

Cross references

Jer 14:14 (prophesying lies in God's name); Jer 28:1-4 (Hananiah's false prophecy of quick return); Lam 2:14 (prophets saw false and misleading visions); 1 Joh 4:1 (test the spirits).


Ezekiel 13:4-5

Your prophets have been like foxes among ruins, O Israel. You have not gone up into the breaches or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the Lord.

In-depth-analysis

  • Foxes (or Jackals) among Ruins: Foxes are portrayed as cunning scavengers that do not build but rather take advantage of decay and destruction. Instead of helping, these prophets exploit Israel's ruined state for their own gain.
  • Not a Builder: True prophets, like watchmen, were meant to "go up into the breaches" and "build up a wall." This means calling people to repentance and righteousness, which is the true spiritual defense of a nation.
  • The Day of the LORD: The prophets' failure is catastrophic because it leaves the people defenseless for the coming day of divine judgment, which for this context, is the impending destruction of Jerusalem.

Bible references

  • Nehemiah 4:1-3: "But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall... Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, '...if a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall!'" (The fox as a symbol of weakness and destruction).
  • Isaiah 58:12: "And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach..." (The role of a true restorative agent of God).
  • Amos 5:18: "Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light." (Correcting the false hope about God's intervention).

Cross references

Psa 106:23 (Moses stood in the breach); Isa 22:5 (a day of panic and confusion); Song 2:15 (the little foxes that spoil the vineyards).


Ezekiel 13:6-7

They have seen a worthless vision and a lying divination. They say, ‘Declares the Lord,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word. Have you not seen a worthless vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, ‘Declares the Lord,’ although I have not spoken?”

In-depth-analysis

  • False Authority: They claim divine authority with the prophetic formula "Declares the LORD" (nə’um YHWH) but lack the divine commission. This is blasphemous presumption.
  • "Worthless Vision... Lying Divination": The Hebrew šāw’ (worthless, vain, empty) and kāzāḇ (lie, deception) are paired to emphasize the utter emptiness and deceit of their message. Qesem (divination) was a practice often forbidden (Deut 18:10) and associated with pagan nations.
  • Presumptuous Hope: The line "they expect him to fulfill their word" reveals a staggering arrogance. They believed they could force God's hand or that God was obligated to honor their words simply because they spoke them in His name.

Bible references

  • Deuteronomy 18:20: "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak... that same prophet shall die." (The Mosaic law's penalty for false prophecy).
  • Jeremiah 29:8-9: "For thus says the LORD... 'Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you... for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name; I have not sent them...'" (Jeremiah's direct confrontation with the same group).
  • Matthew 7:22-23: "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name...? And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me...'" (Jesus' warning that even miracles in His name don't prove a true relationship).

Cross references

Jer 23:21, 31 (I did not send them, yet they ran); Prov 30:5-6 (do not add to His words); 2 Chr 18:5-11 (Micaiah vs. Zedekiah and the false prophets).


Ezekiel 13:8-9

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord God. My hand will be against the prophets who see worthless visions and utter lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.

In-depth-analysis

  • The Judgment: A three-part excommunication is pronounced:
    1. Excluded from the council (sôḏ): They will have no part in the community's deliberations or intimate fellowship.
    2. Erased from the register: Their names will be removed from the genealogical records of citizenship in Israel, making them legal non-persons.
    3. Barred from the land: They will die in exile and never see the promised land again, the ultimate sign of being cut off from God's covenant blessings.
  • "My hand will be against you": This signifies God's active, personal opposition and judgment.
  • Recognition Formula: "And you shall know that I am the Lord God" is a key phrase in Ezekiel. God's judgment is not arbitrary; it is a revelation of His sovereign power and holy character.

Bible references

  • Psalm 69:28: "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous." (The concept of being removed from the covenant community).
  • Ezra 2:62: "These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean." (A historical outworking of being excluded from the "register of Israel").
  • Revelation 20:15: "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (The ultimate, eschatological fulfillment of being blotted out of God's book).

Cross references

Ex 32:33 (blotting out from the book); Isa 4:3 (the remnant recorded for life); Neh 7:64 (parallel to Ezra 2:62); Psa 87:6.


Ezekiel 13:10-16

Because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a flimsy wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash... I will tear it down... in my wrath there shall be a stormy wind... And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash... The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it... who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw for it visions of peace, when there was no peace, declares the Lord God.

