Ezekiel 13:19

KJV

And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear [your] lies?

KJV (with Strong's)

And will ye pollute {H2490} me among my people {H5971} for handfuls {H8168} of barley {H8184} and for pieces {H6595} of bread {H3899}, to slay {H4191} the souls {H5315} that should not die {H4191}, and to save {H2421} the souls {H5315} alive {H2421} that should not live {H2421}, by your lying {H3576} to my people {H5971} that hear {H8085} your lies {H3577}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You dishonor me before my people for a few handfuls of barley and crumbs of bread, killing people who should not die and sparing those who should not live, by your lying to my people, who love hearing lies.'

Berean Standard Bible

You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived.

American Standard Version

And ye have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hearken unto lies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:19 delivers a searing divine indictment against false prophets and prophetesses in Israel, exposing their mercenary motivations and the devastating spiritual consequences of their deceptive messages. These individuals are accused of profaning God's holy name among His people by exchanging divine truth for meager material gain, leading the righteous to despair and offering false hope to the wicked, thus subverting the very essence of life and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger oracle in Ezekiel 13, where the prophet vehemently denounces false prophets and prophetesses who deceive the people of Israel. Chapters 12 and 13 immediately precede this, detailing the certainty of Jerusalem's fall and the futility of false hopes. Ezekiel 13 specifically contrasts the true word of God, which brings judgment and calls for repentance, with the empty words of those who "prophesy out of their own imagination" [Ezekiel 13:2](/ezekiel/13-2 "Ezekiel 13:2 - Prophesying from their own spirit") and "speak a vision of their own heart" [Ezekiel 13:17](/ezekiel/13-17 "Ezekiel 13:17 - Prophecies from their own heart"). The passage uses vivid imagery, such as building a flimsy wall and covering it with whitewash [Ezekiel 13:10](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10 - Whitewashed walls"), to illustrate the superficiality and ultimate collapse of their false assurances. Verse 19 specifically targets their motivations and the dire spiritual outcomes of their lies, serving as a climactic accusation within this denunciation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel ministered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during a period of profound national crisis, specifically after the first deportation in 597 BC and leading up to Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC. During this time, both in exile and in Jerusalem, numerous individuals claimed to speak for God, often contradicting the messages of true prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah. These false prophets typically offered comforting messages of peace and imminent return from exile, promising prosperity despite the people's ongoing rebellion against God. Their prophecies provided a false sense of security, preventing the people from acknowledging their sin, repenting, and submitting to God's judgment. The mention of "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread" highlights their base, mercenary motives, contrasting sharply with the often-unpopular and self-sacrificial ministry of true prophets who spoke God's unvarnished truth, regardless of personal cost.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 13:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. A primary theme is the **holiness and sovereignty of God**, particularly how His name is profaned when false messages are attributed to Him. The verse underscores the theme of **divine judgment** against those who lead God's people astray, emphasizing that God will not tolerate the corruption of His word or the exploitation of His people. It also highlights the crucial distinction between **true and false prophecy**, where genuine prophecy aligns with God's character and revealed will, often calling for repentance and warning of consequences, while false prophecy is driven by self-interest and offers deceptive comfort. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the **spiritual consequences of deception**, showing how lies can lead to spiritual death for the righteous and false assurance for the wicked, preventing genuine reconciliation with God, a concept woven throughout the warnings in Ezekiel, such as the watchman's responsibility in [Ezekiel 33](/ezekiel/33 "Ezekiel 33 - The Watchman's Responsibility").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pollute (Hebrew, _châlal'_):** This primitive root signifies to bore, wound, or dissolve, but figuratively, it carries the profound meaning of profaning, defiling, or desecrating. In Ezekiel 13:19, it emphasizes the gravity of the false prophets' actions: they are not merely mistaken but actively violating the sacredness of God's name and character by attributing their self-serving lies to Him. This act cheapens divine revelation and brings dishonor upon the Holy One of Israel.
* **Souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to breathe," _nephesh_ broadly refers to a breathing creature, vitality, or life itself. It is used widely to denote a living being, a person, or the seat of one's desires and emotions. Here, "souls" underscores that the false prophets' lies have profound, life-and-death spiritual consequences for individuals, affecting their very being and destiny. It highlights the personal and existential impact of their deception.
* **Lying / Lies (Hebrew, _kâzab'_ / _kâzâb'_):** _Kâzab_ (verb) means to lie or deceive, literally or figuratively, implying failure or being found a liar. _Kâzâb_ (noun) denotes falsehood, untruth, or an idol. The pairing of these terms in the verse powerfully emphasizes the deliberate and pervasive nature of the deception. The false prophets are not merely mistaken; they are actively and intentionally propagating falsehoods, and their messages are inherently deceitful, leading people away from truth and into spiritual peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread":** This opening rhetorical question is a scathing accusation from God. It highlights the utterly base and mercenary motives of the false prophets. They are willing to desecrate God's holy name and misrepresent His character among His own chosen people, not for any grand gain, but for the most meager of material provisions—a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. This exposes their profound lack of integrity and the cheapness with which they treat divine revelation.
* **"to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live":** This is the core indictment of the spiritual damage inflicted. "Slaying the souls that should not die" refers to disheartening and condemning the righteous, those who might be genuinely seeking God or repenting, by burdening them with false guilt or despair, or by discouraging their faith. Conversely, "saving the souls alive that should not live" means giving false hope and assurance of peace and safety to the wicked or unrepentant, preventing them from acknowledging their sin and turning to God. This perverse inversion of spiritual life and death demonstrates the destructive power of their lies.
* **"by your lying to my people that hear [your] lies?":** This final clause explicitly states the means by which the profanation and spiritual subversion occur: through deliberate and pervasive falsehood. It emphasizes that the people are susceptible to these lies, highlighting their spiritual vulnerability and the grave responsibility of those who claim to speak for God. The repetition of "lies" underscores the deliberate and consistent nature of the deception.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The verse opens with a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "And will ye pollute me among my people...?", which serves not as a request for information but as an emphatic accusation, expressing God's indignation and the outrageousness of the false prophets' actions. The phrase "for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread" functions as a stark **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, representing the paltry, mercenary motives of the prophets. It vividly contrasts the sacredness of God's name with the triviality of their gain. The central accusation, "to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live," is a striking example of **Antithesis** and **Paradox**. This juxtaposition highlights the perverse inversion of spiritual realities caused by the false prophets' deception, where life is offered to the spiritually dead and death to the spiritually alive. This also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme spiritual damage wrought by their lies, presenting it in terms of ultimate life and death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:19 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of truth, the sanctity of God's name, and the immense responsibility of those who claim to speak on His behalf. It underscores that God's holiness cannot be trifled with, and His word is not a commodity to be traded for personal gain. The verse reveals God's deep concern for His people, whom He sees as being led astray by deceptive messages that undermine their spiritual well-being and relationship with Him. It highlights the destructive power of falsehood, not just as an intellectual error, but as a force that can lead to spiritual death, perverting the very path to life. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual malpractice and a call for discernment, emphasizing that genuine spiritual authority flows from divine truth, not human manipulation or greed.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Distinguishing True from False Prophets")
* [Jeremiah 23:21-22](/jeremiah/23-21 "God Did Not Send Them")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Beware of False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:19 offers a powerful and enduring challenge for believers in every age to cultivate spiritual discernment and to uphold the sanctity of God's truth. In a world saturated with information and competing voices, the call to "test the spirits" ([1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits"]) remains as vital as ever. We are challenged to critically evaluate all messages claiming divine authority, not by their popularity or comforting nature, but by their fidelity to the revealed Word of God and their alignment with the character of Christ. This verse compels us to examine the motives of those who teach and lead, recognizing that true spiritual leadership is marked by humility, integrity, and a selfless commitment to God's glory and the genuine well-being of His people, rather than personal gain or influence. It also calls us to personal responsibility in seeking truth, ensuring that our own spiritual nourishment comes from the pure spring of God's Word, guarding against any message that offers false peace without repentance or condemns those whom God seeks to redeem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between messages that offer genuine spiritual life and those that offer false comfort or condemnation?**
* **What are some modern-day "handfuls of barley and pieces of bread" that might motivate false spiritual claims or lead people astray?**
* **In what ways might I inadvertently "pollute" God's name by misrepresenting His character or truth in my own words or actions?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper love for God's truth that protects me from spiritual deception?**

