Ezekiel 13:23

KJV

Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore ye shall see {H2372} no more vanity {H7723}, nor divine {H7080} divinations {H7081}: for I will deliver {H5337} my people {H5971} out of your hand {H3027}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

therefore you will have no more futile visions, and you will produce no more divinations. I will rescue my people from your clutches, and you will know that I am ADONAI.'"

Berean Standard Bible

therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will deliver My people from your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

American Standard Version

Therefore ye shall no more see false visions, nor divine divinations: and I will deliver my people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 13:23 stands as a profound divine decree, announcing God's decisive judgment against the false prophets and prophetesses who had gravely misled His people with deceptive visions and empty promises. This verse proclaims the imminent and definitive cessation of their fraudulent practices, underscoring the LORD's direct and powerful intervention to deliver His people from their manipulative and spiritually harmful influence. Ultimately, this act of divine judgment and redemptive deliverance serves a singular, overarching purpose: to undeniably reveal God's unique identity and unwavering sovereignty, ensuring that all, both the deceivers and the delivered, will experientially acknowledge Him as the one true LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 13 is a scathing prophetic indictment delivered by the LORD through Ezekiel against the pervasive problem of false prophecy within Israel, particularly during the tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. The chapter commences with God's direct command to Ezekiel to prophesy against these self-appointed "prophets" who operate not by divine inspiration but by "their own spirit, and have nothing" ([Ezekiel 13:3](/ezekiel/13-3 "Ezekiel 13:3 - False Prophets Condemned")). These deceivers are vividly depicted as constructing a fragile "wall" of false hope for the people and then "daubing it with untempered mortar" ([Ezekiel 13:10](/ezekiel/13-10 "Ezekiel 13:10 - Untempered Mortar")), promising "peace" (shalom) where God had unequivocally declared impending judgment. Verse 23 functions as the climactic pronouncement of God's decisive action, bringing an absolute end to their deceptive visions and divinations, thereby dismantling the very foundation of their illegitimate authority and widespread influence. It follows specific condemnations of the prophetesses, who are accused of using "magic bands" and "veils" to ensnare souls, promising life to those who should die and death to those who should live ([Ezekiel 13:18-22](/ezekiel/13-18-22 "Ezekiel 13:18-22 - Condemnation of Prophetesses")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Ezekiel's prophecy is the deeply distressing era of the Babylonian exile, specifically after the initial deportation of Judah's elite in 597 BC. The remaining populace in Judah, and the exiles in Babylon, were in a state of profound vulnerability and desperation, yearning for a genuine word of hope and a swift end to their suffering. In this fertile ground of anxiety, false prophets thrived, offering comforting, yet ultimately deceptive, messages of imminent peace and a rapid return from exile. These messages directly contradicted the true, albeit difficult, word of judgment and prolonged captivity delivered by faithful prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Furthermore, divination and various forms of occult practices were regrettably prevalent throughout the ancient Near East. Despite explicit prohibitions within the Mosaic Law against such abominations ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices")), these pagan influences had sadly infiltrated even Israelite religious life. These false prophets were not merely mistaken in their interpretations; they actively exploited the people's deepest fears and fervent hopes, often for personal gain, leading them further astray from the LORD and His revealed truth.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 13:23 powerfully encapsulates several overarching theological and narrative themes central to Ezekiel's prophecy and indeed, to the broader prophetic literature of the Old Testament. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the **Cessation of Falsehood and Deception**, as God directly intervenes to silence the deceptive voices and practices of the false prophets. Their "vanity" and "divinations" will be exposed for what they are—empty and powerless—and rendered utterly ineffective. Secondly, the verse highlights the profound theme of **Divine Deliverance**, portraying God as the active and compassionate rescuer of His people from the spiritual and psychological bondage imposed by these charlatans. He is unequivocally committed to freeing them from manipulation and spiritual harm, echoing His historical pattern of delivering Israel from oppression, as vividly seen in the foundational [Exodus narrative](/exodus/6 "Exodus 6 - God's Promise to Deliver Israel"). Thirdly, and arguably most centrally, the verse reiterates the foundational theme of the **Revelation of God's Sovereignty and Identity**. The recurring phrase, "and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD," is a signature motif in Ezekiel, appearing over seventy times throughout the book. It signifies that God's judgments, whether punitive or redemptive, are ultimately designed to reveal His true, incomparable nature and His absolute authority to both His covenant people and the surrounding nations, distinguishing Him from all false gods and human claims to power ([Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - Knowing the LORD through Judgment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vanity (Hebrew, _shâvᵉʼ'_):** From H7723, this term denotes emptiness, worthlessness, or falsehood. It refers to anything that is ultimately without substance, deceptive, or leads to ruin. In the context of Ezekiel 13:23, it specifically points to the empty, baseless visions, false prophecies, and hollow promises of the false prophets, which offered no true hope or spiritual nourishment but rather led to spiritual and national destruction. This word is frequently associated with idolatry and the act of speaking lies in God's name, emphasizing the grave nature of their deception.
