Ezekiel 13:6-7
They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word. Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, ‘Declares the LORD,’ although I have not spoken?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The most striking part here isn't just that they lied, but that they expected their lies to come true. They weren't just deceiving others; they had deceived themselves into hoping their false visions would be confirmed by reality. This shows how a person can become so lost in their own deception that they genuinely anticipate God backing up their untruths.
Ever heard someone say, 'God told me...'? What happens when that voice isn't from God at all? Ezekiel confronts prophets who misuse divine authority.
The Bold Lie
These prophets boldly declared, 'The LORD says...' (Ezekiel 13:6). This wasn't just a casual statement; it was a direct invocation of God's authority. In the ancient world, claiming God's name meant claiming His power and His truth. True prophets were sent by God, carrying His message with His authority.
The Crucial Distinction
But here's the critical problem: 'the LORD has not sent them.' They were speaking words they thought God might say, or words that served their own purposes, but they lacked divine authorization. This is more than just being mistaken; it's a fundamental disconnect from God's actual will and word. Their prophecies were born of 'vanity' and 'lying divination' – empty dreams and false predictions conjured from their own minds, not revealed by the Creator.
The Self-Deception Trap
Interestingly, the text suggests these false prophets often deceived themselves. While they claimed God's authority, they likely hoped their words would come true. This isn't always about malicious intent; sometimes, people get so caught up in their own pronouncements or desires that they begin to believe their own hype, mistaking wishful thinking for divine revelation.
False messages can sound comforting, leading people to believe things that will never happen. What is the real danger of a comforting lie?
False Assurance
The false prophets didn't just speak; they created a false sense of security. The verse says they 'expect him to fulfill their word,' and by extension, they made others 'hope that they would confirm the word.' They presented a vision of peace and prosperity, essentially telling people, 'Everything is fine, God is with you, you are safe.'
Understand the original words
chazah · Hebrew Noun
A subjective mental experience or revelation claimed to come from a divine source; in a biblical context, it often refers to a message received from God through supernatural means. False visions refer to claims of divine revelation that are not from God.
qesem · Hebrew Noun
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, often through prohibited occult methods; in the Bible, it is strictly forbidden for God's people as a substitute for divine revelation.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A title for the Creator and Covenant-keeper of Israel, derived from the name revealed to Moses (YHWH). It signifies His eternal existence, faithfulness, and absolute authority over all creation.
Ezekiel's message directly confronts false prophets who offered comfort during a time of profound national crisis and exile, highlighting the dangerous deception of promising peace when God intended judgment.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leading to the loss of distinct national identity for many.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar conquer Jerusalem and deport King Jehoiachin and thousands of Jewish leaders, craftsmen, and soldiers to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, deporting most of the remaining population to Babylon. Only a small remnant remains in Judah.
c. 593 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Call to Prophecy
Ezekiel, a priest exiled in Babylon, receives his prophetic call from God, commanding him to speak to the exiles and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
cambridgeEzekiel 13:6: "They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word."
6, 7 . Their prophecies are false: they are self-deceived 6 . have made others to hope ] Rather: they have hoped for the confirmation of the word. The usual sense of the verb is to “hope;” only in a single passage ( Psalm 119:49 ) does it appear to mean to “cause to hope.” The false prophets looked for the confir…
barnesEzekiel 13:6: "They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word."
And they have made others ... - Rather, "and they hope for the confirmation of their word." They come to believe their own lies.
The most striking part here isn't just that they lied, but that they expected their lies to come true. They weren't just deceiving others; they had deceived themselves into hoping their false visions would be confirmed by reality. This shows how a person can become so lost in their own deception that they genuinely anticipate God backing up their untruths.
The most striking part here isn't just that they lied, but that they expected their lies to come true. They weren't just deceiving others; they had deceived themselves into hoping their false visions would be confirmed by reality. This shows how a person can become so lost in their own deception that they genuinely anticipate God backing up their untruths.
Ezekiel 13:6-7 touches on False prophecy claim, Deception and self-deception, Unsent divine pronouncements. See the full context above.
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The Consequences of Deception
This is incredibly dangerous. Instead of calling people to repentance and genuine faith, these false prophecies hardened hearts and led people away from God's true path. They offered a comforting illusion that prevented people from facing their sin and seeking God's true forgiveness and deliverance. It's like building a house on sand – it might look stable for a while, but when the storm comes, it collapses completely.
God's Opposition
Because these prophets led God's people astray with lies, God declared Himself against them. Their words were not just inaccurate; they were actively destructive, leading people away from God's protection and into His judgment. God cannot bless or affirm messages that don't originate from Him.
586 BC - 570 BC
Prophecies to the Exiles and Jerusalem
Ezekiel delivers a series of powerful prophecies, denouncing sin, proclaiming God's judgment on Judah and surrounding nations, and offering hope for future restoration.
"They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word. Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever yo…" — The most striking part here isn't just that they lied, but that they expected their lies to come true. They weren't just deceiving others; they had deceived themselves into hoping their false visio…
