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Ezekiel 13

23 verses

TL;DR

Ezekiel 13 warns Israel’s prophets—both men and women—of their deceptive visions, calling out their vanity and false peace promises, and prophesies divine judgment on those who mislead the people.

Summary

The chapter opens with a divine command for the prophet to rebuke the prophets of Israel who proclaim visions from their own hearts, accusing them of foolishness and untruth. The Lord likens them to foxes and condemns their false claims of peace and divine assurance, stating that their prophecies are mere vanity and lies. He threatens judgment: the prophets will be excluded from the assembly, written names erased, and the foundation of Israel’s faith shaken. The text uses vivid imagery—walls built with untempered mortar, stormy winds, and hail—to illustrate the destruction that will come from their deceit. Women who also prophesy are called out for sewing pillows and kerchiefs, suggesting manipulative tactics to “hunt souls.” The Lord affirms that his purpose is to free the righteous from falsehood and strengthen the wicked’s hands, thereby revealing his sovereignty. Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes the danger of false prophecy and the certainty of divine justice.

Outline
  1. 1. Call to rebuke false prophets for vanity and deceit
  2. 2. Description of prophets as foxes and their false promises of peace
  3. 3. Divine judgment imagery—storm, hail, wall collapse—and call to women prophets
Themes
False prophecy and deceptionDivine judgment and sovereigntyProtection of the righteousWomen’s role in religious deception
Keywords
prophecyvanityliesjudgmentIsraelJerusalemstormhailuntempered mortarwomenpillowskerchiefs
People
Prophets of IsraelWomen prophets
Places
IsraelJerusalem
Things
Wall with untempered mortarStormy windOverflowing showerHailstonesPillowsKerchiefs
Key Verses
  • Ezekiel 13:3: Introduces the prophetic condemnation of vanity
  • Ezekiel 13:10: Illustrates the storm imagery as judgment
  • Ezekiel 13:17: Calls out female prophets and expands the scope of judgment
Questions
  • What constitutes a true prophetic vision according to this passage?
  • How does the imagery of the wall and storm symbolize the failure of false prophets?
  • Why are women specifically called out in the context of prophetic deception?
  • In what way does this chapter emphasize God’s protection of the righteous?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter contains strong condemnation and warning against deceit, reflecting a negative tone toward false prophets.