Ezekiel 22:23 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 22:23 nkjv
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 22:23 niv
Again the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 22:23 esv
And the word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 22:23 nlt
Again a message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 22 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 13:2-3 | You prophesy out of your own imagination. "Thus says the Lord GOD!" | False prophets' own source |
| Jer 14:14 | The prophets prophesy falsely in my name. | Unlicensed prophetic utterances |
| Jer 20:11 | They shall not prevail; they shall be greatly ashamed, for their failure | Judgment on false prophets |
| Jer 23:16 | Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, for they fill you with vain hope. | Superficial pronouncements |
| Jer 23:21 | "I did not send these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied." | Uncommissioned pronouncements |
| Jer 23:30 | Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who steal my word everyone from his neighbor. | Stealing divine words |
| Mic 3:5-6 | Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry, "Peace!" when they have something to eat, but declare war on him who does not put food in their mouths. | Misleading messages for gain |
| Zech 10:2 | For the household idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie and told false dreams; they comfort in vain. | False mediums and dreams |
| Matt 7:15-16 | Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. | Identifying false prophets |
| Matt 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 |
| 2 Thess 2:9-11 | ...the coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing... | Satanic deception |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Testing the spirits |
| Rev 19:20 | And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who worked signs in its presence by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. | Final judgment of false prophet |
| Deut 18:20-22 | But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak... shall die. | Consequences of speaking falsehood |
| Prov 26:28 | A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. | Destructive nature of lies |
| Eze 13:6-7 | They have seen falsehood and lying divination for themselves, saying, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them; and yet they wait for their word to be fulfilled. | Prophesying falsehood for personal gain |
| Jer 6:14 | They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. | Superficial healing and peace |
| Acts 13:10 | "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord? | Deceptive speech and action |
| Isa 30:9-10 | That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the instruction of the LORD, who say to the seers, "See not," and to the prophets, "Give us no visions of what is right; speak to us smooth things, please; prophecies of illusion." | Rejection of divine truth |
| Eze 13:22-23 | Because you have disheartened the righteous with your falsehoods, when I have not discouraged them, and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked so that they cannot turn from their wicked way... | Negative impact of false prophecy |
Ezekiel 22 verses
Ezekiel 22 23 Meaning
The word of the Lord came, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, to those who prophesy from their own imagination. Say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!' " (Ezekiel 22:28, NKJV - Verse numbering varies in some English translations, but the essence of the verse concerning false prophets speaking from their own imagination is consistent). This verse specifically addresses prophets who did not receive messages from God but spoke from their own minds and desires, delivering falsehoods and leading people astray.
Ezekiel 22 23 Context
Ezekiel chapter 22 describes the deep corruption and sinfulness of Jerusalem. The city is filled with violence, injustice, oppression, and a disregard for God's laws. God's judgment is imminent due to their widespread sin. Within this chapter, Ezekiel is tasked by God to prophesy specifically against those who were falsely prophesying. These false prophets, mentioned in verses 28, were a significant part of the spiritual decay of Jerusalem. They offered comforting but untrue messages, often for personal gain, contradicting the dire warnings that God had actually sent through true prophets like Ezekiel himself. Their actions were particularly egregious because they exploited the spiritual vulnerability of the people during a time of crisis, exacerbating the city's spiritual condition and misleading them away from repentance and God's mercy.
Ezekiel 22 23 Word Analysis
- "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,": This is a recurring prophetic formula in Ezekiel (and other prophetic books like Jeremiah).
- "Word" (Hebrew: dabar) signifies a divine utterance, a message from God.
- "LORD" (Hebrew: Yahweh) is the personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with His people.
- "came unto me" (Hebrew: hayah 'elai) denotes divine impartation or revelation to the prophet.
- "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam): A title God frequently uses for Ezekiel.
- It signifies Ezekiel's humanity, a stark contrast to God's divinity.
- It also highlights that Ezekiel's message, though divine, is delivered through a human vessel.
- This phrase is used 93 times in Ezekiel, reinforcing his role as God's messenger.
- "Prophesy" (Hebrew: naba'): To speak forth divinely inspired utterances; to foretell or declare God's will.
- "against the prophets of Israel": This identifies the target audience of the prophecy – specific individuals claiming to be prophets within Israel.
- "that prophesy out of their own imagination" (Hebrew: muniea `iyoth) or similar phrasing indicating internal origin: This is the core of their condemnation.
- "Out of their own imagination" refers to messages originating from their own minds, desires, and speculative thoughts, rather than from direct divine revelation.
- This contrasts sharply with true prophecy, which is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).
- It suggests a lack of genuine spiritual perception or connection to God.
- "and have seen nothing" (Hebrew: lō-ra'ah): They lacked true spiritual vision or insight.
- "Seen" (Hebrew: ra'ah) here refers to a divinely granted perception or understanding, not just physical sight.
- They claimed to see visions or receive divine messages, but these were not genuine experiences of God's presence or truth.
Group Analysis:
- "Prophesy against the prophets of Israel, that prophesy out of their own imagination": This phrase juxtaposes the action of prophecy (speaking for God) with its corrupt source (human imagination). It underscores the grave sin of presuming to speak for God when one has not been sent or inspired by Him. It speaks to the internal motivation of pride and self-deception rather than a divine commission.
- "and have seen nothing": This amplifies the accusation. It's not just that they are inventing messages, but that they are doing so without any authentic divine encounter or insight, making their claims entirely empty and baseless. They are essentially blind in spiritual matters, claiming to see.
Ezekiel 22 23 Bonus Section
The condemnation of prophets speaking from their own imagination is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. Prophets like Jeremiah (Jer 23:16, 25-26) and Micah (Mic 3:5-7) were sent to rebuke similar spiritual leaders who were essentially practicing a form of self-induced divination. Their messages often focused on superficial "peace and safety" while ignoring the sin that truly endangered the nation. This echoes New Testament warnings about false prophets and teachers who would emerge within the church (Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3), often motivated by greed or a desire to manipulate believers. The core error remains the same: attributing one's own thoughts or desires to God.
Ezekiel 22 23 Commentary
Ezekiel 22:28 (often seen in connection with 13:2-3 and other similar verses) launches a scathing indictment against false prophets within Israel. Their central failing was speaking from their own subjective imaginations, not from God's direct command or inspiration. This implies a deviation from divine truth for personal reasons—perhaps to appease popular opinion, gain favor, or propagate their own agenda. The phrase "have seen nothing" underscores their utter spiritual bankruptcy; they were devoid of any authentic divine revelation or vision, yet they presented themselves as God's spokesmen. Their words were thus devoid of divine authority and purpose, leading the people astray with superficial comfort and deceitful prophecies, contrary to God's true will and warnings. This passage is a solemn reminder of the importance of speaking God's truth accurately and the severe consequences of presumptuous and misleading prophecy.