Ezekiel 13:20

Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make [them] fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, [even] the souls that ye hunt to make [them] fly.

Wherefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Behold, I am against your pillows {H3704}, wherewith ye {H859} there hunt {H6679} the souls {H5315} to make them fly {H6524}, and I will tear {H7167} them from your arms {H2220}, and will let the souls {H5315} go {H7971}, even the souls {H5315} that ye hunt {H6679} to make them fly {H6524}.

Therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I am against your pads, with which you hunt human lives like birds; I will tear them from your arms and let the lives go, yes, the human lives that you hunt like birds.

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I am against the magic charms with which you ensnare souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. So I will free the souls you have ensnared like birds.

Wherefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

Context of Ezekiel 13:20

Ezekiel 13:20 is part of a powerful denunciation by the Lord GOD against false prophets and prophetesses in ancient Israel. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 13:17-19) specifically target women who engaged in deceptive spiritual practices, misleading God's people for personal gain. These individuals would "hunt souls" by promising peace to the wicked and discouraging the righteous, weaving a web of lies that ensnared the vulnerable. This divine judgment highlights God's unwavering opposition to spiritual manipulation and the perversion of His truth, a theme seen throughout the prophetic books concerning false prophecy in Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment Against Deception: The verse unequivocally states, "Behold, I [am] against your pillows," signifying God's direct and forceful opposition to the tools and methods of these false prophetesses. It's a declaration of divine wrath against those who exploit spirituality.
  • Spiritual Ensnarement and Liberation: The phrase "hunt the souls to make [them] fly" vividly portrays the manipulative tactics used to trap or control people's spiritual destinies, perhaps driving them to despair or false hope. God's response – "I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go" – emphasizes His commitment to liberating those who have been spiritually bound by deceit. This echoes a broader biblical promise of setting the captives free.
  • God's Protection of His People: Despite the widespread deception, God intervenes to protect and rescue those who were targeted. This demonstrates His sovereignty and His deep care for His flock, ensuring that the schemes of the wicked will not ultimately prevail against His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's translation of "pillows" for the Hebrew word kesatot (כְּסָתוֹת) in this context is unique. Many modern translations render it as "magic bands," "amulets," "headbands," or "veils." These were likely symbolic or literal items used in their divinatory practices, perhaps to comfort, ensnare, or bind people, or to enhance their false prophecies. The exact nature of these objects is debated, but their purpose was clear: to aid in spiritual deception and control. The Hebrew verb tsud (צוּד), translated "hunt," literally means "to trap" or "to ensnare," emphasizing the predatory nature of their spiritual practices.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 13:20 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual deception and a powerful reassurance of God's liberating power. In every age, there are those who seek to manipulate others for personal gain, often under the guise of spiritual authority. This verse calls believers to:

  • Cultivate Spiritual Discernment: Be wary of messages or practices that promise easy solutions, exploit fear, or contradict the clear teachings of Scripture. The Bible encourages testing the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1).
  • Trust in God's Deliverance: If you feel spiritually ensnared or misled, this verse offers hope. God is actively against those who hunt souls and is mighty to tear away their deceptive tools, setting the captives free.
  • Uphold Truth and Integrity: For those in positions of spiritual influence, this passage is a stark reminder of the gravity of their calling and the severe consequences of perverting God's truth for selfish ends.
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 13:18

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the [women] that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive [that come] unto you?

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • 2 Timothy 3:9

    But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

  • Ezekiel 13:8

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 13:9

    And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 13:15

    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;

  • 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.

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