Ezekiel 13:10

KJV

¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:

KJV (with Strong's)

Because, even because they have seduced {H2937} my people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Peace {H7965}; and there was no peace {H7965}; and one built up {H1129} a wall {H2434}, and, lo {H2009}, others daubed {H2902} it with untempered {H8602} morter:

Complete Jewish Bible

They deserve this, because they have led my people astray by saying there is peace when there is no peace. If someone builds a wall without mortar, they 'plaster' it with whitewash [to make it appear strong].

Berean Standard Bible

Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

American Standard Version

Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there is no peace; and when one buildeth up a wall, behold, they daub it with untempered mortar:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:10 delivers a severe divine indictment against the false prophets in ancient Judah who gravely misled God's people. These deceivers offered deceptive assurances of "peace" and security when, in reality, divine judgment was imminent due to the nation's profound idolatry and disobedience. The verse vividly portrays their spiritual malpractice through the imagery of building a flimsy "wall" of false hope, daubed with "untempered mortar," symbolizing the utter worthlessness and destructive nature of their divinely unauthorized messages that ultimately offered no true defense.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Ezekiel's broader prophetic ministry, specifically in a section (Ezekiel 13) dedicated to condemning false prophets and prophetesses active in Jerusalem and among the exiles. Leading up to this verse, Ezekiel has already established that these individuals speak "out of their own spirit" rather than from the Lord, emphasizing their lack of divine authorization, as seen in [Ezekiel 13:3](/ezekiel/13-3 "Ezekiel 13:3 - False Prophets Condemned"). The immediate context describes their pronouncements as "lying divinations" and "false visions," highlighting the deceptive nature of their messages (e.g., [Ezekiel 13:6-9](/ezekiel/13-6-9 "Ezekiel 13:6-9 - The Deception of False Prophets")). Verse 10 then provides the core accusation for God's impending judgment against them: their seduction of the people with false promises of peace and security, symbolized by a poorly constructed wall. The subsequent verses (e.g., [Ezekiel 13:11-16](/ezekiel/13-11-16 "Ezekiel 13:11-16 - God's Judgment on the False Wall")) detail the devastating consequences of this deception, as God vows to tear down their flimsy wall and expose their lies, revealing the true nature of their destructive counsel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC). He was among the exiles in Babylon, while many false prophets remained in Jerusalem, actively contradicting the true prophets like Jeremiah, who warned of impending destruction and called for repentance. The people, desperate for comfort and reassurance amidst national crisis and the threat of invasion, were highly susceptible to messages of peace and prosperity, even if those messages were contrary to God's revealed will. The imagery of "building a wall" and "daubing it with untempered mortar" would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience familiar with construction practices. Walls were essential for defense and security in cities, and a poorly constructed wall signified vulnerability and impending collapse. "Untempered mortar" (Hebrew: *tâphêl*), often a whitewash or a mixture lacking proper binding agents, was a superficial covering that gave the appearance of strength but offered no real structural integrity, serving as a fitting metaphor for the hollow and ultimately destructive promises of the false prophets.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Ezekiel 13](/ezekiel/13 "Ezekiel 13 - Condemnation of False Prophets") is the **danger of false prophecy** and its devastating impact on God's people. The false prophets offered a **deceptive peace** (Hebrew: *shalom*), promising wholeness, well-being, and safety when God's judgment was imminent due to the nation's persistent sin and idolatry. This directly contradicted God's true message of impending doom and the necessity of repentance, a theme also powerfully articulated in [Jeremiah 6:14](/jeremiah/6-14 "Jeremiah 6:14 - False Peace Proclaimed"). Another prominent theme is the **flimsy foundation of human deception** versus the **solid truth of God's word**. The "wall" built with "untempered mortar" symbolizes the worthless and ultimately destructive nature of counsel not rooted in divine truth. This imagery contrasts sharply with biblical calls to build one's life on a [solid foundation](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - Building on the Rock") of God's word and righteousness. Finally, the passage highlights God's **sovereign judgment** against those who mislead His people, underscoring His unwavering commitment to justice and truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seduced (Hebrew, _ṭâʻâh'_):** From the primitive root H2937, meaning "to wander; causatively to lead astray." This word emphasizes the active, deceptive nature of the false prophets' actions. They didn't merely err in judgment; they intentionally or negligently caused God's people to stray from the path of truth and obedience, leading them into spiritual and physical peril. It implies a deliberate enticement away from divine truth, resulting in spiritual wandering and moral deviation.
* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** From H7965, meaning "safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace." This is a rich Hebrew word encompassing wholeness, well-being, security, and completeness. The false prophets promised *shalom* in its fullest sense—a state of prosperity and safety—when God's people were, in fact, facing imminent judgment and destruction. The repetition "Peace; and there was no peace" powerfully highlights the stark contrast between the false promise and the grim, unacknowledged reality.
* **untempered (Hebrew, _tâphêl'_):** From H8602, meaning "plaster (as gummy) or slime; (figuratively) frivolity; foolish things, unsavoury." This term describes mortar or plaster that is improperly mixed, lacking the necessary binding agents to be strong and durable. It's superficial and provides no structural integrity. Applied to the prophets' messages, it signifies that their teachings lacked substance, truth, and divine authority, being merely a superficial covering over a crumbling reality, destined to fail under pressure and expose the underlying weakness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace;":** This initial clause states the primary offense: the false prophets deliberately led God's people astray from divine truth and obedience. Their method was to declare "Peace" (Hebrew: *shalom*), offering false assurances of well-being, security, and prosperity, despite the nation's profound sin. The immediate and emphatic contradiction, "and there was no peace," underscores the profound deception and the dangerous chasm between the false promise and the grim reality. Despite the prophets' comforting words, the reality was one of impending judgment, war, and exile due to the people's unrepentant sin, highlighting the perilous nature of choosing human comfort over divine truth.
* **"and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]:"** This second clause employs a vivid architectural metaphor to illustrate the nature of the false prophets' work. The "wall" represents a false sense of security, a deceptive defense against the impending divine judgment or Babylonian invasion. It could also symbolize the false theological framework or deceptive doctrines they constructed to reassure the people. The phrase "one built up a wall" suggests a foundational act of deception, perhaps by a leading false prophet or group. "And, lo, others daubed it with untempered [morter]" indicates that other false prophets or followers reinforced this deception, not with genuine strength, but with a superficial, ineffective covering. The "untempered mortar" (or whitewash) signifies that their messages lacked truth, divine authority, and spiritual substance, providing only a cosmetic facade over a structurally unsound reality, destined to crumble under the pressure of God's impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:10 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. The "wall" serves as a powerful metaphor for a false sense of security or a deceptive theological construct, while the "untempered mortar" symbolizes the flimsy, unsubstantial, and ultimately worthless nature of the false prophets' teachings. This imagery creates a vivid picture of superficiality masking profound weakness and impending collapse. The **Repetition** of "Peace; and there was no peace" is an example of **Antithesis** or **Juxtaposition**, starkly highlighting the contrast between the false promise and the grim reality of God's impending judgment. This rhetorical device emphasizes the severity of the deception and the tragic irony of the situation. The verse also employs a subtle form of **Personification** implicitly, as the "wall" and "mortar" are given agency in representing the prophets' deceptive work, almost as if they themselves are actively participating in the misleading of the people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:10 profoundly underscores the theological truth that God's people are vulnerable to spiritual deception, particularly when they crave comforting messages over challenging truths. The false prophets' proclamation of "peace" where there was none directly contradicts God's righteous judgment and the necessity of repentance. This highlights the divine demand for truthfulness in prophetic utterance and the severe consequences for those who corrupt it. The imagery of the flimsy wall built with untempered mortar serves as a timeless warning against any spiritual foundation or security not rooted in the unvarnished truth of God's Word. It emphasizes that superficial religious practices or comforting lies cannot withstand the scrutiny of divine judgment or the pressures of reality, ultimately leading to greater ruin.

