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Reproof of False Prophets
Ezekiel 13:1–16 is a strong warning against prophets who claim to speak for Yahweh when their message comes from themselves. The passage shows how false reassurance misleads people and how Yahweh answers it with declared judgement.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh tells Ezekiel to prophesy against prophets in Israel. The focus stays on what they say, what they fail to do for the people, and how Yahweh responds to their false visions of peace. The whole message is given as prophecy and teaching from Yahweh through Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 13:1–16Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh rejects messages that use his name falsely and expose people to danger by promising peace where there is none.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh speaks against self-made prophecyThe message begins with Yahweh telling Ezekiel to speak against prophets who prophesy "out of their own heart".
Explanation
The message begins with Yahweh telling Ezekiel to speak against prophets who prophesy "out of their own heart". Yahweh calls them foolish because they follow their own spirit and "have seen nothing". Their authority is empty, even though they speak as if they carry Yahweh’s word.
02They have not protected the peopleThe comparison to foxes in waste places suggests damage and ruin rather than help. These prophets have not gone into the gaps or built up the wall for Israel.
Explanation
The comparison to foxes in waste places suggests damage and ruin rather than help. These prophets have not gone into the gaps or built up the wall for Israel. Instead of strengthening the people for "Yahweh’s day", they leave them exposed while still claiming divine authority.
03False words bring declared consequencesYahweh says these prophets see falsehood and speak lying divination. They keep saying, "Yahweh says," though Yahweh has not sent or spoken to them, and this gives people false hope.
Explanation
Yahweh says these prophets see falsehood and speak lying divination. They keep saying, "Yahweh says," though Yahweh has not sent or spoken to them, and this gives people false hope. Therefore Yahweh declares that his hand is against them: they will not be in the council of his people, written in the house of Israel, or enter the land of Israel.
04The whitewashed wall will fallThe prophets say, "Peace," when there is no peace. Yahweh compares this to a weak wall covered with whitewash.
Explanation
The prophets say, "Peace," when there is no peace. Yahweh compares this to a weak wall covered with whitewash. The surface may look sound, but storm, rain and hail reveal the truth. Yahweh will tear it down, uncover its foundation, and show that both the wall and those who covered it cannot stand.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is wrong with the prophets’ source of authority in this passage?
Look for the contrast between speaking from their own heart or spirit and being truly sent or spoken to by Yahweh.
02How does the passage show that these prophets failed the people, not just themselves?
Notice the images of gaps in the wall, the battle, and the way false words gave people hope without real protection.
03What specific judgement does Yahweh declare against these prophets?
Read carefully for the three stated consequences in Yahweh’s words, not just the general statement that he is against them.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 13:1–16
1Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word:
3The Lord Yahweh says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.
5You have not gone up into the gaps or built up the wall for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in Yahweh’s day.
6They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, ‘Yahweh says;’ but Yahweh has not sent them. They have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.
7Haven’t you seen a false vision, and haven’t you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, ‘Yahweh says;’ but I have not spoken?”
8“ ‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” says the Lord Yahweh.
9“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”
10“ ‘Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, “Peace;” and there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, behold, they plaster it with whitewash.
11Tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, will fall. A stormy wind will tear it.
12Behold, when the wall has fallen, won’t it be said to you, “Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?”
13“ ‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath. There will be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.
14So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the middle of it. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
15Thus I will accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash. I will tell you, ‘The wall is no more, nor those who plastered it—
16to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace,’ ” says the Lord Yahweh.’ ”