Ezekiel 13:13

KJV

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend [it] with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in [my] fury to consume [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; I will even rend {H1234} it with a stormy {H5591} wind {H7307} in my fury {H2534}; and there shall be an overflowing {H7857} shower {H1653} in mine anger {H639}, and great hailstones {H417}{H68} in my fury {H2534} to consume {H3617} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore Adonai ELOHIM says: "In my rage I will cause gale-force winds to break out, and in my anger there will come a cloudburst, with huge hailstones to consume it in fury.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury.

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my wrath; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:13 delivers a stark divine declaration of inevitable judgment against the false prophets of Israel, who had misled the people with deceptive messages of peace and security. Through vivid imagery of destructive natural forces—a stormy wind, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones—the Lord GOD affirms His sovereign intent to utterly dismantle the flimsy, deceptive wall of lies erected by these prophets, exposing their falsehood and bringing their false assurances to a complete and devastating end. This verse underscores the certainty and overwhelming power of God's wrath against spiritual deception and unrepentant sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 13:13 is situated within a sustained prophetic oracle (Ezekiel 13:1-23) specifically condemning the false prophets and prophetesses in Israel. Immediately preceding this verse, the Lord likens these deceivers to foolish builders who erect a flimsy wall and then "daub it with untempered mortar" ([Ezekiel 13:10](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10 - The Flimsy Wall of False Prophecy")). This metaphor powerfully illustrates the instability and unreliability of their prophecies, which offered false hope and prevented the people from seeking genuine repentance. Verse 13 directly follows God's declaration that He Himself will bring about the collapse of this deceptive structure, emphasizing the divine origin and overwhelming force of the impending judgment. The subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the utter destruction of their false works and the exposure of their lies, ensuring that "ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD" ([Ezekiel 13:14](/ezekiel/13-14 "Ezekiel 13:14 - God's Judgment Revealed")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile (c. 597-571 BC). The people, including those already exiled in Babylon and those remaining in Jerusalem, were desperate for hope and reassurance. This created fertile ground for false prophets who, often for personal gain or popularity, offered comforting messages of imminent peace and restoration, directly contradicting Jeremiah's warnings of prolonged exile and God's judgment. These false prophets operated within a culture where prophetic utterance held immense authority, making their deception particularly dangerous. Their "untempered mortar" likely refers to a weak, unstable plaster, culturally understood as inadequate for building, symbolizing their prophecies' lack of divine substance. The imagery of destructive weather phenomena, common in the ancient Near East, would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society dependent on predictable seasons, highlighting the catastrophic nature of God's intervention.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 13:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, portraying God as the active and sovereign agent of destruction against falsehood and rebellion. His use of overwhelming natural elements—stormy wind, overflowing shower, and great hailstones—underscores the certainty and severity of His wrath, which cannot be resisted. This judgment is specifically directed at **Spiritual Deception** and the false prophets who propagate it, emphasizing that God will not tolerate those who speak "peace, peace, when there was no peace" ([Ezekiel 13:10](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10 - False Peace and Deception")). The verse also highlights the theme of **God's Unstoppable Fury and Anger**, explicitly stating that these destructive forces are unleashed "in my fury" and "in mine anger," revealing the depth of His displeasure with those who exploit His name and mislead His people. Ultimately, this judgment serves to establish **God's Sovereignty and Holiness**, ensuring that "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" ([Ezekiel 13:9](/ezekiel/13-9 "Ezekiel 13:9 - Knowing the Lord GOD")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rend (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ_):** This primitive root signifies a forceful cleaving, tearing, or breaking apart. It implies a violent and complete separation or destruction, often from within. In this context, it emphasizes the divine power that will not merely damage but utterly split apart and dismantle the false structure of deception, leaving nothing intact. It conveys the idea of a decisive and irreversible act of demolition.
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this word denotes intense anger, wrath, or indignation, often with a sense of burning passion. Its repeated use in the verse ("in my fury," "in my fury") underscores the profound emotional intensity of God's displeasure with the false prophets. It is not a fleeting emotion but a settled, righteous indignation that fuels the destructive judgment.
* **consume (Hebrew, _kâlâh_):** This term means to complete, finish, or bring to an end, often with the implication of utter destruction or annihilation. It suggests that God's judgment will be exhaustive and absolute, leaving nothing of the false prophecies or the security they promised. The purpose of the destructive elements is not just damage, but total eradication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and certainty of the pronouncement. It signifies that the following words are not human conjecture but a direct, authoritative declaration from the sovereign God, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the impending judgment.
* **"I will even rend [it] with a stormy wind in my fury;":** God explicitly states His active role in the destruction. The "it" refers to the flimsy wall of false prophecy. A "stormy wind" (Hebrew: _ruach se'arah_) symbolizes a violent, irresistible force, a divine tempest that will tear apart the deceptive structure, driven by God's intense wrath.
* **"and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger,":** Following the destructive wind, an "overflowing shower" (Hebrew: _shâṭaph geshem_) represents a torrential, overwhelming flood of water. This imagery reinforces the idea of an inescapable, all-consuming judgment, driven by God's profound indignation, washing away any remaining remnants of the false security.
* **"and great hailstones in [my] fury to consume [it].":** The final element of judgment is "great hailstones" (Hebrew: _ʼelgâbîysh ʼeben_), which are large, destructive stones falling from the sky. This adds another layer of overwhelming force and precision to the judgment, ensuring the complete and utter destruction ("to consume") of the false wall and everything associated with it, again emphasizing the divine fury behind the action.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:13 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of divine judgment using powerful natural phenomena: "stormy wind," "overflowing shower," and "great hailstones." These are not merely descriptive but serve as **Symbols** of God's irresistible power and wrath. The cumulative effect of these elements creates a sense of overwhelming, inescapable destruction. The repeated phrase "in my fury" (or "in mine anger") is an example of **Repetition** (specifically, **Anaphora** if considering the structure of the divine decree), which emphasizes the intensity and unwavering nature of God's righteous indignation. Furthermore, the entire passage employs **Metaphor**, where the "wall" built by the false prophets (mentioned in preceding verses) is implicitly understood as their deceptive prophecies, and the natural elements are metaphors for God's active dismantling of that deception. This use of natural disaster imagery also functions as **Hyperbole** to convey the absolute certainty and devastating scale of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:13 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to truth and His fierce opposition to spiritual deception. It reveals a God who is not passive in the face of lies that mislead His people but actively intervenes with overwhelming power to expose and dismantle falsehood. This judgment is not arbitrary but flows from His holy character, demonstrating that His justice is as certain and powerful as the forces of nature He commands. The theological implication is that true security and peace can only be found in God's genuine word, not in the comforting but ultimately destructive lies of false prophets. This verse serves as a timeless warning against any message that offers an easy path or false assurance apart from genuine repentance and adherence to divine truth.

