Ezekiel 13:15

KJV

Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it;

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus will I accomplish {H3615} my wrath {H2534} upon the wall {H7023}, and upon them that have daubed {H2902} it with untempered {H8602} morter, and will say {H559} unto you, The wall {H7023} is no more, neither they that daubed {H2902} it;

Complete Jewish Bible

In this way I will spend my fury on the wall and on those who covered it with whitewash; and I will say to you, 'The wall is gone, and so are those who "plastered" it,'

Berean Standard Bible

And after I have vented My wrath against the wall and against those who whitewashed it, I will say to you: ‘The wall is gone, and so are those who whitewashed it—

American Standard Version

Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar; and I will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:15 delivers a severe divine pronouncement against the false prophets of Judah and their deceptive messages, using the powerful metaphor of a collapsing wall. It declares God's determined resolve to fully execute His wrath, utterly destroying both the flimsy, misleading prophecies (the "wall" built with "untempered mortar") and the false prophets who propagated them. This verse signifies the complete exposure and eradication of all false security and spiritual deception, leaving no trace of the lies or the liars in the face of God's righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic declaration within a sustained oracle against false prophets in [Ezekiel chapter 13](/ezekiel/13 "Ezekiel 13 - Denunciation of False Prophets"). Beginning in [Ezekiel 13:1](/ezekiel/13-1 "Ezekiel 13:1 - Prophecy Against False Prophets"), the Lord denounces those who "follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing" ([Ezekiel 13:3](/ezekiel/13-3 "Ezekiel 13:3 - False Prophets Denounced")). The core metaphor, introduced in [Ezekiel 13:10](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10 - The Untempered Mortar Metaphor"), describes these prophets as builders constructing a weak, unstable wall and then covering it with "untempered mortar" (or whitewash) to give a false appearance of strength and security. This deceptive covering symbolized their false prophecies of peace and safety to a people facing imminent divine judgment. Verse 15 is the definitive statement that God's wrath will dismantle this deceptive facade, revealing its true fragility and destroying both the lie and the liars, fulfilling the judgments threatened in earlier verses like [Ezekiel 13:11-14](/ezekiel/13-11 "Ezekiel 13:11-14 - God's Judgment on the Wall").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, primarily from Babylon, where he was exiled following the first deportation in 597 BC. The people remaining in Jerusalem, as well as some exiles, were desperate for hope and reassurance. This created fertile ground for "prophets" who would speak comforting words of peace and safety, even if those words contradicted God's true message of impending judgment and exile. These false prophets often mimicked true prophetic forms but lacked divine inspiration, offering superficial solutions to deep spiritual problems. Culturally, walls were essential for protection and security in ancient cities, and the quality of their construction was paramount. "Untempered mortar" (or plaster/whitewash) was a cheap, ineffective material used to superficially cover cracks or defects, offering no structural integrity. This imagery would have been immediately understood by Ezekiel's audience as a symbol of deceptive, unreliable promises that would fail when truly tested, much like a poorly built wall would collapse under pressure or adverse weather.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, emphasizing God's active and righteous indignation against sin, particularly the sin of spiritual deception. God is not passive but will "accomplish" His wrath decisively. Secondly, it highlights the stark contrast between **Truth and Falsehood**, revealing that God's truth will ultimately prevail, and all deceptive messages, no matter how comforting, will be exposed and destroyed. The collapse of the wall symbolizes the utter futility of relying on anything other than God's genuine word. Thirdly, the verse addresses **Accountability for Spiritual Leaders**, demonstrating that those who mislead God's people will face severe consequences. The judgment falls not only on the false message ("the wall") but also directly on "them that have daubed it," underscoring the personal responsibility of those who claim to speak for God but do so falsely. This theme resonates with other prophetic warnings against false prophets found in books like [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Prophecy Against False Prophets").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **accomplish (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This primitive root signifies to "end," "cease," "finish," or "complete." In this context, it emphasizes God's sovereign determination and the certainty of His action. He will not merely threaten or begin His wrath; He will bring it to a decisive and irreversible conclusion. It denotes the full execution of His purpose, leaving nothing undone.
