Ezekiel 13:15

Translation
King James Version
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;
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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;
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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,'
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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—
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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;
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World English Bible Messianic
Thus will I accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash; and I will tell you, The wall is no more, neither those who plastered it;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Thus will I accomplish my wrath vpon the wall, and vpon them that haue daubed it with vntempered morter, and will say vnto you, The wall is no more, neither the daubers thereof,
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Young's Literal Translation
And I have completed My wrath on the wall, And on those daubing it with chalk, And I say to you: The wall is not, And those daubing it are not;
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See also
Nehemiah 4:3Psalms 62:3Isaiah 30:13
In the KJVVerse 20,724 of 31,102

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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, consuming judgment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is the climactic declaration within a sustained oracle against false prophets in Ezekiel chapter 13. Beginning in Ezekiel 13:1, the Lord denounces those who "follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing" (Ezekiel 13:3). The core metaphor, introduced in Ezekiel 13:10, 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.
  • 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.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • accomplish (Hebrew, kâlâh', H3615): 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', H2534): 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.
  • untempered (Hebrew, tâphêl', H8602): 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, 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.

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.

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 and 2 Peter 2.

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), 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). His parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 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. 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). 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).

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Commentary on Ezekiel 13 verses 10–16

We have here more plain dealing with the false prophets, and some further articles of their doom. We have seen the people made ashamed of the false prophets (though sometimes they had been fond of them) and casting them away, as they shall do their false gods, with indignation; now here we find them as much ashamed of their false prophecies, which they had sometimes depended upon with much assurance. Observe,

I. How the people are deceived by the false prophets. Those flatterers seduce them, saying, Peace, and there was no peace, Eze 13:10. They pretended to have seen visions of peace, Eze 13:16. But that could not be, for there was no peace, saith the Lord God. There was no prosperity designed for them, and therefore there could be no ground for their security; yet they told them that God was at peace with them, and had mercy in reserve for them, and that the war they were engaged in with the Chaldeans should soon end in an honourable peace, and their land should enjoy a happy repose and tranquillity. They told the idolaters and other sinners that there was neither harm nor danger in the way they were in. Thus they seduced God's people; they put a cheat upon them, led them into mistakes, and drew them aside out of that way of repentance and reformation which the other prophets were endeavouring to bring them into. Note, Those are the most dangerous seducers who suggest to sinners that which tends to lessen their dread of sin and their fear of God. Now this is compared to the building of a slight rotten wall, or, according to our Saviour's similitude, which is to the same purport with this (Mat 7:26), the building of a house upon the sand, which seems to be a shelter and protection for a while, but will fall when a storm comes. One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that God was not at all displeased with Jerusalem, but that the city should be confirmed in its flourishing state, and be victorious over the powers that now threatened it. This notion was very pleasing, and he that started it made himself very acceptable by it and was caressed by every body, which invited others to say the same. They made the matter look yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall, which the first had built, but it was with untempered mortar, sorry stuff, that will not bind nor hold the bricks together; they had no ground for what they said, nor had it any consistency with itself, but was like ropes of sand. They did not strengthen the wall, were in no care to make it firm, to see that they went upon sure grounds; they only daubed it to hide the cracks and make it look well to the eye. And the wall thus built, when it comes to any stress, much more to any distress, will bulge and totter, and come down by degrees. Note, Doctrines that are groundless, though ever so grateful, that are not built upon a scripture foundation nor fastened with a scripture cement, though ever so plausible, ever so pleasing, are not of any worth, nor will stand men in any stead; and those hopes of peace and happiness which are not warranted by the word of God will but cheat men, like a wall that is well daubed indeed, but ill-built.