* [Jeremiah 23:16](/jeremiah/23-16 "Jeremiah 23:16 - Warning Against False Prophets")
* [Isaiah 28:17](/isaiah/28-17 "Isaiah 28:17 - Hail Sweeping Away Refuge")
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:13 stands as a potent reminder for believers today to cultivate profound discernment and anchor their faith firmly in the unshakeable truth of God's Word. In a world saturated with competing narratives and voices, it is crucial to test every teaching and prophecy against the clear revelation of Scripture, rather than being swayed by messages that promise comfort or prosperity without demanding repentance or holiness. This verse reassures us that God is actively engaged in upholding His truth and will ultimately expose and dismantle all forms of spiritual deception, no matter how appealing or pervasive they may seem. It calls us to trust in His perfect justice, even when falsehood appears to triumph, and to align our lives with His genuine will, which alone offers true and lasting security. Our peace is found not in avoiding judgment, but in embracing the truth that saves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "stormy wind," "overflowing shower," and "great hailstones" impact your understanding of God's character and His response to deception?**
* **In what areas of your life or in the broader spiritual landscape might you be susceptible to "untempered mortar"—messages or assurances that lack true divine substance?**
* **What practical steps can you take to sharpen your spiritual discernment and ensure your beliefs are built on the solid foundation of God's Word?**

### FAQ
**What is the "it" that God will rend and consume in Ezekiel 13:13?**

Answer: The "it" refers to the "wall" that the false prophets built and "daubed with untempered mortar," as described in the preceding verses ([Ezekiel 13:10-12](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10-12 - The Flimsy Wall of Deception")). This wall is a metaphor for the deceptive prophecies and false assurances of peace and security that the false prophets offered to the people of Israel. God's declaration means He will utterly dismantle and destroy these lies and the false hope they created, exposing the spiritual emptiness of such messages.

**Why does God use such destructive natural phenomena (wind, shower, hailstones) to describe His judgment?**

Answer: The use of "stormy wind," "overflowing shower," and "great hailstones" is powerful **Imagery** that symbolizes the overwhelming, irresistible, and comprehensive nature of God's judgment. These elements represent forces of nature that are beyond human control and can bring about complete devastation. By invoking them, God emphasizes that His judgment against deception is not merely a rebuke but an active, inescapable, and utterly destructive intervention that will leave nothing of the false prophecies intact. It highlights His sovereign control over creation to execute His righteous decrees, as seen in other biblical accounts of divine judgment, such as the plagues in [Exodus 9:18-26](/exodus/9-18 "Exodus 9:18-26 - The Plague of Hail").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:13, with its depiction of God's furious judgment against false prophets and their deceptive works, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament speaks of God's wrath against those who mislead His people, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the one who perfectly embodies divine truth and exposes all falsehood. He is the "true prophet" ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")) whose words are "spirit and life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Life")). All false prophecies and deceptive teachings, those "untempered walls" of human construction, are ultimately judged and dismantled by the unshakeable truth of Christ. His coming ushered in the ultimate revelation of God, rendering all human attempts to create their own paths to peace or security as futile. The judgment against false prophets in Ezekiel foreshadows Christ's own stern warnings against false teachers who would come in sheep's clothing ([Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")) and His righteous indignation against those who pervert the truth of God's kingdom. Ultimately, the "fury" and "anger" of God against sin and deception are fully satisfied and absorbed in the sacrificial death of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), allowing for a true and lasting peace to be offered to all who believe, a peace built not on human lies but on the solid rock of Christ's finished work ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")).

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 30:30

And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of [his] anger, and [with] the flame of a devouring fire, [with] scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

Revelation 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Psalms 148:8

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Psalms 18:12

At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.

Psalms 18:13

The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.

Leviticus 26:28

Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.