Ezekiel 13:22 kjv
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:
Ezekiel 13:22 nkjv
"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.
Ezekiel 13:22 niv
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,
Ezekiel 13:22 esv
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,
Ezekiel 13:22 nlt
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.
Ezekiel 13 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 13:17 | "Son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people..." | Rebuke of false prophetesses |
| Jeremiah 23:16 | "Do not listen to what the prophets are saying, for they fill you with false hope." | Warning against false prophets |
| Jeremiah 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them or commanded them or spoken to them." | Divine denial of false prophecy |
| Micah 3:5 | "This is what the Lord says: 'About prophets who go astray...'" | Condemnation of misleading prophets |
| Matthew 7:15 | "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." | Warning against false prophets |
| 2 Corinthians 11:13 | "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ." | Deception of false ministers |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number one will arise, speaking twisted things, to draw away disciples after themselves." | Future false teachers |
| 2 Timothy 3:5 | "having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." | Hypocritical religious people |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Discernment of spirits |
| Proverbs 26:28 | "A lying tongue goestoes to ruin, and a flattering mouth works destruction." | Negative effects of deceit |
| Isaiah 30:10 | "who say to the seers, 'See no visions,' and to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy what is right, but flatter us with smooth things; prophesy illusions.'" | Demand for pleasant falsehoods |
| Ezekiel 34:2 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed only themselves!" | Condemnation of self-serving leaders |
| Romans 16:18 | "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the unsuspecting." | Deception through flattery |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 | "Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test everything. Hold on to what is good." | Importance of testing prophecy |
| Matthew 24:24 | "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect." | Signs of the end times |
| John 10:12 | "The hired hand is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep. He abandons the sheep and runs away when he sees the wolf coming. This is the meaning of the parable." | Contrast with true shepherd |
| Psalm 12:2 | "Everyone flatters his neighbor and speaks with two tongues." | Deceitful speech |
| Proverbs 10:19 | "Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." | Caution with words |
| Isaiah 58:1 | "Shout for joy! This is what the Lord says: Rejoice with all your heart!" | Contrast with true prophecy |
| Jeremiah 6:14 | "They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace." | False healing/peace |
Ezekiel 13 verses
Ezekiel 13 22 Meaning
This verse expresses God's strong disapproval of false prophets who disheartened the righteous by promoting false security and peace, effectively making it appear as if God had spoken when He had not. God states His face will be against them.
Ezekiel 13 22 Context
In chapter 13, Ezekiel is commissioned to prophesy against the false prophets and prophetesses in Israel, particularly those in Jerusalem. They are depicted as preying on the vulnerable, giving hollow assurances of peace and prosperity while the nation faces impending doom due to its sin. Ezekiel's message is a sharp contrast to the comforting lies these false prophets offer, emphasizing God's judgment. This verse, 13:22, is a conclusion to God's direct accusation against the false prophets. They have weakened the resolve of the righteous and strengthened the wicked by their misleading pronouncements, all the while claiming divine authority. God declares His intention to intervene and remove them from His people because of their harmful ministry.
Ezekiel 13 22 Word Analysis
And (וְ - vav): Conjunction, indicating a continuation or consequence of the preceding statements.
because (בַּעֲבוּר - ba'avur): Demonstrates causality, indicating the reason for God's action.
ye (נַפְשׁוֹת - naphshoth): Plural of "nephesh," often translated as "soul" or "life." Here it signifies "souls" or "lives."
the righteous (צַדִּיק - tsaddiq): One who is just or upright.
made (חִזַּקְתֶּם - chizzaktem): Strengthened, fortified, or encouraged.
to sin (בְּחֵטְא - bechet'): With sin, iniquity, or fault. It implies causing someone to sin or continue in sin.
by (עַל - al): Upon, against. Indicates the means or manner of the action.
their (סִפּוּר - sippur): A speaking, narrative, or report.
lie (שֶׁקֶר - sheqer): Falsehood, deception, vanity.
lest (לְמַעַן - lema'an): With the purpose that not.
