Ezekiel 13 18

Ezekiel 13:18 kjv

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?

Ezekiel 13:18 nkjv

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?

Ezekiel 13:18 niv

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?

Ezekiel 13:18 esv

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?

Ezekiel 13:18 nlt

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?

Ezekiel 13 verses

Ezekiel 13 18 Meaning

The verse condemns prophetesses who use magic and veils to ensnare individuals, portraying their actions as manipulative and spiritually deceptive. It emphasizes the spiritual vulnerability of those seeking them and highlights the prophetess's responsibility for the consequences.

Ezekiel 13 18 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's condemnation of false prophets and prophetesses in Jerusalem. The false prophets offered reassuring but deceptive messages, contrasting with God's judgment. Chapter 13 specifically targets those who prophesy peace when disaster is imminent and those who use deceptive practices like charms and veils to ensnare God's people for personal gain. Historically, the context is the impending Babylonian exile, a judgment against Israel's sin. These false prophets continued to give false hope, leading the people away from true repentance and understanding of God's justice.

Ezekiel 13 18 Word Analysis

• "And" (וְ - və): A conjunctive particle, linking this statement to the preceding denunciation of false prophetesses.

• "to" (לְ - lĕ): A preposition indicating purpose or direction.

• "hunt" (לִצּוֹד - litsod): Derived from the root צָד (tsad), meaning "to hunt," "to ensnare," "to trap." It signifies active pursuit and capture, often with malicious intent.

• "lives" (נְפָשׁוֹת - nefashot): The plural of נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh), meaning "soul," "life," "person." It refers to the vital essence of individuals, the very lives of God's people.

• "and" (וְ - və): Connective.

• "to make alive" (לְהַחֲיוֹת - leḥḥayot): From the root חָיָה (ḥayah), meaning "to live," "to revive," "to make alive." Here, it's used ironically, implying a false vitality or sustenance, rather than true spiritual life.

• "in" (בְּ - bə): Preposition of place or means.

• "her soul" (נַפְשָׁהּ - nafshah): "Her soul," emphasizing the personal agency and inner life of the prophetess.

• "the souls" (נַפְשׁוֹת - nefashot): Again, "souls," referring to the people themselves.

• "of my people" (עַמִּי - ammi): "My people," a possessive indicating God's relationship with Israel, highlighting the betrayal by false prophets.

• "and" (וְ - və): Connective.

• "to preserve" (לִשְׁמֹר - lishmor): From the root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to guard," "to keep," "to preserve," "to watch over." In this context, it suggests keeping them in a captive or controlled state, not true protection.

• "lives" (נְפָשׁוֹת - nefashot): Again, "souls" or "lives."

• "for" (לְ - lĕ): Preposition indicating for whom or for what purpose.

• "yourselves" (לָכֶן - lakhen): Referring to the prophetesses themselves, indicating their self-serving motives.

• Word Groups:

  • "to hunt down lives, and to make alive in her soul the souls of my people": This phrase captures the deceptive duality of the false prophetesses. They both ensnare (hunt) and offer a counterfeit form of sustenance (make alive), keeping God's people bound to their false teachings for their own benefit. It highlights a spiritual predation that masquerades as spiritual nurture.
  • "to preserve lives for yourselves": This clause explicitly reveals the self-serving motive behind their deceptive ministry. Their actions are not for the people's true well-being but to maintain their own status, livelihood, or influence ("for yourselves").

Ezekiel 13 18 Bonus Section

The concept of "making alive" is contrasted with God's true life-giving power. In Scripture, life originates from God alone, as seen in Genesis when God breathes life into Adam (Gen 2:7) or when Jesus proclaims Himself the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). The false prophetesses, however, offer a hollow imitation of this life, a spiritual anesthetic that prevents people from confronting truth and seeking true renewal from God. The "veils" likely represent spiritual obscurity or deceit, concealing their true motives and the devastating consequences of their false prophecies, similar to how Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). The practice of capturing "souls" for personal gain reflects a spiritual materialism where human lives are treated as commodities.

Ezekiel 13 18 Commentary

This verse exposes the manipulative spiritual practices of certain prophetesses. They are likened to hunters who ensnare lives using clandestine means ("veils"), offering a deceptive semblance of vitality or well-being ("make alive") that actually serves their own selfish agenda ("preserve lives for yourselves"). This highlights a profound betrayal, where spiritual leadership becomes a tool for personal gain, leading God's people into spiritual captivity rather than liberation. Their "making alive" is a perversion of true life, keeping souls bound to falsehood rather than to God.