* [Jeremiah 6:14](/jeremiah/6-14 "Jeremiah 6:14 - False Peace Proclaimed")
* [Lamentations 2:14](/lamentations/2-14 "Lamentations 2:14 - False Prophecies Exposed")
* [Matthew 7:26-27](/matthew/7-26-27 "Matthew 7:26-27 - The House Built on Sand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:10 serves as a powerful and enduring warning for believers in every age. It compels us to cultivate rigorous spiritual discernment, recognizing that not all messages, even those delivered in religious contexts, originate from God. We must constantly test what we hear against the unchanging truth of God's inspired Word, rather than simply embracing what sounds comforting or appealing. Are we building our lives and our faith on the solid rock of Christ's truth, or are we settling for superficial assurances and flimsy foundations that will inevitably crumble under the pressures of life or the scrutiny of divine judgment? This verse challenges us to embrace difficult truths, pursue genuine repentance, and seek authentic peace that comes only from reconciliation with God, rather than from human-made illusions of security. It calls us to examine the foundations of our hope and to ensure they are built on the unshakeable truth of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek "peace" or security from sources other than God's revealed truth?**
* **How can I better cultivate spiritual discernment to identify teachings or messages that might be "untempered mortar" in disguise?**
* **What does it truly mean to build my life on a "solid foundation" in Christ, and how does this contrast with the "flimsy wall" described in Ezekiel?**

### FAQ
**What is "untempered mortar" and why is it significant in this verse?**

Answer: "Untempered mortar" (Hebrew: *tâphêl*) refers to a plaster or mixture used in construction that is improperly prepared, lacking the necessary binding agents to be strong and durable. It's essentially a superficial whitewash or a weak, unsubstantial material that looks good on the surface but offers no structural integrity. In Ezekiel 13:10, its significance is profound: it symbolizes the false prophets' messages and assurances of peace and security. Just as untempered mortar cannot hold a wall together, their words lacked truth, divine authority, and spiritual substance. They provided a deceptive facade over a crumbling reality, giving the people a false sense of safety that would inevitably fail when God's judgment came. This imagery highlights the worthlessness and dangerous nature of their lies, which offered no real defense against the impending destruction. The warning is clear: building hope or security on such flimsy foundations is futile and perilous, contrasting sharply with the [solid foundation of God's truth](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Foundation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:10, with its stark portrayal of false prophets seducing God's people with promises of "peace" where there was none, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in Jesus Christ. The false prophets offered a superficial and ultimately destructive *shalom*, a human construct of security that could not withstand divine judgment. In contrast, Jesus is the true "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), who not only proclaims peace but *is* our peace ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). He does not offer a false sense of security based on human performance or deceptive assurances, but rather a profound, lasting peace that comes through reconciliation with God through His atoning sacrifice ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). While the false prophets built a flimsy "wall" with "untempered mortar"—a deceptive defense against impending doom—Christ is the "chief cornerstone" ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")) upon whom God's true spiritual temple is built. He is the solid, unshakeable foundation ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Foundation")) upon which believers can build their lives, knowing that His truth and promises will never crumble. Unlike the prophets who led God's people astray, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), leading them in truth and providing genuine, eternal security and true *shalom* that endures through all circumstances.

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

Ezekiel 13:16

[To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 22:28

And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Jeremiah 8:11

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

Jeremiah 6:14

They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.

2 Kings 21:9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

Jeremiah 14:13

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

Jeremiah 23:17

They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.