Ezekiel 13:14

KJV

So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered [morter], and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

So will I break down {H2040} the wall {H7023} that ye have daubed {H2902} with untempered {H8602} morter, and bring {H5060} it down to the ground {H776}, so that the foundation {H3247} thereof shall be discovered {H1540}, and it shall fall {H5307}, and ye shall be consumed {H3615} in the midst {H8432} thereof: and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is how I will break down the wall you covered with whitewash - I will smash it to the ground, so that its foundation will be revealed. The wall will fall down, and you will be consumed with it. Then you will know that I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

I will tear down the wall you whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be uncovered; and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:14 delivers a powerful divine indictment against the false prophets of Israel, employing the vivid and damning metaphor of a shoddily constructed wall. Yahweh unequivocally declares His intent to dismantle this deceptive structure, which symbolizes the empty promises and false security propagated by these prophets. He vows to bring it crashing to the ground, exposing its weak foundation and ensuring that both the wall and those who trusted in it will be utterly consumed. This cataclysmic act of judgment serves a singular, profound purpose: to compel all to recognize His supreme authority and identity as the one true LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a sustained prophetic oracle in [Ezekiel 13](/ezekiel/13 "Ezekiel 13 - Condemnation of False Prophets"), where the prophet Ezekiel, a voice of unvarnished truth, systematically dismantles the credibility of the false prophets and prophetesses active in Judah. These individuals, driven by their own imaginations rather than divine inspiration, offered comforting but ultimately destructive messages of "peace" when God's judgment was imminent. The immediate preceding verses, particularly [Ezekiel 13:10-12](/ezekiel/13-10-12 "Ezekiel 13:10-12 - The Whitewashed Wall Analogy"), introduce the central metaphor: the false prophets are likened to builders who erect a flimsy wall and then "daub it with untempered mortar," creating a deceptive facade of strength and stability. Verse 14 is God's direct, resolute response to this spiritual fraud. It is His solemn promise to personally intervene and "break down" this illusory structure, thereby validating Ezekiel's true prophecies and exposing the utter emptiness of the false ones. This divine demolition is not merely punitive but revelatory, designed to clarify who truly speaks for God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel's ministry unfolded during the tumultuous period of the Babylonian exile, a time of profound national trauma and spiritual crisis for the people of Judah. Both those already deported to Babylon and those clinging to a precarious existence in Jerusalem desperately sought hope and reassurance. False prophets exploited this vulnerability, echoing popular sentiments with optimistic, yet baseless, assurances of a swift end to the exile or immunity from further divine wrath, much like their counterparts condemned by Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 6:14](/jeremiah/6-14 "Jeremiah 6:14 - False Prophets and Superficial Peace"). The imagery of constructing and plastering walls was deeply resonant in ancient Near Eastern societies, where walls provided essential protection, security, and a sense of permanence. The term "untempered mortar" (Hebrew: *tâphêl*) would have immediately conveyed a sense of worthlessness to Ezekiel's audience. This was a weak, inferior plaster, lacking proper binding agents, destined to crack and crumble under any significant pressure. This cultural understanding underscores the profound deception of the false prophets' messages, which offered no genuine defense against God's impending judgment, vividly described as a "great hailstones" and a "stormy wind" in [Ezekiel 13:11](/ezekiel/13-11 "Ezekiel 13:11 - God's Judgment on the Wall").
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theological framework of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel") is God's **unassailable holiness, absolute sovereignty, and righteous judgment**, particularly against the spiritual apostasy and rebellion of His people, which includes the grave sin of false prophecy. Ezekiel 13:14 powerfully articulates the theme of **divine judgment against deception**, illustrating God's unwavering resolve to expose and dismantle all falsehood that misleads His covenant people. It starkly highlights **the futility of false security**, demonstrating that human-made assurances built on lies and self-deception cannot withstand the scrutiny of God's truth. The verse also underscores the severe **consequences of both perpetrating and embracing spiritual deception**, as both the false prophets and those who trusted their lies will be "consumed." Crucially, the recurring declaration, "and ye shall know that I am the LORD," serves as a foundational theme throughout Ezekiel, emphasizing **God's self-revelation** through His acts of both judgment and restoration, thereby vindicating His unique identity, authority, and covenant faithfulness over all human affairs, as seen in passages like [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the LORD Through Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **break down (Hebrew, _hâraç'_):** This primitive root signifies to "pull down or in pieces, break, destroy." It conveys a sense of forceful, complete, and irreversible demolition. In [Ezekiel 13:14](/ezekiel/13-14 "Ezekiel 13:14 - God's Judgment on the False Wall"), it emphasizes God's active, intentional, and decisive intervention to utterly dismantle the deceptive structure built by the false prophets, leaving nothing of its false security intact. This is not a gradual erosion but a deliberate, destructive act of divine judgment.