I (אֲנִי - ani): First-person pronoun, emphasizing God's personal involvement.
should (יָכַל - yakal): Be able, have strength.
cast (הִפְּלָה - hippleh): To distinguish, separate, or cast down.
them (כֶּרֶם - kerem): Vineyard, but here referring to souls/people.
away (רָעָה - ra'ah): Evil, wickedness, badness.
and (וְ - vav): Conjunction.
your (קּוֹל - qol): Voice, sound.
neighbor (רֵעַ - re'a): Friend, companion, fellow man.
cast (וּמִדְדֹּת - u'midodth): Measures, degrees; here, possibly casting down by measure.
them (כָּזָב - kazab): Falsehood, lie.
away (לְאַלְתִּי - l'al'ti): To cause to be forgotten or neglected.
with (אֶל - el): To, towards.
lies (שֶׁקֶר - sheqer): Falsehood.
for (כִּי - ki): For, because.
God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The supreme Being, God.
hath (עָשָׂה - asah): Did, made.
seen (רָאָה - ra'ah): To see, perceive.
your (כְּמִשְׂבַּת - kemisbath): According to rest or cessation.
vain (שָׁוְא - shav'): Vanity, emptiness, falsehood.
work (מְלָאכָה - melakhah): Work, business, deed.
I (אָנֹכִי - anokhi): I, emphatic.
will (שָׁלַח - shalach): Send, commission, give up.
set (שִׂים - sim): Put, set.
my (פָּנַי - panay): My face.
face (קָרִא — qara'; Hebrew often uses "face" for presence or opposition).
against (אֶל - el): Against.
them (בְּעָלוּת - be'aluth): Perversions, actions of lewdness; here referring to their false actions.
and (וְ - vav): Conjunction.
they (וְנִפְשְׁרוּ - ve'niphsheru): And shall be freed or unraveled; implies escape from consequences.
shall (מִדֶּרֶךְ - midderkh): From the way, path.
be (עָבָר - avar): To pass over, cross.
saved (בִּכְסוּי - biksuv): With covering, concealment.
Phrase: "made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad": This is a crucial phrase. The false prophets’ lies (uttering “Peace, peace” when there is no peace) depressed the truly righteous who knew God’s judgment was coming. Their sin was to negate God's work by their own false pronouncements. They did not truly cause the righteous to become less righteous in God’s sight, but they caused them sorrow and potentially undermined their faith by their conflicting messages. They brought despair to those who were upright before God.
Phrase: "and strengthened the hands of the wicked, by saying, 'Be encouraged!'": This points to their deception. They reassured the wicked, those actively disobeying God, that they were in good standing. This encouragement was false and enabled their continued sin by providing a false sense of security. They were effectively reinforcing evil by their pronouncements of peace.
Phrase: "so that he does not turn from his evil way.": This shows the direct consequence of their false prophecies. The wicked, instead of repenting because of the implied blessing of their false prophets, are solidified in their wickedness and turn not from their sinful paths. Their lies provide a theological justification for their continued rebellion.
Phrase: "I will set my face against them.": This is a strong expression of divine opposition. It signifies God’s direct disapproval, His intent to bring judgment, and His turning away from them. It means His attention and power will be directed towards their destruction or condemnation.
Ezekiel 13 22 Bonus Section
The emphasis on "strengthening the hands of the wicked" is significant because it speaks to the enablement of sin. By providing false assurances of God's favor to those engaged in wickedness, these prophets were not merely mistaken; they were active participants in promoting sin. The concept of God setting His face "against them" implies not just disapproval, but active opposition. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the presence of a deity's face meant favor and blessing; its absence or opposition meant judgment and ruin. This verse underscores the grave responsibility of those who speak for God, and the severe consequences of their words when they deviate from divine truth, particularly by promoting peace or righteousness where there is none.
Ezekiel 13 22 Commentary
Ezekiel 13:22 condemns the deceptive practices of false prophets who sought to reassure the wicked and demoralize the righteous. Their words offered false comfort, built on lies rather than God's truth. By falsely declaring "peace" and strength to those who deserved judgment, they undermined genuine faith and enabled continued sin. God’s response is unequivocal: He will oppose them because their ministry served to thwart His purposes and His covenant relationship with His people. Their "peace" was a sham, leading not to repentance but to deeper apostasy. This highlights the severe spiritual danger of flattering words spoken under the guise of divine authority, especially when they contradict God's revealed will and character. True spiritual leadership seeks to bring people to repentance and righteousness, not to foster comfortable falsehoods.