1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made [others] to hope that they would confirm the word.
7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.
10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:
11 Say unto them which daub [it] with untempered [morter], that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend [it].
12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where [is] the daubing wherewith ye have daubed [it]?
13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend [it] with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in [my] fury to consume [it].
14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered [morter], and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it;
16 [To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
18 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?
19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear [your] lies?
20 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.
21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
22 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:
23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
Ezekiel Chapter 13 Analysis
Ezekiel Chapter 13 addresses the issue of false prophets and the consequences of their misleading teachings. The chapter is a warning against those who claim to speak on behalf of God but do not convey His true message. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and the dangers posed by those who lead others astray.
Key Themes
- False Prophets: The chapter opens with a direct condemnation of false prophets who prophesy out of their own imaginations rather than from divine revelation.
- Judgment: God declares that He will judge these false prophets and hold them accountable for their actions.
- Deceptive Practices: The chapter highlights the use of superficial and deceptive practices by false prophets to gain followers and influence.
- Divine Authority: Emphasizes that true prophecy comes from God and that His word cannot be altered or misrepresented.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-3: The Lord’s command to Ezekiel to prophesy against the false prophets of Israel.
- Verses 4-5: A description of the false prophets as “foxes among ruins,” indicating their cunning and destructive nature.
- Verses 6-9: The false prophets’ messages are revealed to be false and misleading, and God declares that they will face judgment.
- Verses 10-16: A metaphorical critique of those who build a wall of deceit and cover it with untempered mortar, symbolizing the fragility of their false teachings.
- Verses 17-23: A direct address to the women who prophesy falsely, warning them of the consequences of their actions and the harm they cause to the people.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: Divine Command
In these opening verses, God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy against the false prophets. This establishes the authority of the message and highlights the seriousness of the situation. The phrase “prophesy against” indicates a confrontational stance, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Verses 4-5: Symbolism of the Foxes
The metaphor of “foxes among ruins” suggests that the false prophets are opportunistic, taking advantage of a vulnerable situation. This imagery evokes a sense of cunning and deceit, reinforcing the idea that their teachings are not rooted in truth.
Verses 6-9: The Nature of False Prophecy
These verses reveal the nature of the false prophets’ messages, which are characterized by lies and visions that do not come from God. The declaration of judgment against them underscores the seriousness of their actions and the divine displeasure they invoke.
Verses 10-16: The Wall of Deceit
The metaphor of building a wall with untempered mortar illustrates the fragility of false teachings. The wall represents a false sense of security that the prophets offer, which will ultimately lead to destruction. God’s promise to bring down this wall signifies the inevitable collapse of deceitful practices.
Verses 17-23: The Role of Women Prophets
In these concluding verses, the focus shifts to women who prophesy falsely. God condemns their actions and warns them of the consequences. This section emphasizes that false prophecy is not limited to a specific gender and that all who mislead others will face judgment.
Conclusion
Ezekiel Chapter 13 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of adhering to the true word of God. It calls for discernment among believers and emphasizes that misleading teachings can have dire consequences. The chapter reinforces the idea that God is vigilant in protecting His people from deceit and will ultimately bring justice to those who lead others astray.
