Ezekiel 11:2

KJV

Then said he unto me, Son of man, these [are] the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} he unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, these are the men {H582} that devise {H2803} mischief {H205}, and give {H3289} wicked {H7451} counsel {H6098} in this city {H5892}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to me, "Human being, these are the men who make evil plans and give wicked advice in this city.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked counsel in this city.

American Standard Version

And he said unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise iniquity, and that give wicked counsel in this city;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 11:2 unveils a stark divine indictment against the prominent leaders of Jerusalem, whom the Lord identifies to the prophet as the architects of spiritual corruption and the purveyors of destructive advice within the city. This verse exposes the deep-seated moral decay at the highest echelons of Judahite society, revealing that the impending judgment is a direct consequence of their deliberate wickedness and harmful influence, justifying God's righteous wrath and the coming Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of profound visions granted to Ezekiel, spanning chapters 8-11, where the prophet is supernaturally transported from his exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. These visions systematically expose the pervasive idolatry, injustice, and moral depravity that have infiltrated even the sacred precincts of the temple. Chapter 11 specifically details the departure of God's glory from the temple, a devastating sign of impending judgment. Verse 2 serves as a direct divine commentary on the identity and character of the individuals responsible for the abominations witnessed in the preceding chapters, particularly those described in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple"). The Lord's revelation to Ezekiel here provides the crucial justification for the severe judgment about to befall the city, linking the people's sin directly to their leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy (around 593-592 BC), Jerusalem was under significant political and military pressure from Babylon. The first wave of exiles, including Ezekiel, had already been taken to Babylon in 597 BC. However, Jerusalem itself was still standing, though its leaders were divided between those advocating submission to Babylon and those promoting rebellion, often based on a false sense of security derived from the temple's presence. The "men" referred to in this verse were likely the princes, elders, or influential political and religious leaders who remained in Jerusalem. Culturally, their role was to uphold the Mosaic covenant and guide the people in righteousness, but instead, they were actively promoting practices contrary to God's law, leading the nation further into apostasy and rebellion against God's sovereign will, as also condemned by contemporary prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Woe to Evil Shepherds").

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 11:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Corrupt Leadership**, directly indicting those in positions of authority who, instead of shepherding God's people, actively lead them astray. This verse emphasizes **Intentional Wickedness**, showing that the leaders' actions were not accidental but a calculated "devise[ing] mischief," indicating a conscious rebellion against God's covenant and commands. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Harmful Counsel**, illustrating the devastating impact of ungodly advice on a community, leading to moral decline and divine judgment. Finally, the verse powerfully demonstrates **Divine Discernment and Justice**, as God reveals to Ezekiel the hidden motives and actions of these men, affirming His omniscience and His righteous response to sin, particularly the sin of those entrusted with guiding His people, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment described in [Ezekiel 22](/ezekiel/22 "Ezekiel 22 - Jerusalem's Sins and God's Wrath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **devise (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** H2803, a primitive root meaning "to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute." In this context, it emphasizes the deliberate, calculated nature of their evil intentions. These men were not merely negligent; they were actively conceptualizing and planning wickedness.
* **mischief (Hebrew, _ʼâven'_):** H205, from an unused root perhaps meaning "to pant (hence, to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught); strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness." This term denotes not just general evil, but specifically that which is harmful, destructive, and ultimately futile. It implies a sense of moral emptiness and the production of trouble or affliction.
* **counsel (Hebrew, _ʻêtsâh'_):** H6098, from H3289 (yâʻats), meaning "advice; by implication, plan; also prudence." Here, it refers to the strategic guidance and recommendations given by these leaders. When combined with "wicked," it highlights how their influence, which should have been for the good of the city, was instead perverted to promote evil and lead the populace astray.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said he unto me, Son of man,"**: This opening phrase establishes the divine origin of the revelation. The speaker is God, addressing Ezekiel with His customary title, "Son of man" (H1121 _bên_ H120 _ʼâdâm_), which emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity and dependence on divine insight, setting him apart from the divine source of the message.
* **"these [are] the men that devise mischief,"**: God directly identifies the specific individuals responsible for the city's corruption. The term "men" (H582 _ʼĕnôwsh_) here often implies mortals in general, but in context, it points to prominent figures. The phrase "devise mischief" (H2803 _châshab_ H205 _ʼâven_) reveals the intentionality and premeditation behind their wicked actions. Their evil was not accidental or impulsive but carefully plotted and conceived.
* **"and give wicked counsel in this city:"**: This clause further elaborates on the nature of their wickedness, highlighting its practical manifestation. They not only plan evil but actively disseminate it through their advice and guidance. "Wicked counsel" (H7451 _raʻ_ H6098 _ʻêtsâh_) signifies that their recommendations were morally corrupt and detrimental to the well-being of Jerusalem (H5892 _ʻîyr_), leading the city further into sin and away from God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 11:2 employs several potent literary devices. **Divine Revelation** is central, as God directly unveils hidden truths to Ezekiel, emphasizing His omniscience and absolute authority to judge. This act of revelation serves as a **Prophetic Indictment**, a formal accusation leveled by God through His prophet against specific individuals. The language used, "devise mischief" and "give wicked counsel," is a form of **Parallelism**, where two phrases express similar ideas, reinforcing the deliberate and active nature of the leaders' corruption. The verse also contains **Irony**, as those who should have been guardians and guides for the city were instead its primary architects of ruin. This sets up a **Foreshadowing** of the inevitable judgment that will befall Jerusalem due to the very actions of these condemned leaders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 11:2 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, particularly concerning leadership. It reveals that God sees beyond outward appearances and titles, discerning the true intentions and destructive counsel of those in authority. The verse serves as a stark reminder that positions of power carry immense spiritual responsibility, and the abuse of such power for wicked ends incurs divine wrath. It highlights the pervasive nature of human sin, even among the seemingly righteous, and God's meticulous awareness of every act of rebellion, whether public or privately "devised." This divine discernment provides both a warning to those who scheme wickedly and a comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord.

