Ezequiel 13

Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible

Ezequiel 13:1-7

13:1 "Then the word of the Lord came to me saying" This chapter is an amplification of Ezek. 12:24, dealing with "false" prophets. 13:2 "prophesy against the prophets of Israel" Another category of Judean society is condemned! There are six charges brought against these prophets. they prophesied from their own inspiration they followed their own spirit they have seen nothing they have not gone into the breaches for My people they see falsehood they have misled My people The question, "How do you know a false prophet?" is extremely important (see full notes on the following texts online, Deut. 13:1-5; 18:21-22; Matt. 7; 1 John 4:1-3). This passage in Ezekiel is reminiscent of Jeremiah, chapters 23; 28; 29. The VERB "prophesy" (BDB 612, KB 659) is used twice in this verse. Niphal IMPERATIVE Niphal PARTICIPLE The NOUN "prophets" (nabi, BDB 611) is also used. See Special Topic following. A good discussion of the characteristics of false prophets is found in The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant R. Osborne, pp. 210-211. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT), I. B. ▣ "who prophesy from their own inspiration" See 2 Pet. 2:1-3 description of false prophets. The Hebrew term behind "inspiration" is "hearts" (BDB 524). SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "'Listen to the word of the Lord'" The VERB "listen" is literally "hear" (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE). YHWH is addressing the false prophets. This is a common VERB in the prophets. Notice a sample of who/what is addressed. Ezek. 3:17 ‒ Ezekiel Ezek. 6:3; 36:1,4 ‒ the mountains of Israel Ezek. 13:2 ‒ false prophets Ezek. 16:35 ‒ harlot Ezek. 18:25; 33:7,30 ‒ house of Israel Ezek. 20:47 ‒ forest of the Negev Ezek. 25:3 ‒ sons of Ammon Ezek. 34:7,9 ‒ shepherds (i.e. leaders) Ezek. 37:4 ‒ the dry bones SPECIAL TOPIC: LISTEN/HEAR (shema), I. B. 13:3 "the Lord God" This title is a combination of the terms Adon ‒ BDB 10 (SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD [adon and kurios]) YHWH ‒ BDB 217 (SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.) ▣ "'Woe'" This is the literary marker (BDB 222) for a prophetic literary form known as a funeral dirge. It is common in Isaiah (e.g. Isa. 5:8,11,18, 20, 21,22) and Jeremiah (e.g. Jer. 22:13,18 [four times]), but found in Ezekiel only in Ezek. 13:3,18 and 34:2. Several of the chapters in Isaiah begin with "Woe" (cf. Isaiah 28; 29; 30; 31; 33). ▣ "foolish prophets" This seems to refer to self deception (cf. Jer. 23:21-22), not low intelligence. The ADJECTIVE (BDB 614, KB 663 II) is used to describe Israel in Deut. 32:6,21. There is a Hebrew word play between prophet ‒ נביאום foolish ‒ נבלום SPECIAL TOPIC: FOOLISH, #3 ▣ "who are following their own spirit" Here is the problem! It is their own spirit that is leading them, not God's Spirit! They speak their word in God's name! SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE 13:4 "your prophets have been like foxes among ruins" Their only concern was for themselves (Ezek. 13:5). The word "foxes" (BDB 1043) may be a theological wordplay on "ruins" (BDB 352) ‒ places where foxes live (i.e. Jerusalem will be a place of ruins) "foxes" ‒ some desert animals that lived in the ruins of destroyed cities became associated with the demonic (NEB) "foxes" ‒ this term may also imply that these false prophets fed on the people (cf. Ps. 63:10) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OT, B. #6 13:5 This verse uses siege imagery to describe the false prophets' lack of action on behalf of the covenant people. did not go into the breaches ‒ BDB 829, "breaches" were holes made in the walls of cities by the enemy (cf. Isa. 58:12; Amos 4:3; 9:11) did not fortify the wall ‒ BDB 154, a good parallel to both images is Ezek. 22:30 Israel's only hope is in their God. These false religionists do not know Him. ▣ "the day of the Lord" This is imagery for the coming of YHWH's personal presence (cf. Ezek. 7:10,19; 30:3; Isa. 2:2; 13:6,9; 22:5; 34:8; Jer. 46:10; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18,20; Zeph. 1:7,14; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5). Israel often expected it to be a day of blessing and affirmation, but here it was a day of judgment. Judah was not in compliance with the Mosaic Covenant. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DAY OF THE LORD (NT) SPECIAL TOPIC: THAT DAY 13:6-7 These false prophets are characterized by several terms. they see falsehood (literally "vanity" or "nothingness," BDB 996; see SPECIAL TOPIC: EMPTY, VAIN, FALSE, NOTHINGNESS they see lying divination (BDB 890 construct 469; see SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION), cf. Ezek. 22:28; Micah 2:11 the Lord has not sent them (BDB 1018, KB 1511, Qal PERFECT, cf. Jer. 14:14; 23:21) their message is not from YHWH, Ezek. 13:7 (BDB 180, KB 210, Piel PERFECT) They claim to be YHWH's representatives, but they knowingly speak their own messages (cf. Ezek. 13:6c). These false prophets/preachers/teachers are always a problem for the people of God, Old Testament and New Testament. SPECIAL TOPIC: FALSE TEACHERS ▣ "the Lord declares" This is exactly the prophetic formula that Ezekiel and Jeremiah used. It was so difficult to know who was/is from God and who was/is not (cf. Jeremiah 28-29). See the important note at Ezek. 13:2.

