Ezekiel 11:2

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Commentary on Ezekiel 11:2 (KJV)

Ezekiel 11:2 opens a profound segment of Ezekiel's prophetic vision, where God reveals the deep-seated corruption within Jerusalem's leadership. The prophet, addressed as "Son of man," is given divine insight into the true nature of the city's prominent figures. This verse highlights the spiritual decay that permeated the heart of Judah, leading directly to the impending judgment and Babylonian exile.

Context

This verse is situated within a series of visions granted to Ezekiel (chapters 8-11), where he is supernaturally transported from his exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. In these visions, God exposes the rampant idolatry, injustice, and moral depravity occurring even within the temple precincts. The "men" referred to here are likely the princes, elders, or influential leaders of Jerusalem who, instead of guiding the people in righteousness, were actively promoting wickedness. Their actions and advice were a direct affront to God's covenant with Israel and the warnings delivered by prophets like Jeremiah. This divine revelation to Ezekiel serves to justify the severe judgment about to befall the city, including the departure of God's glory from the temple.

Key Themes

  • Corrupt Leadership: The verse directly indicts the leaders of Jerusalem, identifying them as the source of moral and spiritual decay. Their position of influence was used for destructive purposes, leading the nation astray.
  • Intentional Wickedness: The phrase "devise mischief" suggests a deliberate and calculated planning of evil, indicating that their actions were not accidental but a conscious rebellion against God's law.
  • Harmful Counsel: "Give wicked counsel" underscores the powerful and damaging impact of their advice on the populace. Their words were instruments of sin, shaping the city's moral decline and contributing to its eventual downfall. This reflects the age-old struggle between wise and foolish counsel.
  • Divine Discernment: God reveals to Ezekiel the hidden motives and actions of these men, demonstrating His omniscience and His ability to see beyond outward appearances into the hearts of individuals.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "devise mischief" combines `ḥāšaḇ` (to think, plan, devise) with `rāʿâ` (evil, wickedness). This emphasizes that their evil was not impulsive but was thoughtfully plotted. Similarly, "wicked counsel" uses `yaʿaṣ` (to advise, counsel) with `rāʿâ`, highlighting the destructive nature of their guidance. These terms paint a picture of leaders who were not merely negligent but actively engaged in promoting and orchestrating evil, using their positions to corrupt rather than to lead toward righteousness.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 11:2 offers timeless lessons relevant to all generations. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  1. The Responsibility of Leadership: Those in positions of authority, whether in government, community, or religious institutions, bear a heavy responsibility. Their decisions and counsel have far-reaching consequences, influencing the morality and direction of those they lead.
  2. The Danger of Bad Advice: We are called to be discerning about the counsel we receive and give. Psalm 1:1 warns against walking in the counsel of the ungodly. This verse encourages believers to seek wisdom from God's Word and from those who honor Him.
  3. God's Awareness of Hidden Sin: Even when evil is devised in secret or cloaked in respected positions, God sees and knows all. This provides both a warning to those who scheme wickedly and comfort to those who suffer under corrupt systems, knowing that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 30:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 2:1 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 2:2 (4 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 5:5 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (1 votes)

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