Ezekiel 13:12 kjv
Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
Ezekiel 13:12 nkjv
Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?' "
Ezekiel 13:12 niv
When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, "Where is the whitewash you covered it with?"
Ezekiel 13:12 esv
And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the coating with which you smeared it?'
Ezekiel 13:12 nlt
And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, 'What happened to your whitewash?'
Ezekiel 13 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 13:12 | "Say to it, when the wall falls, will it not be said to you...?" | Divine judgment pronounced |
| Ezekiel 13:10 | "Because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace..." | False prophets' deception |
| Ezekiel 13:3 | "Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Because you have smeared yourselves with whitewash, and they believe you who do not believe, it shall fall." | Uncompromising divine verdict |
| Jeremiah 6:14 | "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." | Similar condemnation |
| Jeremiah 8:11 | "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." | False healing offered |
| Isaiah 5:20 | "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness..." | Perversion of truth |
| Isaiah 30:10 | "who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right; but make smooth things to us, tell us pleasant lies.’" | Demand for false prophecy |
| Proverbs 26:28 | "A lying tongue hates those whom it pierces, and a flattering mouth works ruin." | Consequences of lies |
| Romans 16:18 | "For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the innocent." | Deception by smooth talk |
| 2 Peter 2:1 | "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you..." | Appearance of false teachers |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." | Discernment required |
| Matthew 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warning against deception |
| Acts 20:30 | "and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." | Internal threats |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:21 | "but test everything. Hold fast to what is good," | Importance of testing |
| Genesis 6:11 | "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was full of violence." | Pervasive corruption |
| Deuteronomy 11:17 | "lest the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and he shut up the heavens so that there be no rain..." | God's judgment on disobedience |
| Psalm 78:58 | "They provoked him to jealousy with their foreign gods and angered him with their abominations." | Provoking God's anger |
| Jeremiah 23:17 | "They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you.’" | Belittling God's word |
| Amos 3:6 | "If a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?" | Lack of clear warning |
| Matthew 24:24 | "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." | Deceptive signs and wonders |
| Revelation 13:11-14 | Description of the second beast performing deceptive signs | Final deceptive power |
Ezekiel 13 verses
Ezekiel 13 12 Meaning
The Lord declares that He has plastered a wall with untempered mortar, signifying a flimsy and inadequate defense that will surely crumble under the coming storm. This signifies the deceptive prophecies of false prophets, which offered false security and would ultimately lead to ruin for those who relied on them.
Ezekiel 13 12 Context
This verse is found within the context of Ezekiel's prophecy against false prophets in Israel. The chapter addresses the corruption and deception prevalent in Judah, specifically through the misuse of prophetic office. Ezekiel is commanded to pronounce judgment upon those who prophesy lies and offer false assurances of peace and security to a people facing imminent destruction. The analogy of the plastered wall speaks to the superficial and temporary nature of their false messages, which offer no true protection. The historical context is the period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile, a time of national crisis and spiritual decay for Judah.
Ezekiel 13 12 Word analysis
"Yea" (və-'im - וְאִם): "And if." Introduces a conditional statement, posing a rhetorical question that anticipates the inevitable outcome.
"in," (bə-): A preposition indicating the place or manner in which something occurs.
"so" (kēn - כֵּן): "Thus," "so." Refers back to the action of plastering with untempered mortar.
"is" (hū'- ה֥וּא): "It is." Connects the subject (the wall) with the predicative statement.
"the" (ha'- הַ): The definite article, specifying "wall."
"wall" (qîr - קִ֥יר): A wall, usually of a city or building.
"fallen," (nāpal - נָפְּלָה): "Fallen," "collapsed." Indicates complete destruction or ruin.
"shall" (hə- הֲ): An interrogative particle, initiating a question.
"it" (lō'- לֹּא): "Not." Negative particle.
"be" (yə'āmēr - יֵאָמֵר): "It shall be said," "one will say." Passive voice of "to say."
"to" (lāhem - לָהֶם): "To them," referring to those who plastered the wall, the false prophets.
"you" (’attēm - אַתֶּם): Plural pronoun, addressing the false prophets.
Group Analysis:
- "when the wall is fallen": This phrase (the falling of the wall) is a consequence of the improper plastering. It emphasizes the inevitable collapse due to the weak foundation laid by the false prophets.
- "shall it not be said to you": This is a rhetorical question highlighting the absurdity of denying responsibility. It challenges the false prophets and implies that their actions will be openly condemned by everyone, including those who benefit from the ruined structure. The "them" refers directly back to the false prophets being addressed earlier in the chapter.
Ezekiel 13 12 Bonus section
The concept of a plastered wall as a metaphor for false prophecy is potent. Untempered mortar signifies a mix of materials that has not been properly prepared or cured. In this context, it represents prophecies that are not founded on divine truth but on human expediency or deception. Just as an improperly mixed mortar will cause a wall to crack and fall, false prophecies offer no genuine spiritual support and will inevitably collapse under the weight of God's judgment. This verse underscores the critical importance of prophetic accuracy and integrity, as well as the responsibility of the people to discern truth from falsehood, particularly during times of crisis. The imagery emphasizes the inevitability of exposure for those who propagate lies about God's will and pronouncements.
Ezekiel 13 12 Commentary
The Lord poses a rhetorical question to the false prophets who have deceived the people with their superficial pronouncements of peace. He asks if, when the wall they plastered with "untempered mortar" (flimsy plaster) inevitably falls, people won't turn to them and say, "Where is the coating you applied?" This question highlights the futility and utter failure of their deceptive prophecies. Their message of false security is as unstable as unmixed mortar, destined to crumble under divine judgment. The implication is that the people will recognize the deceit and hold the prophets accountable when disaster strikes. It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of misrepresenting God's message and misleading God's people, leading only to ruin and exposure of their falsehood.