II. How they will be soon undeceived by the judgment of God, which, we are sure, is according to truth. 1. God will in anger bring a terrible storm that shall beat fiercely and furiously upon the wall. The descent which the Chaldean army shall make upon Judah, and the siege which they shall lay to Jerusalem, will be as an overflowing shower, or inundation (such as Solomon calls a sweeping rain that leaves no food, Pro 28:3), will bear down all before it, as the deluge did in Noah's time: You, O great hailstones! shall fall, the artillery of heaven, every hailstone like a cannon-ball, battering this wall, and with these a stormy wind, which is sometimes so strong as to rend the rocks (Kg1 19:11), much more an ill-built wall, Eze 13:11. But that which makes this rain, and hail, and wind, most terrible is that they arise from the wrath of God, and are enforced by that; it is that which sends them; it is that which gives them the setting on (Eze 13:13); it is a stormy wind in my fury, and an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in my fury. The fury of Nebuchadnezzar and his princes, who highly resented Zedekiah's treachery, made the invasion very formidable, but that was nothing in comparison with God's displeasure. The staff in their hand is my indignation, Isa 10:5. Note, An angry God has winds and storms at command wherewith to alarm secure sinners; and his wrath makes them frightful and forcible indeed; for who can stand before him when he is angry? 2. This storm shall overturn the wall: it shall fall, and the wind shall rend it (Eze 13:11), the hailstones shall consume it (Eze 13:13); I will break it down (Eze 13:14) and bring it to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered; it will appear how false, how rotten it was, to the prophetical reproach of the builders. When the Chaldean army has made Judah and Jerusalem desolate then this credit of the prophets, and the hopes of the people, will both sink together; the former will be found false in flattering the people and the latter foolish in suffering themselves to be imposed upon by them, and so exposed to so much the greater confusion, when the judgment shall surprise them in their security. Note, Whatever men think to shelter themselves with against the judgments of God, while they continue unreformed, will prove but a refuge of lies and will not profit them in the day of wrath. See Isa 28:17. Men's anger cannot shake that which God has built (for the blast of the terrible ones is but as a storm against the wall, which makes a great noise, but never stirs the wall; see Isa 25:4), but God's anger will overthrow that which men have built in opposition to him. They and all their attempts, they and all the securities wherein they intrench themselves, shall be as a bowing wall and as a tottering fence (Psa 62:3, Psa 62:10); and when their vain predictions are disproved, and their vain expectations disappointed, then it will be discovered that there was no ground for either, Hab 3:13. The day will declare what every man's work is, and the fire will try it, Co1 3:13. 3. The builders of the wall, and those that daubed it, will themselves be buried in the ruins of it: It shall fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst thereof, Eze 13:14. And thus the threatenings of God's wrath, and all the just intentions of it, shall be accomplished to the uttermost, both upon the wall and upon those that have daubed it, Eze 13:15. The same judgments that will prove the false prophets to be false will punish them for their falsehood; and they themselves shall be involved in the calamity which they made the people believe there was no danger of, and become monuments of that justice which they bade defiance to. Thus, if the blind lead the blind, both the blind leaders and the blind followers will fall together into the ditch. Note, Those that deceive others will in the end prove to have deceived themselves; and no doom will be more fearful than that of unfaithful ministers, that flattered sinners in their sins. 4. Both the deceivers and the deceived, when they thus perish together, will justly be ridiculed and triumphed over (Eze 13:12): When the wall has fallen shall it not be said unto you, by those that gave credit to the true prophets, and feared the word of the Lord, "Now where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed the wall? What has become of all the fine soft words and fair promises wherewith you flattered your wicked neighbours, and all the assurances you gave them that the troubles of the nation should soon be at an end?" The righteous shall laugh at them, the righteous God shall, righteous men shall, saying, Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, Psa 52:6, Psa 52:7. I also will laugh at your calamity, Pro 1:26. They will say unto you (Eze 13:15), "The wall is no more, neither he that daubed it; your hopes have vanished, and those that supported them, even the prophets of Israel," Eze 13:16. Note, Those that usurp the honours that do not belong to them will shortly be filled with the shame that does.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–16. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Verse 10 and following) Because they have deceived my people, saying: peace, and there is no peace. And he was building a wall: but they were plastering it with mud without straw. Say to those who plaster without mortar, that it will fall. For there will be a overflowing rain: and I will give great stones falling from above, and a stormy wind blowing. Indeed, behold, the wall has fallen. Will it not be said to you, where is the whitewash that you plastered? Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: I will unleash the spirit of storms in my anger; and there will be a torrential rain in my fury, and great stones of wrath will be poured out, and I will destroy the wall that you have whitewashed without mortar, and I will level it to the ground; its foundation will be exposed, and it will fall and be consumed in its midst; and you will know that I am the Lord. And I will fulfill my anger against the wall and against those who whitewashed it without mortar; and I will say to you: The wall is no more, and there are no longer any who whitewash it. The prophets of Israel who prophesy to Jerusalem see a vision of peace, but there is no peace, says the Lord God. LXX: For they have deceived my people, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. And this one builds a wall, and these ones plaster it with folly. Say to those who plaster with folly, it will fall. There will be a flooding rain, and I will give great stones for their joints and they will fall. And a wind will come and tear it apart. And behold, the wall has fallen, and they will not say to you, 'Where is the whitewash that you whitewashed with?' Therefore, thus says the Lord Adonai: I will break the spirit of fury that carries away, and rainwill overflow in my anger, and I will bring great stones in fury to a consummation, and I will dig up the wall that you have plastered, and it will fall. And I will put it on the ground, and its foundations will be exposed, and it will fall. And you will be consumed with reproach, and you will know that I am the Lord. And I will complete my fury on the wall, and on those who plaster it, it will fall. And I said to you: There is no wall, nor those who plaster it, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and see peace for her: there is no peace for them, says the Lord God. The prophets of Israel, who will not be in the assembly of the people of God, nor be written in the scriptures of the house of Israel, nor enter the promised land, therefore suffer these things because they have deceived my people, proclaiming peace and prosperity by the severity of repentance and the wrongfulness of conversion, according to what is said elsewhere: Peace, peace, where is peace? (Jeremiah 8:11) Therefore, God figuratively built a wall for them through the commands of the law and the words and warnings of the holy prophets. For this Hebrew word signifies 'His', that is, it would repel every incursion of wild beasts and hostile attack from them, while they turned to God, they would be surrounded by this like a very strong wall and fortress. But the false prophets, not once but often, promised them peace, for this repeated talk of peace signifies this. And they were building the very wall which is called 'Cir' in the following, the false prophets were coating it without any restraint, as Symmachus interpreted, that is, with pure mud, and that it did not have straw, so that it could not provide any strength. But indeed, both the Septuagint and Theodotion interpret it as folly: but the eagle has interpreted the Hebrew word Thaphel as ἀνάλῳ, which means without salt, passing from one translation to another, just as food without salt has no flavor: so too clay, without straw to strengthen and bind it, can offer no strength to a wall. Say, he says, to those who make empty promises and pledge useless help, that this wall and this structure will fall, and I will send a very violent rain, namely the most fierce enemies. But it refers to the Babylonians and the Chaldeans; and it signifies the same hails stones falling from above, everything through a metaphor, by which a sudden whirlwind overturns and destroys an unstable wall; and afterwards it is said to them, that is, to the false prophets, Where is the plaster with which you plastered it, and where is the help that you promised? But whatever we have said about false prophets can also be applied to heretics, for all their God-inspired inventions will be dissolved by God's wrath; and the structure of false teachings, which the Holy Spirit does not support, shall fall and crumble down to its foundations and turn to dust, and become equal to the wall of the earth, and fall, and the prophets who made promises and the people to whom the promises were made shall be consumed in its midst; so that once He has completed His wrath and says to them: this is not a wall, that is, this is not your defense; and there are none who plaster it, but all are empty and amount to nothing: then you shall come to know by these actions that I am the Lord. But in order to know who these individuals are who daub the wall, it follows, the prophets of Israel, that is, the false prophets, who prophesy to Jerusalem and see for her a vision of peace, these are the cause of sin and ruin, and foolish security. For there will be no peace, says the Lord, because the Lord did not send them, nor did he speak to them. This which the Septuagint translated as 'and on their joints' is not found in the Hebrew. However, it signifies the joints of the stones in the wall, or the supports of wood, by which the walls are strengthened. And also that which we read above: he himself was building the wall; most people report that Israel, who promised himself either the empty help of the Egyptians or of peace, was referring to the people.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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