Ezekiel 13:20 kjv
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.
Ezekiel 13:20 nkjv
'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.
Ezekiel 13:20 niv
"?'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.
Ezekiel 13:20 esv
"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.
Ezekiel 13:20 nlt
"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.
Ezekiel 13 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 13:20 | So the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against your bands by which you hunt souls for victims... | Direct Prophecy of Judgment |
| Ezekiel 13:21 | "...and I will tear them from your arms..." | Divine Intervention to Liberate Souls |
| Genesis 3:15 | And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed... | First Prophecy of Conflict |
| Psalms 91:3 | He will deliver you from the fowler’s snare And from the destructive pestilence. | God as Deliverer from Snares |
| Isaiah 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil... | Deception and Misleading Teachings |
| Jeremiah 14:14 | Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy falsely in my name. I have not sent them, nor commanded them, nor spoken to them... | False Prophecies Condemned |
| Jeremiah 23:14 | “But among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: the commission of adultery and walking in lies... | Spiritual Adultery and Deceit |
| Jeremiah 29:8 | For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you... | Warning Against False Prophets |
| Matthew 7:15 | “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. | Identification of False Teachers |
| Matthew 24:11 | “and many false prophets will rise and lead many astray. | Prevalence of False Prophecy |
| 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. | Deception by Signs and Wonders |
| Acts 20:29 | I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock... | Danger of False Teachers within the Church |
| 2 Corinthians 11:13 | For such persons are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. | False Apostles Disguised |
| 2 Corinthians 11:14 | And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. | Satanic Deception |
| Galatians 1:6 | I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— | Abandoning True Doctrine |
| Colossians 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. | Warning Against Deceptive Teachings |
| 2 Timothy 3:5 | having the outward appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. | Hypocrisy and False Piety |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | For there will come a time when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions... | Attraction to Fleshy Teachings |
| Hebrews 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning thoughts and intentions of the heart. | The Power of God’s Word |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. | Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance |
Ezekiel 13 verses
Ezekiel 13 20 Meaning
The verse describes God's judgment upon prophetesses who illegally hunt souls, by rending them from His people. The divine hand of God is against them, and their spiritual manipulation will be exposed.
Ezekiel 13 20 Context
This verse is found within Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning the false prophetesses in Israel. These women, akin to the false prophets denounced elsewhere, preyed on the people's spiritual vulnerabilities. They practiced divination and offered soothing but ultimately false messages of peace and security. Ezekiel’s message, delivered in a time of increasing apostasy and judgment, reveals God’s active opposition to these deceptive practices and individuals. The pronouncement highlights God's authority and His intention to protect His flock from spiritual predators.
Ezekiel 13 20 Word Analysis
So (וּבְכֵן - uv'khen): Introduces a conclusion or consequence based on what has been said.
the Lord (אֲדֹנָי - Adonai): A title for God emphasizing sovereignty and mastership.
GOD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, expressing His personal relationship with His people.
says (אָמַר - amar): The act of speaking or declaring.
Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): A particle commanding attention; indicating something important or remarkable.
I (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): The first-person singular pronoun.
am (הָיָה - hayah): The verb to be, indicating existence or state.
against (בְּ - bə): Preposition indicating opposition or directed towards.
your (־ַכן - -kem): Second person masculine plural possessive suffix.
bands (צִדִּים - tsiddim): Likely refers to nets, snares, or possibly coverings, implying trapping or entangling.
by which (בַּאֲשֶׁר - ba'asher): "in that which" or "whereby," indicating the means or instrument.
you (אַתֶּן - atten): Second person feminine plural pronoun.
hunt (צוּד - tsud): To hunt, ensnare, or catch. Often used metaphorically for spiritual entrapment.
souls (נְפָשׁוֹת - nefashot): Souls or lives. The focus is on entrapping people.
for (לְ־ - lə): Preposition indicating purpose or destination.
victims (טֶרֶף - teref): Prey, spoils, or that which is torn or plundered.
your (־ֵכן - -khen): Second person feminine plural possessive suffix.
bands (בַּצִּיִּים - battesiddim): Plural of 'tsiddim', emphasizing the instruments of their craft.
by which (בַּאֲשֶׁר - ba'asher): Similar to the previous usage, indicating the means.
you (אַתֶּן - atten): Second person feminine plural pronoun.
hunt (צֻדִּים - tsuddim): Present participle, continuing the action of hunting.
souls (נְפָשׁוֹת - nefashot): Souls, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of those being targeted.
for (לְ־ - lə): Purpose.
victims (טֶרֶף - teref): Prey, referring to those being devoured or captured by deception.
Ezekiel 13 20 Bonus Section
The specific targeting of "prophetesses" (חֹזֶה - chozeh, although feminine forms or context would indicate women prophets) in this chapter highlights that spiritual deception is not exclusive to men. Their method of hunting souls suggests exploiting psychological or spiritual weaknesses, much like wolves preying on vulnerable sheep. The term "bands" (צִדִּים - tsiddim) can also relate to veils or wraps, hinting at covering up truth or adorning falsehoods. This verse is a stark reminder of the importance of discernment and adherence to God's true word in the face of spiritual manipulation.
Ezekiel 13 20 Commentary
God directly addresses the false prophetesses, confronting their practice of spiritually ensnaring individuals. Their craft is likened to hunting prey with nets or snares, implying a deceptive and manipulative method aimed at capturing souls for their own gain. God declares His direct opposition to these actions. This isn't a passive observation but an active intervention, indicating judgment and a reversal of their power. The phrase "tear them from your arms" signifies God's authority to reclaim those who have been misled, dismantling the prophetesses’ control and exposing their deceptive spiritual operations. The imagery underscores the spiritual warfare involved, with God as the defender of His people against those who would lead them astray through false prophecy and manipulative spiritual tactics.