In-depth-analysis

  • The Metaphor: The "flimsy wall" (ḥayiṣ) represents the people's inadequate attempts at securing their safety through sin and false hopes. The "whitewash" (ṭāpēl) is the prophets' deceptive message of "Peace" (šālôm), a cheap plaster that covers up the structural flaws but provides no real strength.
  • God's Judgment as a Storm: God's wrath is depicted as a violent storm (rain, hailstones, wind). This natural force will expose the wall's weakness, wash away the fake coating, and destroy the entire structure. Truth prevails over deception.
  • Total Annihilation: The judgment is absolute. Both the wall (the people's false security) and the plasterers (the false prophets) will be obliterated.

Polemics

This is a direct polemic against the "Shalom theology" of the false prophets. The Hebrew word šālôm is rich, implying not just absence of war, but wholeness, prosperity, and well-being. By proclaiming "Shalom," they were telling the exiles their current state was temporary and God's full blessing was imminent. This directly contradicted Jeremiah's and Ezekiel's call for long-term settlement and repentance in exile (Jer 29). It was a theology that immunized the people against the conviction of sin.

Bible references

  • Jeremiah 6:14: "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." (The exact same false message condemned by Jeremiah).
  • Matthew 7:26-27: "And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell... and the house fell..." (The parable of the two builders, echoing the theme of a structure unable to withstand God's test).
  • Matthew 23:27: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness." (Jesus uses the same imagery of a deceptive, beautiful exterior hiding inner decay).

Cross references

Isa 28:17-18 (a hailstorm will sweep away the refuge of lies); 1 Thess 5:3 (when they say 'peace and security,' then sudden destruction); Jer 8:11, 23:17.


Ezekiel 13:17-19

And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own hearts. Prophesy against them and say, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in order to hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive? You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, putting to death souls who should not die and keeping alive souls who should not live, by your lying to my people, who listen to lies.

In-depth-analysis

  • Prophesying Prophetesses: Just as with the male prophets, their source is "their own hearts." They are not exempt from the standards of true prophecy.
  • Occult Paraphernalia: "Magic bands" (kesāṯôṯ) and "veils" (mispāḥôṯ) were likely tools used in folk magic and divination rituals, intended to ensnare or control people. The imagery is of hunting and trapping.
  • "To hunt for souls": They prey on vulnerable people (nepeš - souls, lives, persons). They exercise a spiritual power that is manipulative and destructive.
  • Petty Motives: Their motivation is base: "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread." They trade in eternal destinies for cheap payment, showing their contempt for God and people.
  • Reversing Moral Order: Their lies are so powerful they "put to death" the righteous (by discouraging them) and "keep alive" the wicked (by promising them security in their sin), a complete inversion of God's justice.

Bible references

  • 2 Peter 2:3: "And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (False teachers motivated by greed).
  • Micah 3:5: "Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry 'Peace' when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths." (Prophecy for personal profit).
  • Revelation 18:13: "...cargoes of horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls." (The ultimate commodification of human life in the evil world system of Babylon the Great).

Cross references

Deut 18:10-11 (forbids diviners and sorcerers); Acts 8:9-24 (Simon the Magician seeking to buy spiritual power); 1 Tim 6:10 (the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil); Acts 16:16-19 (a fortune-telling slave girl).


Ezekiel 13:20-23

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your magic bands... and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free... Your veils also I will tear off and deliver my people out of your hand... you shall no more see deluding visions or practice divination, and you shall know that I am the Lord. Because you have disheartened the righteous with lies... and have encouraged the wicked... therefore you shall no more see worthless visions... I will deliver my people out of your hand.

In-depth-analysis

  • Divine Intervention: God himself will act to liberate the people. He will "tear" away the implements of their occult practices.
  • Liberation of Souls: God promises to "let the souls whom you hunt go free." His act of judgment on the false prophetesses is an act of salvation for their victims.
  • Cessation of Power: The judgment specifically targets their ability to deceive: "you shall no more see worthless visions or practice divination." God will shut down their counterfeit spiritual operation.
  • Reiteration: The core sin is repeated for emphasis: they disheartened the righteous and encouraged the wicked, subverting God's covenant community with their lies.
  • Final Goal: The outcome is twofold: God's people are delivered, and everyone involved will "know that I am the LORD." God's identity is vindicated through this act of justice and liberation.

Bible references

  • Psalm 124:7: "We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!" (The imagery of God breaking a trap to set his people free).
  • Isaiah 49:25: "For I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children." (God as the divine warrior who fights on behalf of His ensnared people).
  • Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to proclaim liberty to the captives... to set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Jesus' mission statement, which includes liberation from spiritual bondage).

