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.

To wit, the prophets {H5030} of Israel {H3478} which prophesy {H5012} concerning Jerusalem {H3389}, and which see {H2374} visions {H2377} of peace {H7965} for her, and there is no peace {H7965}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

that is, the prophets of Isra'el who prophesy about Yerushalayim and see visions of peace for her when there is no peace," says Adonai ELOHIM.'

those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.’

to wit, the prophets of Israel that prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and that see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Ezekiel 13:16 powerfully condemns the false prophets in ancient Israel who offered deceptive assurances of safety and well-being to Jerusalem. Despite the city's impending judgment due to rampant sin and rebellion against God, these self-proclaimed seers promised "peace" where none existed, directly contradicting the Lord God's true message.

Context

This verse is part of a larger indictment in Ezekiel chapter 13 against the false prophets and prophetesses who were misleading the people of Judah during a critical period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. While God's true prophets, like Ezekiel and Jeremiah, warned of impending judgment and called for repentance, these false prophets offered comforting but untrue messages of "peace" (Hebrew: shalom) and security. They effectively whitewashed the spiritual decay and imminent destruction, preventing the people from acknowledging their sin and turning back to the Lord. Jerusalem was facing a siege and eventual destruction by Babylon, yet these prophets painted a picture of divine protection and prosperity that was utterly baseless.

Key Themes

  • The Deception of False Prophecy: The verse highlights the severe danger of those who speak in God's name without divine authorization, delivering messages that are pleasing to human ears but contrary to God's truth.
  • Contradiction of Divine Will: It underscores the stark contrast between the false prophets' fabricated "visions of peace" and the reality declared by the "Lord GOD" – that there was, in fact, no peace. God's word stands as the ultimate truth against all human lies.
  • Consequences of Unrepentance: The false promises of peace masked the underlying spiritual sickness and moral corruption that necessitated God's judgment, ultimately hindering the people's opportunity for repentance and restoration.
  • God's Sovereignty and Judgment: Despite the human attempts to deny or obscure it, God's plan and judgment for Jerusalem would inevitably come to pass, demonstrating His ultimate control and righteous justice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "peace" is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which encompasses far more than just the absence of conflict. It signifies wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony. The false prophets promised this comprehensive state of flourishing for Jerusalem, while the reality was one of spiritual brokenness and impending destruction. The title "Lord GOD" (Hebrew: Adonai Yahweh) emphasizes God's supreme authority and covenant faithfulness, highlighting the gravity of His pronouncement against the false prophets' empty words.

Related Scriptures

The danger of false prophecy is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, as seen in Jeremiah's denunciation of those who prophesy lies and claim visions from their own hearts, not from the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:20 warns of the severe consequences for any prophet who presumes to speak in God's name what He has not commanded. Conversely, the true peace, or shalom, comes from God alone, often through repentance and obedience, not from human assurances or denial of truth.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 13:16 serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It calls for spiritual discernment, urging us to test all teachings and prophecies against the unchanging Word of God (1 John 4:1). We must be wary of messages that offer comforting but unbiblical assurances, especially those that ignore the need for repentance, holiness, or the reality of God's judgment. True peace is found not in denying difficult truths or avoiding accountability, but in walking in humility and obedience to the Lord God, whose words, though sometimes challenging, are always true and ultimately lead to genuine well-being.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 6:14

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

  • Ezekiel 13:10

    ¶ 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]:

  • Jeremiah 8:11

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

  • Isaiah 48:22

    [There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

  • Isaiah 57:20

    But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

  • Isaiah 57:21

    [There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

  • Jeremiah 5:31

    The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

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