Read & explore together
Evil in High Places
Ezekiel 11:1–12 shows a prophetic message against leaders at the temple gate. The passage exposes proud advice, hidden thoughts, violence in the city, and Yahweh’s judgement on people who rejected his statutes.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the Spirit brings Ezekiel to the east gate of Yahweh’s house, where he sees twenty-five men, including Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, described as princes of the people. Yahweh identifies them as men who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel, then commands Ezekiel to prophesy against them.
Ezekiel 11:1–12Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh knows corrupt counsel and judges leaders who fill a city with violence and refuse his statutes.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The Spirit brings Ezekiel to the gateThe passage begins as the Spirit lifts Ezekiel to the east gate of Yahweh’s house. There he sees twenty-five men at the doorway, including Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, called princes of the people.
Explanation
The passage begins as the Spirit lifts Ezekiel to the east gate of Yahweh’s house. There he sees twenty-five men at the doorway, including Jaazaniah and Pelatiah, called princes of the people. The setting matters because the message is directed at public leaders in a place connected with Yahweh’s house.
02Leaders who give wicked counselYahweh says these men devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in the city. Their saying, “This is the cauldron, and we are the meat,” pictures the city as a pot that will keep them safe inside it.
Explanation
Yahweh says these men devise iniquity and give wicked counsel in the city. Their saying, “This is the cauldron, and we are the meat,” pictures the city as a pot that will keep them safe inside it. Ezekiel is told to prophesy against that confidence.
03Yahweh knows what is in their mindsWhen Yahweh’s Spirit falls on Ezekiel, he must speak for Yahweh. Yahweh says he knows what they have said and even the things that come into their mind.
Explanation
When Yahweh’s Spirit falls on Ezekiel, he must speak for Yahweh. Yahweh says he knows what they have said and even the things that come into their mind. Their guilt is not hidden. He also charges them with multiplying the slain and filling the streets with the slain.
04The cauldron saying is turned back on themYahweh answers their own image with judgement. The slain in the city are the meat, and the city is the cauldron, but these leaders will be brought out from its middle.
Explanation
Yahweh answers their own image with judgement. The slain in the city are the meat, and the city is the cauldron, but these leaders will be brought out from its middle. The place they treated as protection will not shelter them from what Yahweh declares.
05Judgement reveals who Yahweh isThe leaders fear the sword, and Yahweh says he will bring the sword on them. He will bring them out, deliver them into the hands of strangers, and judge them at the border of Israel.
Explanation
The leaders fear the sword, and Yahweh says he will bring the sword on them. He will bring them out, deliver them into the hands of strangers, and judge them at the border of Israel. They will know that he is Yahweh because they did not walk in his statutes or execute his ordinances.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the leaders mean when they say, “This is the cauldron, and we are the meat”?
Notice how Yahweh answers the same picture and shows that the city will not protect them as they assume.
02What does Yahweh say he knows about these leaders?
Look for both their public words and what is happening inwardly in their minds.
03According to verse 12, why will they know that Yahweh is Yahweh?
Read the verse closely and list the failures named there.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 11:1–12
1Moreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of Yahweh’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twenty-five men were at the door of the gate; and I saw among them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
2He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;
3who say, ‘The time is not near to build houses. This is the cauldron, and we are the meat.’
4Therefore prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man.”
5Yahweh’s Spirit fell on me, and he said to me, “Speak, ‘Yahweh says: “Thus you have said, house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.
6You have multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled its streets with the slain.”
7“ ‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Your slain whom you have laid in the middle of it, they are the meat, and this is the cauldron; but you will be brought out of the middle of it.
8You have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword on you,” says the Lord Yahweh.
9“I will bring you out of the middle of it, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.
10You will fall by the sword. I will judge you in the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
11This will not be your cauldron, neither will you be the meat in the middle of it. I will judge you in the border of Israel.
12You will know that I am Yahweh, for you have not walked in my statutes. You have not executed my ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are around you.” ’ ”