### FAQ
**What does "slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live" mean?**

Answer: This is a powerful and paradoxical statement describing the spiritual devastation caused by false prophets. "Slaying the souls that should not die" refers to disheartening, discouraging, or condemning the righteous or those who are genuinely seeking God. By burdening them with false guilt, despair, or by misrepresenting God's grace, the false prophets effectively extinguish their spiritual vitality. Conversely, "saving the souls alive that should not live" means giving false hope, peace, and assurance to the wicked or unrepentant. By telling them that judgment will not come or that their sins are inconsequential, these false messages prevent them from turning from their wickedness, thereby allowing them to remain in a state of spiritual death, oblivious to their true peril.

**How can we identify false prophets or teachers today?**

Answer: The Bible provides clear criteria for identifying false prophets and teachers. First, their message will contradict God's revealed Word in Scripture ([Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing a Prophet")). Second, their prophecies may fail to come true ([Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - The Test of a Prophet")). Third, their fruit—their character, lifestyle, and the spiritual impact of their ministry—will often reveal their true nature, even if their words sound appealing ([Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15-20 - By Their Fruit You Will Know Them")). Finally, their motives may be driven by greed, personal gain, or a desire for power, rather than a genuine love for God and His people ([2_peter/2-3](/2_peter/2-3 "2 Peter 2:3 - Exploiting You with False Words")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:19, with its stark warning against those who profane God's name through lies and lead souls to spiritual death, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of truth, declaring, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"]). Unlike the false prophets who spoke from their own imagination for material gain, Jesus spoke only what He heard from the Father ([john/12-49 "John 12:49 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words"]), offering true spiritual nourishment and the bread of life ([john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"]) that truly sustains. Where false prophets "slay the souls that should not die" by burdening the righteous, Christ came to set the captives free and give rest to the weary and heavy-laden ([matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"]). And where they "save the souls alive that should not live" by offering false security to the unrepentant, Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, calls sinners to repentance ([luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - I Have Not Come to Call the Righteous, But Sinners to Repentance"]) and exposes the darkness of sin, offering genuine forgiveness and new life only through His atoning sacrifice ([romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death, But the Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus"]). He is the ultimate Prophet who perfectly reveals God's will, ensuring that all who hear and obey His voice find true life and are not led astray by the lies that lead to death ([john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"]).

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

Proverbs 28:21

¶ To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.

Micah 3:5

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

Ezekiel 22:26

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Jeremiah 23:14

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Ezekiel 20:39

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter [also], if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

Jeremiah 23:17

They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.