“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’
English Standard Version (ESV)
These prophets didn't just get it wrong; they were speaking from their own "hearts," meaning their own thoughts, desires, and imaginations, not from divine revelation. The stinging command to "Hear the word of the LORD!" is a demand for them to finally listen to the true source of prophecy, which they had been ignoring for their own convenient messages.
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is commanded to denounce the "prophets" of Israel who are speaking their own comforting lies rather than God's truth. These false prophets claim to speak for the Lord, but their messages are actually born from their own desires and imaginations, offering false hope of peace and a quick return from exile. Ezekiel must confront them directly, demanding they listen to the true word of the Lord that he brings.
Imagine standing before a crowd, ready to speak God's truth. But what if the words you were about to say weren't God's at all, but your own?
The Danger of Self-Inspiration
Ezekiel is called to prophesy against a group of 'prophets' in Israel. The crucial phrase here is that they prophesy 'out of their own hearts.' This isn't just a poetic flourish; it's a serious accusation.
In a world filled with competing voices, how do we ensure we're tuned into the right frequency – God's frequency?
A Divine Mandate for Attention
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The core of Ezekiel's message to these self-inspired prophets is a stark command: 'Hear the word of the LORD!' This isn't a suggestion; it's a critical call to attention and obedience.
Understand the original words
ben ’ādām · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title used frequently for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and frailty in contrast to the majesty and holiness of the God who is commissioning him.
nābî’ · Hebrew Noun
One who speaks under the inspiration of God, acting as His spokesperson to declare His will, warn of judgment, or announce future events.
This prophecy against the false prophets in Ezekiel 13:2 comes during the crushing Babylonian exile. The people desperately wanted to believe that their disaster was temporary and that Jerusalem was safe, but these 'prophets' fed that desire with lies, not God's truth.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and takes Jehoiakim to Babylon, along with prominent citizens and treasures. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports Jehoiachin and another wave of exiles, including Ezekiel himself, to Babylon. This deepens the crisis for Judah.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed, and the remaining population is largely exiled to Babylon. This is the final catastrophe for the kingdom of Judah.
c. 593 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Call to Prophesy
Ezekiel receives his prophetic commission in Babylon, a time when Jerusalem's destruction is imminent or has recently occurred. He is called to deliver God's message to the exiles and to those still in Jerusalem.
c. 586-571 BC
Prophecies Against False Prophets
Ezekiel delivers numerous prophecies, including those in chapter 13, condemning the false prophets who offered misleading comfort and hope to the people, both in exile and in Jerusalem.
This passage directly addresses the issue of prophets prophesying falsely 'out of their own hearts' and being sent by human whim rather than divine command, mirroring Ezekiel's indictment.
Jeremiah 23:16Jeremiah warns against listening to these self-appointed prophets who speak visions from their own minds, reinforcing the theme of false prophecy originating from human desires, not God's word.
1 Kings 22:21-23This narrative shows a false spirit going out to deceive prophets, illustrating how human pronouncements, even if delivered with prophetic fervor, can be utterly contrary to God's true message when not from Him.
2 Peter 1:21In contrast to the prophets in Ezekiel, Peter highlights that true prophecy comes not from human will but from individuals moved by the Holy Spirit, underscoring the divine source of genuine prophecy.
2 Corinthians 11:13Paul warns about 'deceitful workers' who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, paralleling the false prophets in Ezekiel who mask their self-serving messages as divine truth.
cambridgeEzekiel 13:2: "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;"
2 . prophets of Israel that prophesy ] There seems a kind of sarcasm on “prophets of Israel,”—those whom Israel accepts and delights to regard as prophets ( Micah 2:11 ); and a similar sarcasm in “that prophesy.” They prophesied and that without limit: their mouths were always full of “thus saith the Lord” ( Ezekiel 13:6 )…
pulpitEzekiel 13:2: "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;"
Verses 2, 3. - Son of man, prophesy, etc. The sin of the men whom Ezekiel denounced was that they prophesied out of their own hearts (Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:16, 26), and followed their own spirit instead of the Spirit of Jehovah. All was human and of the earth. Not a single fact in the future, not a single eternal law…
These prophets didn't just get it wrong; they were speaking from their own "hearts," meaning their own thoughts, desires, and imaginations, not from divine revelation. The stinging command to "Hear the word of the LORD!" is a demand for them to finally listen to the true source of prophecy, which they had been ignoring for their own convenient messages.
Ezekiel is commanded to denounce the "prophets" of Israel who are speaking their own comforting lies rather than God's truth. These false prophets claim to speak for the Lord, but their messages are actually born from their own desires and imaginations, offering false hope of peace and a quick return from exile. Ezekiel must confront them directly, demanding they listen to the true word of the Lord that he brings.
Ezekiel is commanded to denounce the "prophets" of Israel who are speaking their own comforting lies rather than God's truth. These false prophets claim to speak for the Lord, but their messages are actually born from their own desires and imaginations, offering false hope of peace and a quick return from exile. Ezekiel must confront them directly, demanding they listen to the true word of the Lord that he brings.
"“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’" — These prophets didn't just get it wrong; they were speaking from their own "hearts," meaning their own thoughts, desires, and imaginations, not from divine revelation. The stinging command to "Hear t…
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Last reviewed October 2026