Cross references

Zec 13:2-4 (God will cut off the names of idols and the unclean spirit); Jer 23:22 (true prophets turn people from evil); Gal 5:1 (Christ has set us free).


Ezekiel Chapter 13 analysis

  • The Anatomy of Falsehood: Ezekiel 13 provides a timeless anatomy of false religious teaching. It originates from the human heart (v. 2), is devoid of true divine insight (v. 3), exploits people's vulnerabilities (v. 4), offers superficial solutions (v. 10), claims God's authority illegitimately (v. 6), is often motivated by greed (v. 19), and ultimately subverts God's moral order (v. 22).
  • Prophecy as a Political Act: In the Ancient Near East, prophecy was not just spiritual but intensely political. A prophet claiming to speak for the chief god (like Marduk in Babylon or Yahweh in Israel) was making a statement about national direction. The "peace" prophets were advocating for a policy of rebellion against Babylon, while Jeremiah and Ezekiel were counseling submission as God's will. The clash was over the very foundation of foreign policy.
  • Contrast between True and False Shepherds: This chapter serves as a prelude to Ezekiel 34, which contrasts the self-serving shepherds of Israel (its leaders) with God, the true Shepherd who will seek out and rescue his lost and scattered flock. The false prophets are a specific type of bad shepherd, feeding themselves and leading the flock astray.
  • Biblical Completion - Hunting Souls: The language of the prophetesses "hunting souls" and God delivering his people from their "hand" (Eze 13:21, 23) finds its ultimate contrast in the New Testament. John 10:28-29 states of Jesus' sheep, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." God's grip is one of salvation, contrasting with the destructive grip of the deceivers.

Ezekiel 13 summary

The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy against Israel’s false prophets and prophetesses. He condemns the male prophets for speaking from their own imagination, offering a false message of "peace" which is like whitewash on a crumbling wall that God's stormy judgment will destroy. He then condemns the female prophetesses for using occult practices to "hunt" souls for paltry gain, reversing God's moral order by discouraging the righteous and encouraging the wicked. God promises to tear away their magic charms, free their victims, and put a stop to all their deceptive visions, so that all will know that He is the LORD.

Ezekiel 13 AI Image Audio and Video

Ezekiel chapter 13 kjv

  1. 1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
  2. 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
  3. 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
  4. 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
  5. 5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
  6. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
  7. 7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
  8. 8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
  9. 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
  10. 10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
  11. 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
  12. 12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
  13. 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
  14. 14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
  15. 15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
  16. 16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
  17. 17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
  18. 18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?
  19. 19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
  20. 20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
  21. 21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
  22. 22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
  23. 23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel chapter 13 nkjv

  1. 1 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
  2. 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, 'Hear the word of the LORD!' "
  3. 3 Thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
  4. 4 O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts.
  5. 5 You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD.
  6. 6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, 'Thus says the LORD!' But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.
  7. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, 'The LORD says,' but I have not spoken."
  8. 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you," says the Lord GOD.
  9. 9 "My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
  10. 10 "Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, 'Peace!' when there is no peace?and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar?
  11. 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down.
  12. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?' "
  13. 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it.
  14. 14 So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
  15. 15 "Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untempered mortar; and I will say to you, 'The wall is no more, nor those who plastered it,
  16. 16 that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,' " says the Lord GOD.
  17. 17 "Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them,
  18. 18 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?
  19. 19 And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?"
  20. 20 'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds.
  21. 21 I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
  22. 22 "Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.
  23. 23 Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD." ' "

Ezekiel chapter 13 niv

  1. 1 The word of the LORD came to me:
  2. 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the LORD!
  3. 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
  4. 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins.
  5. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD.
  6. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the LORD has not sent them, they say, "The LORD declares," and expect him to fulfill their words.
  7. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken?
  8. 8 "?'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD.
  9. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
  10. 10 "?'Because they lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,
  11. 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth.
  12. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?"
  13. 13 "?'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.
  14. 14 I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the LORD.
  15. 15 So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, "The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it,
  16. 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign LORD."?'
  17. 17 "Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them
  18. 18 and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?
  19. 19 You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.
  20. 20 "?'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.
  21. 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
  22. 22 Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives,
  23. 23 therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the LORD.'?"

