Ezekiel 13:2-3
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The phrase "prophesy out of their own hearts" isn't just about feeling something strongly; it points to prophets whose entire inspiration and message came from their own internal thoughts and desires, not from God's Spirit. This highlights how easily human wisdom and wishful thinking can masquerade as divine revelation, leading people astray with messages they want to hear rather than what God needs them to hear.
“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!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
English Standard Version (ESV)
God sends Ezekiel to confront the false prophets of Israel, who are speaking comforting lies to the people, not divine truth. These prophets claim to speak for God, but their messages are really just their own hopeful ideas, designed to please the crowds and avoid the harsh reality of judgment. Ezekiel is commanded to tell them, "Hear the word of the LORD!" as a stark contrast to their self-inspired pronouncements.
Imagine listening to a 'prophet' who only tells you what you want to hear. What if their words are not from God at all?
Ezekiel is called to speak against the 'prophets of Israel' who claim to speak for God but are actually speaking from their own desires and imaginations. These prophets weren't divinely inspired; their messages were born out of their own minds, hopes, and the desires of the people they were speaking to. They were essentially sharing 'wishful thinking' as divine revelation. This is a stark contrast to the true prophets, whose messages came directly from the Lord, even when those messages were difficult to hear.
In a sea of conflicting voices, how do we discern God's true message?
The repeated, urgent command in this passage is not just for the false prophets, but a call to all people: 'Hear the word of the LORD!' Ezekiel's message serves as a divine interruption, demanding attention to the authentic voice of God.
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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.
hôy · Hebrew Interjection
An exclamation of grief or coming judgment; it indicates divine disapproval and the certainty of impending calamity for those to whom it is pronounced.
nābāl · Hebrew Adjective
In a biblical context, one who lacks divine wisdom or moral discernment, often characterized by spiritual stubbornness and rejection of God’s truth.
Ezekiel is prophesying during the intense crisis of the Babylonian exile. The false prophets he confronts are misleading the people by offering hollow promises of peace and a quick return, directly contradicting the reality of God's judgment and the looming destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the scattering of the ten tribes. This event would have created widespread fear and a sense of impending doom for all of Israel.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar, a portion of Judah's elite, including the prophet Daniel, are deported to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, a period of severe judgment for disobedience.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
More Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, are exiled to Babylon. This deportation intensifies the sense of crisis and judgment.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport most of the remaining population. This is the final, devastating act of judgment on Judah.
This passage directly parallels Ezekiel's accusation, highlighting that false prophets speak lies and visions from their own minds, not from the Lord, leading the people astray.
Jeremiah 23:16Jeremiah also warns against prophets who speak "a false prophecy and divination, emptiness and the deceit of their own minds," underscoring the theme of self-generated messages masquerading as divine revelation.
2 Peter 1:20-21This New Testament passage contrasts true prophecy, which originates from God's moving by the Holy Spirit, with the self-serving messages of false prophets, directly addressing the source of prophecy.
1 John 4:1This verse provides a crucial test for any message claiming divine origin: whether the spirit behind it acknowledges Jesus Christ, helping us discern between true and false prophetic voices.
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…
The phrase "prophesy out of their own hearts" isn't just about feeling something strongly; it points to prophets whose entire inspiration and message came from their own internal thoughts and desires, not from God's Spirit. This highlights how easily human wisdom and wishful thinking can masquerade as divine revelation, leading people astray with messages they want to hear rather than what God needs them to hear.
God sends Ezekiel to confront the false prophets of Israel, who are speaking comforting lies to the people, not divine truth. These prophets claim to speak for God, but their messages are really just their own hopeful ideas, designed to please the crowds and avoid the harsh reality of judgment. Ezekiel is commanded to tell them, "Hear the word of the LORD!" as a stark contrast to their self-inspired pronouncements.
God sends Ezekiel to confront the false prophets of Israel, who are speaking comforting lies to the people, not divine truth. These prophets claim to speak for God, but their messages are really just their own hopeful ideas, designed to please the crowds and avoid the harsh reality of judgment. Ezekiel is commanded to tell them, "Hear the word of the LORD!" as a stark contrast to their self-inspired pronouncements.
"“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!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, a…" — The phrase "prophesy out of their own hearts" isn't just about feeling something strongly; it points to prophets whose entire inspiration and message came from their own internal thoughts and desires…
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Last reviewed October 2026
