Single lesson
Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets
Ezekiel 13:1–16; Ezekiel 13:17–23
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. This lesson also brings together Reproof of False Prophetesses.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that Yahweh rejects messages that use his name falsely and expose people to danger by promising peace where there is none. God opposes false spiritual claims that trap people, grieve the righteous and encourage the wicked.
Welcome: Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets
5 minIntroduce “Reproof of False Prophets”, “Reproof of False Prophetesses” and locate Ezekiel 13:1–16; Ezekiel 13:17–23. This passage teaches that Yahweh rejects messages that use his name falsely and expose people to danger by promising peace where there is none. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Ezekiel 13:1, Ezekiel 13:9, Ezekiel 13:16
Read and explain the passage
12 minReproof of False Prophets (Ezekiel 13:1–16): 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.
Reproof of False Prophetesses (Ezekiel 13:17–23): The passage begins with a direct command to Ezekiel: he is to set his face against women who prophesy out of their own heart. That wording shows the source of their message is themselves, not the Lord. Ezekiel must speak against them because their claims carry spiritual danger.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Reproof of False Prophets”, “Reproof of False Prophetesses”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 13:1, Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:3, Ezekiel 13:17
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What is wrong with the prophets’ source of authority in this passage?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. God opposes false spiritual claims that trap people, grieve the righteous and encourage the wicked. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:3, Ezekiel 13:6, Ezekiel 13:7, Ezekiel 13:5, Ezekiel 13:20, Ezekiel 13:21, Ezekiel 13:23
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Reproof of False Prophets”, “Reproof of False Prophetesses” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Ezekiel 13:1, Ezekiel 13:12, Ezekiel 13:23
Closing: return to Reproof of False Prophetesses
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 13:17–23. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Reproof of False Prophetesses and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Ezekiel 13:17, Ezekiel 13:20, Ezekiel 13:23
Questions to explore
What 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.
Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:3, Ezekiel 13:6, Ezekiel 13:7
How 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.
Ezekiel 13:5, Ezekiel 13:6
What actions does God promise to take against them?
List the things he says he will tear away, stop, and whom he will deliver.
Ezekiel 13:20, Ezekiel 13:21, Ezekiel 13:23
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Ezekiel 13:1–16; Ezekiel 13:17–23. Use “Reproof of False Prophets”, “Reproof of False Prophetesses” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ezekiel 13: Reproof of False Prophets connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Reproof of False Prophets”, “Reproof of False Prophetesses” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 13:1–16; Ezekiel 13:17–23. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Ezekiel 13:1–16; Ezekiel 13:17–23. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ezekiel 13
1 Yahweh’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:
3 The Lord Yahweh says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.
5 You 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.
6 They 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.
7 Haven’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.
11 Tell 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.
12 Behold, 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.
14 So 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.
15 Thus 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—
16 to 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.’ ”
17 You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,
18 and say, “The Lord Yahweh says: ‘Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all elbows and make veils for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people and save souls alive for yourselves?
19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.’
20 “Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against your magic bands, with which you hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms. I will let the souls fly free, even the souls whom you ensnare like birds.
21 I will also tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand; and they will no longer be in your hand to be ensnared. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
22 Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive.
23 Therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.