Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,
English Standard Version (ESV)
God contrasts His own actions with those of the false prophetesses. While He may grieve His people for their good, these women grieved the righteous with lies, intentionally causing distress that God had not ordained. Furthermore, their lies didn't just sadden the godly, they actively emboldened the wicked by falsely promising them life, preventing their repentance.
Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is confronting false prophetesses who are misleading God's people with comforting lies instead of truth. These women are giving false assurances of peace and prosperity, which on one hand, causes genuine believers to doubt God's word and feel sorrow, and on the other hand, emboldens the wicked to continue in their sinful ways, believing they are safe. God declares He will deliver His people from these deceivers.
Why would false prophets deliberately make good people sad? And how does their sorrow differ from sorrow God brings?
Ezekiel confronts prophetesses whose lies caused deep sorrow among God's people. Notice the contrast: 'you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him.'
God's Sorrow: A Tool for Healing
God's sorrow, when it comes, is never malicious. It's meant to draw us back to Him, to expose sin, and to ultimately lead to healing and repentance. True prophets, guided by God, might bring sorrow, but it's a sorrow 'unto salvation' (2 Corinthians 7:10), a necessary pain for growth.
False Prophets' Sorrow: A Weapon of Control
These false prophetesses, however, inflicted sorrow through lies and fear. Their aim wasn't spiritual health, but perhaps to maintain their influence, to scare people into following their false pronouncements, or simply to inflict pain. It was a manipulation, a counterfeit grief that didn't align with God's heart.
How can comforting words actually make someone more wicked? This verse reveals a dangerous spiritual dynamic.
The prophetesses didn't just grieve the righteous; they also 'strengthened the hands of the wicked.' This is a profound paradox. They encouraged the ungodly, telling them they were fine, that they would live, effectively promising them a false sense of security.
The Danger of False Assurance
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By assuring the wicked that they didn't need to change – that they could 'not return from his evil way' and still 'save his life' – these prophetesses actively hindered repentance. They essentially told people their sin was acceptable and that God’s judgment wouldn't touch them. This is incredibly dangerous, as it hardens the heart and prevents the turning towards God that leads to true life.
True Ministry Leads to Change
Contrast this with genuine ministry, which confronts sin and calls for repentance. While this might be painful initially (grieving the righteous), it ultimately leads to life and freedom. False ministry, however, offers a deceptive 'peace' that keeps people bound to their sin, strengthening their resolve to continue in their destructive path.
Understand the original words
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
One who is morally upright, walking in obedience to God's law and seeking to live in accordance with His will. They are defined by their relationship with God and their conduct.
ka'ab · Hebrew Verb
To cause someone to suffer deep emotional pain, sorrow, or distress. In the biblical sense, God grieves over sin but does not afflict the righteous without cause or purpose.
rasha · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are morally corrupt, rebellious against God, and reject His ways. The wicked are characterized by their refusal to repent and their persistent pursuit of evil.
shub · Hebrew Verb
A fundamental biblical concept involving a change of mind and direction, turning away from sin and toward God. It is the necessary prerequisite for receiving divine mercy and salvation.
Ezekiel's message in this verse comes during the Babylonian exile, a time of profound national trauma. He confronts false prophetesses in Jerusalem who were misleading people with false hopes of peace and safety, even as judgment was imminent or had already begun. This contrast between divine truth and deceptive comfort is central to his prophetic mission.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalemites
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and deports some of the Judean nobility, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile for Judah.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation of Jerusalemites
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon following a rebellion. This event intensifies the sense of crisis and loss among the exiles.
c. 587-586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, culminating the Babylonian conquest and leading to a final, large-scale deportation of the remaining population.
c. 593-571 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Prophetic Ministry in Babylon
During the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel delivers prophecies to the exiles, condemning the unfaithfulness of Judah and offering messages of judgment and future restoration. This verse is part of his broader message against false prophets.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's condemnation, highlighting how false prophets strengthen the wicked through their lies and actions, preventing them from turning from their evil.
Jeremiah 23:16-17It shows a similar pattern of false prophets speaking words from their own imagination, offering deceptive visions of peace and prosperity that lead people astray, much like the prophetesses in Ezekiel.
2 Corinthians 7:8This verse provides a contrast by explaining the purpose of godly sorrow, showing that true prophets, like Paul, can cause grief, but it's a salutary grief that leads to repentance, unlike the harmful sorrow inflicted by false prophets.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, a fitting parallel to how these prophetesses appeared harmless but brought spiritual destruction by their deceptive messages.
calvinEzekiel 13:22-23: "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:"
Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
Quia contristastis cor justi mendacio, [29] et ego non contristavera…
cambridgeEzekiel 13:22: "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:"
22 . heart of the righteous sad ] Or, discourage the heart of the righteous—opposed to “strengthen the hands” of the wicked. The word rendered “made sad” or pained in the end of the clause might have been expected. by promising him life ] Rather: and be saved alive ; lit. so as to…
God contrasts His own actions with those of the false prophetesses. While He may grieve His people for their good, these women grieved the righteous with lies, intentionally causing distress that God had not ordained. Furthermore, their lies didn't just sadden the godly, they actively emboldened the wicked by falsely promising them life, preventing their repentance.
Ezekiel is confronting false prophetesses who are misleading God's people with comforting lies instead of truth. These women are giving false assurances of peace and prosperity, which on one hand, causes genuine believers to doubt God's word and feel sorrow, and on the other hand, emboldens the wicked to continue in their sinful ways, believing they are safe. God declares He will deliver His people from these deceivers.
Ezekiel is confronting false prophetesses who are misleading God's people with comforting lies instead of truth. These women are giving false assurances of peace and prosperity, which on one hand, causes genuine believers to doubt God's word and feel sorrow, and on the other hand, emboldens the wicked to continue in their sinful ways, believing they are safe. God declares He will deliver His people from these deceivers.
"Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life," — God contrasts His own actions with those of the false prophetesses. While He may grieve His people for their good, these women grieved the righteous with lies, intentionally causing distress that G…
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Last reviewed October 2026