* **wrath (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this term denotes intense anger, fury, or indignation. It is not an uncontrolled outburst but a righteous, fervent displeasure against sin and rebellion. Here, it signifies the severity and consuming nature of God's judgment against the deceptive practices of the false prophets and the false security they offered.
* **daubed (Hebrew, _ṭûwach'_):** This primitive root means "to smear," "overlay," or "plaster." It implies a superficial application, often with lime or plaster, to cover or conceal. In the context of the wall, it highlights the act of superficially covering defects rather than genuinely repairing or strengthening the structure. It perfectly symbolizes the false prophets' attempts to mask the spiritual decay and impending judgment with empty promises.
* **untempered (Hebrew, _tâphêl'_):** From an unused root meaning "to smear," this word literally refers to plaster or slime that is "unsavory," "unseasoned," or "foolish." It describes a poor-quality, unstable, and ineffective material. When applied to the prophets' messages, it signifies their baseless, foolish, and ultimately worthless nature, offering no true stability or defense against God's impending judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall,"**: This opening clause asserts God's active and intentional execution of His judgment. The "wall" metaphorically represents the false prophecies and the deceptive sense of security they fostered among the people. God declares that He will bring His intense, righteous anger to a complete fulfillment directly upon these fabricated assurances.
* **"and upon them that have daubed it with untempered [morter],"**: The divine wrath is not limited to the false message itself but extends directly to the perpetrators. "Them that have daubed it" refers to the false prophets who superficially covered the cracks of Judah's sin and impending doom with their worthless, "untempered" (meaning foolish, unstable) promises of peace. This highlights God's justice in holding accountable those who mislead His people.
* **"and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more],"**: This signifies the utter and undeniable destruction of the false security. When God's judgment falls, the deceptive "wall" of false prophecies will be completely demolished, revealing its inherent weakness and leaving no illusion of safety or stability. This is a definitive pronouncement of irreversible ruin.
* **"neither they that daubed it;"**: This final clause underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Not only will the false message be eradicated, but the false messengers themselves will also be removed from their position of influence and authority. Their deception will cease, and their presence as spiritual guides will be utterly terminated, emphasizing the complete and devastating consequences of their falsehood.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:15 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the "wall" represents the false prophecies and the deceptive security they offered, while the "untempered mortar" symbolizes the worthless, unstable nature of these empty promises. This extended metaphor, developed throughout [Ezekiel chapter 13](/ezekiel/13 "Ezekiel 13 - Prophecy Against False Prophets"), vividly portrays the fragility and ultimate collapse of human-made assurances in the face of divine truth. There is also clear **Divine Oracle** or **Pronouncement**, indicated by the opening "Thus will I accomplish," which signals God's direct, authoritative speech, underscoring the certainty and inevitability of the judgment. The verse employs **Parallelism** in its concluding statement, "The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it," creating a balanced structure that emphasizes the simultaneous and complete destruction of both the false message and the false messengers. This parallelism highlights the comprehensive nature of God's wrath. Finally, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the very act of attempting to conceal weakness with a superficial covering ultimately leads to a more spectacular and undeniable exposure and destruction when God's judgment arrives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:15 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to truth and justice. It underscores that God is not mocked; His righteous wrath will inevitably fall upon all forms of spiritual deception, whether it be the false messages themselves or the individuals who propagate them. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for those who mislead God's people, emphasizing divine accountability for spiritual leaders. It also highlights God's sovereign power to dismantle all humanly constructed illusions of security, revealing that true peace and safety can only be found in His authentic word and His unfailing character, not in comforting lies. The destruction of the "wall" signifies the triumph of divine reality over human delusion.

* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets Speak Lies"): "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds."
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Warning Against False Prophets"): "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers Among You"): "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:15 stands as a timeless and urgent call for spiritual discernment in every generation. In a world saturated with information and competing voices, believers are constantly challenged to distinguish between genuine truth and comforting falsehoods. This verse compels us to critically evaluate all teachings and prophecies, not by their appeal or emotional comfort, but by their alignment with the unchanging truth of God's revealed Word. It warns against the seductive danger of seeking easy answers or superficial assurances that bypass genuine repentance and obedience. We are reminded that building our lives on anything less than the solid foundation of God's truth will inevitably lead to collapse when the storms of life or divine judgment arrive. Therefore, we must cultivate a deep familiarity with Scripture, pray for wisdom, and seek guidance from trustworthy spiritual leaders who faithfully proclaim the whole counsel of God, rather than "daubing" over uncomfortable truths with "untempered mortar."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "untempered mortar" might I be tempted to apply to difficult truths in my own life or in the church today?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize false teachings and deceptive messages in contemporary society?**
* **In what ways might I be seeking comfort in superficial assurances rather than genuinely confronting sin and embracing God's complete truth?**

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

Answer: In Ezekiel 13:15, "untempered mortar" (Hebrew: _tâphêl_) refers to a poor-quality, unstable plaster or whitewash, literally meaning "unsavory" or "foolish." It's significant because it symbolizes the deceptive and worthless nature of the false prophets' messages. Instead of addressing the deep spiritual cracks and impending judgment facing Judah, these prophets offered superficial promises of peace and safety. Just as weak mortar fails to provide structural integrity to a wall, their empty words offered no genuine security or hope, merely covering up the truth with a flimsy, ultimately destructive facade. This imagery highlights that their prophecies were not divinely inspired but were foolish, baseless, and destined to fail when tested by God's righteous judgment, as detailed in [Ezekiel 13:10-14](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10-14 - The Collapse of the Untempered Wall").

**Who are "they that have daubed it," and what is their fate?**

Answer: "They that have daubed it" refers to the false prophets of Judah who were delivering their own fabricated messages of peace and safety, rather than God's true word of judgment and repentance. They are the ones who applied the "untempered mortar" of deceit over the "wall" of the people's false security. Their fate, as declared in Ezekiel 13:15, is complete destruction alongside the false messages they propagated. God states, "The wall [is] no [more], neither they that daubed it." This signifies that their influence, their deceptive prophecies, and their very standing as spiritual leaders will be utterly eradicated. God's judgment holds them fully accountable for misleading His people and offering false hope, a theme consistently found in prophetic warnings against false teachers, such as those in [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Prophecy Against False Prophets") and [2 Peter 2](/2_peter/2 "2 Peter 2 - False Teachers and Their Destruction").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:15, with its stark portrayal of the collapse of false foundations and the judgment of deceptive prophets, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the **Truth Incarnate** ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life")), the one who perfectly embodies and reveals God's authentic word, in stark contrast to the "untempered mortar" of human lies. Unlike the false prophets who built on sand, Jesus declared Himself the **Solid Foundation** upon which all true life and faith must be built ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Foundation")). His parable of the wise and foolish builders in [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders") directly echoes the imagery of a collapsing structure, emphasizing that only those who hear and obey His words will stand firm against life's storms and ultimate judgment. Furthermore, Jesus, as the true Prophet, consistently exposed the hypocrisy and falsehood of the religious leaders of His day, dismantling their deceptive "walls" of self-righteousness and legalism, as seen in His woes against the scribes and Pharisees in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Ultimately, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross absorbed the full wrath of God against sin, including the sin of deception, for all who believe ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His Blood")). He is the one who will, at His return, fully "accomplish" God's righteous judgment, utterly destroying all falsehood and establishing His eternal kingdom built on unshakeable truth, where there will be no more deception or those who "daub" with untempered mortar ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Nothing Impure Will Enter")).

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

Nehemiah 4:3

Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

Psalms 62:3

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence.

Isaiah 30:13

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.