* [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - The Importance of Wise Counsel")
* [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man's Path")
* [Jeremiah 23:1-2](/jeremiah/23-1 "Jeremiah 23:1-2 - Woe to Evil Shepherds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 11:2 speaks directly to the enduring challenge of leadership and the profound impact of counsel, both good and bad. It compels us to critically examine the sources of influence in our lives and communities, urging discernment regarding the advice we receive and the counsel we offer. The verse reminds us that true leadership, whether in the church, family, or society, is characterized by integrity, wisdom, and a commitment to God's righteous standards, not by self-serving schemes or destructive agendas. It calls us to be vigilant against the subtle and overt forms of "mischief" and "wicked counsel" that can permeate any system or relationship, recognizing that God sees and will hold accountable those who lead others astray. For believers, this means actively seeking and embodying godly wisdom, becoming sources of life-giving counsel that builds up rather than tears down, and always aligning our intentions and actions with the divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to receiving or giving "wicked counsel"?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment to recognize and reject advice that is not aligned with God's truth?**
* **If I am in a position of leadership, how does this verse challenge me to examine my motives and the impact of my decisions on others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to be a source of godly, life-giving counsel to those around me?**

### FAQ

**Who are "these men" referred to in Ezekiel 11:2?**

Answer: While not explicitly named, "these men" are understood to be the prominent leaders, princes, or elders remaining in Jerusalem at the time of Ezekiel's prophecy. They were individuals in positions of authority and influence who, instead of guiding the people according to God's law, were actively promoting idolatry, injustice, and rebellion against God's will. Their actions were a significant factor in Jerusalem's spiritual decay and impending judgment, as seen throughout [Ezekiel 8-11](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8-11 - Abominations and God's Departure").

**What does it mean to "devise mischief" and "give wicked counsel"?**

Answer: To "devise mischief" (Hebrew: _châshab âven_) implies a deliberate, premeditated plotting of evil. It's not accidental sin but a calculated scheme to do harm or promote unrighteousness. "Mischief" here refers to trouble, wickedness, or vanity. To "give wicked counsel" (Hebrew: _yâʻats raʻ_) means to offer advice or guidance that is morally corrupt, destructive, and contrary to God's commands. Together, these phrases paint a picture of leaders who were not merely negligent but actively using their intellect and influence to orchestrate and disseminate evil, leading the city further into sin and away from the path of righteousness, as warned against in [Proverbs 1:10-19](/proverbs/1-10 "Proverbs 1:10-19 - Warning Against Sinners").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 11:2, with its stark portrayal of corrupt human leadership and the devastating impact of wicked counsel, profoundly foreshadows the necessity of Christ as the ultimate, righteous King and Shepherd. The "men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel" stand in stark contrast to Jesus, who is the embodiment of perfect wisdom and truth. While the leaders of Jerusalem led their people to ruin through their perverse plans, Christ came not to devise mischief but to execute God's perfect plan of salvation, offering counsel that leads to eternal life ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, unlike the false shepherds who exploit and mislead ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The wickedness condemned in Ezekiel 11:2 finds its ultimate remedy in Christ's atoning sacrifice, which addresses the root of human depravity and offers redemption from the consequences of sin and wicked counsel. He is the "Wonderful Counselor" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Names of the Messiah")) whose wisdom and guidance are flawless, leading His followers into righteousness and eternal peace, fulfilling the true purpose of leadership that the Jerusalem princes so tragically failed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 30:1

¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Psalms 52:2

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Psalms 2:1

¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Psalms 2:2

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],

Jeremiah 5:5

I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, [and] the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, [and] burst the bonds.

Isaiah 59:4

None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Psalms 36:4

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.