Ezekiel chapter 13 esv

  1. 1 The word of the LORD came to me:
  2. 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: 'Hear the word of the LORD!'
  3. 3 Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
  4. 4 Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.
  5. 5 You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the LORD.
  6. 6 They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.
  7. 7 Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, 'Declares the LORD,' although I have not spoken?"
  8. 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.
  9. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
  10. 10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
  11. 11 say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
  12. 12 And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the coating with which you smeared it?'
  13. 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.
  14. 14 And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
  15. 15 Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash, and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it,
  16. 16 the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.
  17. 17 "And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own hearts. Prophesy against them
  18. 18 and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists, and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in the hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive?
  19. 19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, putting to death souls who should not die and keeping alive souls who should not live, by your lying to my people, who listen to lies.
  20. 20 "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds.
  21. 21 Your veils also I will tear off and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand as prey, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
  22. 22 Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,
  23. 23 therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. And you shall know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel chapter 13 nlt

  1. 1 Then this message came to me from the LORD:
  2. 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, 'Listen to the word of the LORD.
  3. 3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!'
  4. 4 "O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins.
  5. 5 They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the LORD.
  6. 6 Instead, they have told lies and made false predictions. They say, 'This message is from the LORD,' even though the LORD never sent them. And yet they expect him to fulfill their prophecies!
  7. 7 Can your visions be anything but false if you claim, 'This message is from the LORD,' when I have not even spoken to you?
  8. 8 "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because what you say is false and your visions are a lie, I will stand against you, says the Sovereign LORD.
  9. 9 I will raise my fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, and they will be banished from the community of Israel. I will blot their names from Israel's record books, and they will never again set foot in their own land. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
  10. 10 "This will happen because these evil prophets deceive my people by saying, 'All is peaceful' when there is no peace at all! It's as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash!
  11. 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down.
  12. 12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, 'What happened to your whitewash?'
  13. 13 "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will sweep away your whitewashed wall with a storm of indignation, with a great flood of anger, and with hailstones of fury.
  14. 14 I will break down your wall right to its foundation, and when it falls, it will crush you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
  15. 15 At last my anger against the wall and those who covered it with whitewash will be satisfied. Then I will say to you: 'The wall and those who whitewashed it are both gone.
  16. 16 They were lying prophets who claimed peace would come to Jerusalem when there was no peace. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!'
  17. 17 "Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations.
  18. 18 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of my people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves?
  19. 19 You bring shame on me among my people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.
  20. 20 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting my people free like birds set free from a cage.
  21. 21 I will tear off the magic veils and save my people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
  22. 22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn't want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins.
  23. 23 Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue my people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the LORD."
  1. Bible Book of Ezekiel
  2. 1 Ezekiel in Babylon
  3. 2 Ezekiel's Call
  4. 3 A Watchman for Israel
  5. 4 The Siege of Jerusalem Symbolized
  6. 5 Jerusalem Will Be Destroyed
  7. 6 Judgment Against Idolatry
  8. 7 The Day of the Wrath of the Lord
  9. 8 Abominations in the Temple
  10. 9 Idolaters Killed
  11. 10 The Glory of the Lord Leaves the Temple
  12. 11 Judgment on Wicked Counselors
  13. 12 Judah's Captivity Symbolized
  14. 13 False Prophets Condemned
  15. 14 Idolatry Will Be Punished
  16. 15 Jerusalem, a Useless Vine
  17. 16 The Lord's Faithless Bride
  18. 17 Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine
  19. 18 The Soul Who Sins Shall Die
  20. 19 A Lament for the Princes of Israel
  21. 20 Israel's Continuing Rebellion
  22. 21 The Sword of the Lord
  23. 22 Israel's Shedding of Blood
  24. 23 Oholah and Oholibah the immoral sisters
  25. 24 The Siege of Jerusalem
  26. 25 Prophecy Against Ammon
  27. 26 Prophecy Against Tyre
  28. 27 A Lament for Tyre
  29. 28 Prophecy against the King of Tyre
  30. 29 Prophecy Against Egypt
  31. 30 A Lament for Egypt
  32. 31 Pharaoh to Be Slain
  33. 32 A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt
  34. 33 Ezekiel Is Israel's Watchman
  35. 34 Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel
  36. 35 Prophecy Against Mount Seir
  37. 36 Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel
  38. 37 The Dry Bones Live
  39. 38 Prophecy Against Gog
  40. 39 The Lord Will Restore Israel
  41. 40 Vision of the New Temple
  42. 41 The Inner Temple
  43. 42 The Temple's Chambers
  44. 43 The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple
  45. 44 The Gate for the Prince
  46. 45 The Holy District
  47. 46 The Prince and the Feasts
  48. 47 Water Flowing from the Temple
  49. 48 The Gates of the City