Ezekiel 13:2

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, prophesy {H5012} against the prophets {H5030} of Israel {H3478} that prophesy {H5012}, and say {H559} thou unto them that prophesy {H5030} out of their own hearts {H3820}, Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068};

"Human being, prophesy against the prophets of Isra'el who prophesy. Tell those prophesying out of their own thoughts, 'Listen to what ADONAI says!

“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own heart, Hear ye the word of Jehovah:

Context of Ezekiel 13:2

Ezekiel 13:2 introduces a critical theme in the prophet Ezekiel's ministry: the denunciation of false prophets. This verse is set during the tumultuous period of the Babylonian exile, when many Israelites had been carried away from their homeland. In this challenging time, false prophets emerged, offering comforting but deceitful messages of peace and a swift return from captivity, directly contradicting the difficult truth God revealed through His true messengers like Ezekiel and Jeremiah. God addresses Ezekiel as "Son of man," a frequent designation throughout the book (Ezekiel 2:1), emphasizing his human nature as a representative of humanity before God, tasked with delivering a divine message to a rebellious people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authenticity of Prophecy: The verse immediately highlights the stark contrast between true and false prophecy. Ezekiel is commanded to "prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy," setting the stage for a divine judgment against those who claim to speak for God but do not.
  • Source of Prophecy: The core accusation against these false prophets is that they "prophesy out of their own hearts." This signifies that their messages originate from their personal desires, imaginations, or self-interest, rather than from divine revelation. This is a fundamental distinction from true prophets who speak only what they have heard from God.
  • Divine Authority and Discernment: The concluding command, "Hear ye the word of the LORD," is a powerful call to discernment. It underscores that God's actual word is the ultimate standard against which all prophetic claims must be measured. It implores the people to listen to God's authoritative message, not human fabrication. This theme of listening to God's true word is vital for spiritual health (Deuteronomy 18:22).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" is a direct translation of the Hebrew ben-adam, used over 90 times in Ezekiel. It serves to emphasize Ezekiel's humanity and his role as God's chosen messenger to a human audience. The crucial phrase "prophesy out of their own hearts" translates the Hebrew naba' millibbam, literally "to prophesy from their heart." This vividly portrays the internal, self-generated nature of their messages, which contrasts sharply with the divine inspiration that characterizes true prophecy. This same concept is echoed in Jeremiah 23:16.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 13:2 holds enduring relevance for believers today. It serves as a timeless warning against spiritual deception and highlights the critical need for discernment in an age filled with diverse voices claiming spiritual authority.

  • Discernment is Key: Believers must always test what is taught against the revealed Word of God. We are called to be like the Bereans who "searched the scriptures daily" to see if what they heard was true (Acts 17:11).
  • Reliance on God's Word: This verse reminds us that true spiritual authority and guidance come from God's Word, not human opinions, emotions, or self-serving interests. Our foundation for faith and practice must be "the word of the LORD."
  • Integrity in Leadership: For those in positions of spiritual influence, it is a powerful call to integrity, ensuring that their messages are rooted in divine truth and not personal agendas or desires for popularity.
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.

  • Ezekiel 13:17

    ¶ Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

  • Jeremiah 37:19

    Where [are] now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?

  • Ezekiel 22:28

    And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

  • Isaiah 1:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  • Ezekiel 22:25

    [There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

  • Isaiah 9:15

    The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail.

  • Jeremiah 29:20

    Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

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