Ezequiel 13:8-16

13:9 "My hand is against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations" There are three things God says He will do to these false prophets. they will lose their leadership ("council of My people," cf. Ps. 111:1) their names will be taken out of the register of the people of God (cf. Ps. 87:6; similar to the lists referred to in Neh. 7:64) they will not enter the Promised Land (this message is addressed to false prophets in both Babylon and Judah). They are completely removed from God's people! SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY 13:10 NASB, NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA "they have misled My people" "because they have seduced My people" "the prophets misled My people" "they have deceived My people" "they had led My people astray" "caused my people to err" The VERB (BDB 380, KB 377, Hiphil PERFECT) is found only here in the prophets. It occurs only one other time in Song of Songs 1:7, where it is translated "veils," NASB; "wanders," REV. In Arabic the root means "to exceed a just limit" or "one who deviates from the right path." In Ethiopian it means "apostasy," "superstition," or "idolatry." It seems that the term is used of not following the right path or way. YHWH's word was seen as a clearly marked path/road (cf. Ps. 89:15; 119:105; Prov. 6:2; Isa. 2:5; 1 John 1:6-7). To deviate from this path was to knowingly violate YHWH's covenant (e.g. Job 6:18; Ps. 16:11; 17:4; 25:4,10; Prov. 2:8,13,19,20; 3:6; 4:18; Isa. 2:3; 3:12). The prophets are willfully self-deluded and leading others astray also. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY ▣ "saying 'Peace' when there is no peace" This was the problem of the false prophets (cf. Ezek. 13:16). They were preaching the destruction of Neo-Babylon and the restoration of Israel (possibly following Isaiah's insistence that Jerusalem would not fall, but things had changed, the covenant promises were conditional on covenant obedience). The prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah were prophesying judgment and destruction (cf. Jer. 8:18; 28-29), not peace and safety! SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT) ▣ "a wall" This is a rare term (BDB 300) used only here in the OT. Kimchi (a Jewish commentator of the Middle Ages) says it means "an inferior partition." It is used in the sense of pretending to build something strong, but which is really very weak (i.e. Neh. 4:3). Here, it is used symbolically for the theological pronouncements of these false prophets. ▣ "they plastered over the whitewash" They hid their false religious pronouncements with a thin coating of religious language (cf. Ezek. 13:11)! There may be a wordplay between "plaster" (תפל, BDB 1074 II) and "tasteless" or "unsatisfying prophecies" (תפל, BDB 1074 II, cf. Lam. 2:14). 13:11 YHWH will expose the weakness of their false prophecies (cf. Ezek. 38:22) using imagery from nature. flooding rain, Ezek. 13:13 hailstones, Ezek. 13:13 a violent wind, Ezek. 13:13 Against these three the true nature of the wall (i.e. prophecies) of these false prophets will be clearly revealed (i.e. "fall," BDB 656, KB 709, Qal IMPERFECT, twice in Ezek. 13:11 and the Qal PERFECT in Ezek. 13:12). In the MT these three natural occurrences are not grammatically parallel, but from the context they are. NASB, NKJV, JPSOA "and you" NRSV, NJB —— TEV, REB "I will send" "I will give" "I will bring" "I will make" The MT has "and you" (ואתנה, BDB 61) but BDB suggests an alternate vocalization (cf. Gen. 31:6; Ezek. 13:11,20; 34:17). The UBS Text Project, p. 36, gives "and you" a "C" rating (considerable doubt) and suggests the translation, "as for you (O stones)." This is either: the personification of the hailstone judgment an affirmation that YHWH is the direct cause of weather judgment(s), cf. Isa. 28:2; 30:30 13:13 "in My wrath. . .in wrath" Wrath (BDB 404, cf. Ezek. 13:15) is anthropomorphic language. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN (anthropomorphism) 13:14 "its foundation is laid bare" This is an idiom of total destruction (cf. Micah 1:6 and possibly Hab. 3:13). The VERB is a Niphal PERFECT (BDB 162, KB 191). The term in the Niphal is often used of nakedness (cf. Ezek. 16:36; 23:29). YHWH will show the true nature of the false prophets' (male and female) messages of hope and security. 13:15 This is a proverb that YHWH directs to these false prophets. All of their efforts and words will come to naught. No lasting results! Their words and they themselves are no more! 13:16 "peace" The term "peace" (BDB 1022; see note at v. 10) is used in two senses in this verse. The false teachers used it in the sense of the political autonomy of Judah. Ezekiel uses it in the sense of a restored relationship with YHWH. Judah will fall and become a vassal nation to Neo-Babylon, but the exiles who trust and obey will be restored (i.e. in their heart and one day to their land)! SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT, shalom)