* **untempered (Hebrew, _tâphêl'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to smear," this word describes plaster or slime that is "unsavory," "foolish," or "frivolous." It vividly portrays the flimsy, worthless, and deceptive nature of the false prophecies. They were merely a thin, superficial coating over a crumbling structure, offering no real protection, truth, or substance. This term highlights the superficiality and ultimate futility of the false prophets' messages, which were designed to please rather than to truly secure.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root is rich in meaning, encompassing "to ascertain by seeing," "to perceive," "to discern," and "to acknowledge." In the climactic phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD," it denotes a profound, experiential, and undeniable recognition of God's true identity, power, and sovereignty. This knowledge is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, transformative understanding forged through the crucible of His judgment, confirming His unique Lordship and exposing the impotence of all other claims to authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered [morter],"**: This opening declaration asserts God's direct and personal agency in judgment. The "wall" metaphorically represents the false sense of security, the deceptive messages, and the empty promises propagated by the false prophets. The "untempered mortar" vividly underscores the flimsy, worthless, and superficial nature of these prophecies—they were merely a cosmetic covering over a fundamentally unsound and dangerous structure, offering no true protection or truth. God's action is a deliberate, active demolition, not a passive observation of decay.
* **"and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered,"**: God's demolition is thorough and absolute, reducing the wall to rubble and exposing its very "foundation." This signifies that the underlying principles, sources, and inherent weaknesses of the false prophecies will be laid bare for all to see, revealing their inherent instability, their lack of divine origin, and their ultimate fraudulence. The exposure of the foundation means the complete discrediting, shaming, and public humiliation of those who built upon such lies.
* **"and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof:"**: The inevitable and devastating consequence of the wall's collapse is its "fall," leading directly to the "consumption" of those who either built it or foolishly relied upon it. This indicates a severe and inescapable judgment not only upon the false prophets themselves but also upon those who were deceived by their messages, emphasizing the destructive nature of spiritual deception and the perilous outcome of trusting in human falsehoods rather than divine truth.
* **"and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD."**: This climactic and oft-repeated declaration is a foundational motif throughout the book of Ezekiel. It signifies that the entire devastating process of judgment, while severe, serves a higher, redemptive theological purpose: to unequivocally reveal God's true identity, His absolute sovereignty, and His unassailable authority. Through His decisive actions, He will demonstrate beyond any doubt that He alone is Yahweh, the covenant-keeping, all-powerful God, and that His word, spoken through His true prophets, is ultimately vindicated and fulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:14 is rich in literary devices, primarily employing an extended **Metaphor** where the "wall" symbolizes the false assurances, deceptive prophecies, and illusory security offered by the unfaithful prophets. The "untempered mortar" further develops this metaphor, serving as potent **Symbolism** for the flimsy, superficial, and ultimately worthless nature of these lies. The acts of "breaking down" and "bringing it down to the ground" create powerful **Imagery** of divine judgment, complete destruction, and irreversible ruin. The exposure of the "foundation" is also deeply **Symbolic**, representing the revelation of the inherent rottenness, lack of truth, and absence of divine origin at the very core of the false messages. Finally, the concluding phrase, "and ye shall know that I am the LORD," is a characteristic declaration of **Divine Speech** found throughout Ezekiel, functioning as a theological **Refrain** that underscores God's ultimate purpose in both judgment and restoration: His self-revelation and the vindication of His holy name.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:14 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to truth and His active, uncompromising opposition to spiritual deception. It underscores the profound danger of false prophecy, not merely as an intellectual error, but as a destructive spiritual force that leads people away from God's true path and into utter ruin. The vivid metaphor of the "untempered mortar" highlights that superficiality, human-made comforts, and self-serving narratives, when presented as divine truth, are utterly incapable of providing genuine security or protection against God's righteous judgment. Ultimately, God's demolition of the false wall serves to reveal His own character as the sovereign LORD, who is holy and just, who will not tolerate falsehood, and whose Word alone is the unshakeable foundation for true life and security.

