Ezekiel 13:2-3
“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)
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These prophets, accepted by Israel, are condemned not just for false messages but for their source: "their own hearts." This means their prophecies stemmed from human desires and cleverness, not divine revelation, completely missing the mark of true prophetic inspiration.
Ezekiel is commanded to speak out against Israel's prophets, who are falsely claiming to speak for God and are essentially deceiving the people. These false prophets are prophesying from their own desires and imaginations, not from divine revelation, often promising peace and security when God's judgment is imminent. This message is a direct confrontation, demanding that these self-appointed prophets listen to the true word of the LORD.
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's message comes at a time of deep national crisis, following successive deportations to Babylon. The false prophets he confronts offer soothing lies, promising peace and restoration that God has not ordained, directly contradicting the grim reality faced by the exiles.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its people. This event profoundly impacted Judah, creating a sense of vulnerability and fear of a similar fate.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Death
King Josiah institutes religious reforms based on the Book of the Law, but his death in battle against the Egyptians marks a turning point toward political instability and spiritual decline in Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah, exiling members of the royal family and elite, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. This event intensifies the crisis and the need for prophetic discernment.
This passage directly addresses prophets who prophesy lies from their own hearts, a theme mirrored in Ezekiel's accusation against the prophets of Israel.
Jeremiah 23:16Here, Jeremiah warns against listening to prophets who speak visions of their own imagination and not from the mouth of the Lord, highlighting the deception of self-inspired prophecy.
2 Peter 1:21This verse contrasts true prophecy, which comes from divine inspiration (the Holy Spirit), with the false prophecies Ezekiel condemns, which originate from human hearts.
1 John 4:1This passage instructs believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God, directly relevant to Ezekiel's task of exposing prophets whose messages were not from the LORD but from their own hearts.
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, accepted by Israel, are condemned not just for false messages but for their source: "their own hearts." This means their prophecies stemmed from human desires and cleverness, not divine revelation, completely missing the mark of true prophetic inspiration.
Ezekiel is commanded to speak out against Israel's prophets, who are falsely claiming to speak for God and are essentially deceiving the people. These false prophets are prophesying from their own desires and imaginations, not from divine revelation, often promising peace and security when God's judgment is imminent. This message is a direct confrontation, demanding that these self-appointed prophets listen to the true word of the LORD.
"“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…" — These prophets, accepted by Israel, are condemned not just for false messages but for their source: "their own hearts." This means their prophecies stemmed from human desires and cleverness, not divi…
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586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to a massive final deportation of the population to Babylon. This is the devastating climax of the period.