Ezequiel 13:17-19

13:17 "set your face against" The VERB (BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE) is used here in the sense of "direct your intention against" (i.e. Ezek. 6:2; 14:8; 15:7; 21:2; 29:2; 35:2; Lev. 20:5; Jer. 21:10; 44:11). The face symbolized the person and thereby one's personal attention to someone or some thing. YHWH repeats His opposition to these false prophets (men and women) by using the phrase "prophesy against them" (BDB 612, KB 659, Niphal IMPERATIVE) at the end of Ezek. 13:17! ▣ "the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own inspiration" Apparently, along with the false prophets, there were false prophetesses (cf. Ezek. 13:23). Women active in God's service was/is not an unusual thing. However, as there are false prophets, there are also false prophetesses. SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE 13:18 "sew magic bands on all their wrists" This group is seen more like sorceresses (see note online at Deut. 18:10-11) than prophetesses. The word "magic band" (BDB 492) is found only here (vv. 18, 20) in the OT and has been interpreted several ways. as amulets as phylacteries (Origen's Hexapla; see SPECIAL TOPIC: PHYLACTERIES) as pillows (LXX, JPSOA, KJV) bands that bind another person's will (Akkadian root) The phrase "on all their wrists" is literally "all joints of the hands" (BDB 69 CONSTRUCT BDB 388). This seems to be similar to modern voodoo with its spells and incantations. SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC ▣ "make veils for the heads of persons of every stature" The NOUN "veils" (BDB 705) appears only here and in Ezek. 13:21 in the OT, possibly from Akkadian root, "to loosen." KB (607) calls it a robe of coarse material, while LXX has "scarf," or "head covering." Whatever these items were, they were attempts to control the destinies of people (both negatively as curses and positively as charms, cf. Ezek. 13:19). This is the essence of divination and the occult. It is an expression of egocentric, superstitious, fallen humanity! SPECIAL TOPIC: VEIL, SHAWL, COVERING SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION ▣ "but preserve the lives of others for yourselves" This shows that whatever their occultic practices were, they were done for self interest! These false prophets/prophetesses wanted to destroy some people and protect others, but not for the glory of YHWH rather for their own selfish, manipulative purposes! Religion can be self-deceptive, superstitious, and destructive! 13:19 "for a handful of barley and fragments of bread" It seems improbable that this refers to the payment that these false prophetesses will receive because it is so meager. However, this phrase is very ambiguous because of the rarity of the words "handful" (BDB 1043) and "fragments" (BDB 837). In Anatolia and later in Syria handfuls of barley and bread were used as a means of divination and this seems to be the possible historical allusion.

Ezequiel 13:20-23

13:20-21 YHWH will destroy these false spiritualists! He will free their deluded followers! ▣ NASB, REB "magic bands" "bands" "magic charms" "ribbons" TEV, NET "wristbands" "embroidered garments" "cushions" "pads" The MT has "band" or "fillet" (BDB 492). KB 491 suggests it is from an Akkadian root meaning "to bind one's hands" for magic purposes. This fits the context best. SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC ▣ "birds" The term (BDB 827 III) occurs twice. It is translated "birds" or "flying things" because of the context of "hunt" (BDB 844, KB 1010, Polel PARTICIPLE, twice). However, the term normally means "to break out" (BDB 827 II, like leprosy, cf. Lev. 13:39) "to bud" or "to sprout" (BDB 827 I, cf. Exod. 25:31-34; 37:17-20; Isa. 18:5) This passage is the only place in the OT that the translation "birds" is used. Because of the occultic context it may refer to giving people diseases by means of incantations! See the TEV translation, "I hate the wristbands that you use in your attempt to control life and death. I will rip them off your arms and set free the people that you were controlling." 13:21 "hands" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND 13:22 This verse assumes that the superstition or magic had some psychological effect! The VERBAL "disheartened" (BDB 456, KB 454, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is found only here in this form. Many (KB 454) have assumed it could be a Hiphil PERFECT of a similar root meaning "to cause pain."