* [Jeremiah 23:16-17](/jeremiah/23-16-17 "Jeremiah 23:16-17 - False Prophets Promise Peace") - Parallels Ezekiel's condemnation of false prophets who speak from their own minds, promising peace when God has declared judgment.
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders") - Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders powerfully emphasizes the critical importance of building one's life on a solid, obedient foundation (His words) versus a flimsy, disobedient one.
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits") - Exhorts believers to "test the spirits" to discern between truth and falsehood, mirroring the timeless need for spiritual discernment in an age of competing voices.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:14 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for all generations, urging vigilance against spiritual deception and highlighting the profound dangers of building one's life or hope on false premises. In an age saturated with information, diverse voices, and a pervasive desire for comfort, the temptation to seek soothing lies over challenging truths remains powerfully potent. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep spiritual discernment, to critically evaluate teachings and promises, and to anchor our faith not in human assurances, popular narratives, or fleeting trends, but in the unshakeable, revealed truth of God's Word. It reminds us that true security, lasting peace, and genuine protection are found only in an authentic relationship with the sovereign LORD, whose character is revealed through His faithfulness to His word, whether in judgment or salvation. We are called to be builders of truth, not whitewashers of lies, ensuring that our lives, our hopes, and the messages we embrace are founded solely on Christ, the solid rock, who alone can withstand the storms of life and the scrutiny of divine judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "untempered mortar" might I be tempted to apply to difficult truths in my own life or in the contemporary church, seeking comfort over genuine transformation?**
* **How can I better discern between genuine prophetic voices (or sound biblical teaching) and those that offer false comfort, superficial solutions, or cater to popular desires?**
* **In what specific ways do I need to allow God to expose and "break down" any false foundations, deceptive assurances, or self-made securities I might be unknowingly relying on?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to "know that I am the LORD" in a profound, experiential way that impacts my daily decisions, my trust, and my ultimate allegiance?**

### FAQ
**What is the "untempered mortar" in this verse, and what does it symbolize?**

Answer: The "untempered mortar" (Hebrew: *tâphêl*) refers to a weak, inferior plaster or whitewash, typically made without proper binding agents like straw or lime, rendering it brittle and unstable. In [Ezekiel 13:14](/ezekiel/13-14 "Ezekiel 13:14 - God's Judgment on the False Wall"), it serves as a powerful and damning metaphor for the deceptive, worthless, and ultimately destructive prophecies of the false prophets in Israel. These prophets were essentially covering a crumbling, unstable "wall"—representing their false messages, empty promises, and the illusory security they offered—with a superficial coating to make it appear strong, finished, and trustworthy. This "mortar" provided no real structural integrity or protection against God's impending judgment, highlighting the utter futility and grave danger of relying on such human-made deceptions rather than on the solid truth of God's revealed word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:14, with its vivid imagery of a crumbling, whitewashed wall, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. The false prophets of Ezekiel's day built their flimsy walls on human wisdom, self-serving comfort, and popular sentiment, promising a false peace where there was none. This mirrors the religious leaders of Jesus' era, who were condemned for their hypocrisy, for laying heavy burdens on the people, and for offering a superficial righteousness that lacked true spiritual substance ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Jesus, however, is the true and unshakeable "foundation" upon whom God's people are to build their lives, a foundation that no storm can destroy ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Only Foundation")). He is the one who perfectly exposes all falsehood and deception, revealing the true nature of sin and the ultimate reality of God's kingdom. His coming brought not the false peace of the prophets, but a sword that divides, exposing the true condition of hearts and calling for radical repentance and allegiance to divine truth ([Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Brings Division")). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus broke down the ultimate "dividing wall of hostility" between God and humanity, and between Jew and Gentile, not with untempered mortar, but with His own perfect and atoning blood ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). He is the ultimate revelation of the LORD, through whom all who believe truly "know that I am the LORD" ([John 14:7](/john/14-7 "John 14:7 - Knowing the Father Through Jesus")), offering a secure, eternal dwelling place and an unshakeable hope for all who trust in Him ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham Looked for a City")).

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

Micah 1:6

Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, [and] as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.

Jeremiah 6:15

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Habakkuk 3:13

Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Ezekiel 13:9

And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 14:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

Ezekiel 13:21

Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:23

Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.