* **Divinations (Hebrew, _qeçem'_):** From H7081, this word refers to a lot, divination, enchantment, or fortune-telling. It encompasses various illicit and pagan practices used to ascertain the future or gain secret knowledge, often involving magical scrolls, lots, or other forbidden means. God explicitly forbade such practices among His people, as they sought guidance from sources other than Him, thereby undermining His exclusive authority and the purity of His true prophetic word. The use of this word here underscores the pagan, forbidden, and spiritually dangerous nature of the false prophets' activities, aligning them with practices anathema to Yahwistic faith.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root signifies "to know" in a comprehensive and profound sense, extending far beyond mere intellectual understanding to include experiential, relational, and often punitive knowledge. It means to ascertain by seeing, to perceive, to discern, to acknowledge, to recognize, and even to become intimately acquainted with. When God declares, "ye shall know that I am the LORD," it implies a profound, undeniable, and transformative recognition of His unique identity, His absolute power, and His unwavering faithfulness, brought about through His decisive actions of judgment and deliverance. It is a knowledge that establishes His sovereignty and demands a response of worship and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations:"** This opening clause serves as a direct, irreversible consequence of God's prior condemnation of the false prophets and prophetesses. The "vanity" (empty, false visions and promises) and "divine divinations" (illicit, pagan-inspired prophecies) that characterized their deceptive ministry will definitively cease. God's judgment will render their fraudulent practices utterly ineffective and their harmful influence nullified. The people will no longer be subjected to or misled by these destructive falsehoods, as their source will be silenced.
* **"for I will deliver my people out of your hand:"** This pivotal clause reveals God's profound and compassionate motivation for bringing an end to the false prophecies: the active deliverance of His cherished people. The "hand" (Hebrew, `yâd`, H3027) here powerfully symbolizes the power, control, and oppressive grip that the false prophets had exerted over the vulnerable populace. God promises to snatch away (Hebrew, `nâtsal`, H5337) His people from this spiritual and psychological bondage, freeing them from the exploitation, manipulation, and false hope that had ensnared them. This highlights God's active, protective, and redemptive character, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
* **"and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD."** This culminating declaration is a foundational theological statement that reverberates throughout the book of Ezekiel. The cessation of falsehood and the powerful deliverance of the people are not ends in themselves but serve a far greater, ultimate purpose: the undeniable, experiential revelation of God's true identity. The phrase "I am the LORD" employs God's sacred covenant name, YHWH (Hebrew, `Yᵉhôvâh`, H3068), emphasizing His self-existent, eternal, and uniquely sovereign nature. Through His decisive actions—both in judgment against the false prophets and in deliverance of His people—both the deceivers and the delivered will come to a profound, transformative knowledge of His unique authority, His absolute faithfulness, and His unparalleled power, distinguishing Him irrevocably from all human or pagan claimants to deity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 13:23 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which starkly juxtaposes the deceptive "vanity" and "divinations" of the false prophets with the authentic, delivering power and truth of the LORD. This opposition vividly highlights the chasm between human falsehood and divine truth, emphasizing God's ultimate triumph over all forms of deception. The recurring phrase "ye shall know that I [am] the LORD" functions as a powerful **Formulaic Declaration** or **Motto**, a signature motif that appears frequently throughout the book of Ezekiel. Its repetition underscores God's ultimate purpose in all His judgments and redemptive acts: to reveal His unique, incomparable, and sovereign identity to all. Furthermore, the "hand" of the false prophets serves as a potent **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, representing their oppressive power, controlling influence, and spiritual bondage over the people. God's promise to deliver His people "out of your hand" vividly portrays His act of liberation from their spiritual captivity, emphasizing His active role as a rescuer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 13:23 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to truth, His active role as a deliverer, and the ultimate vindication of His sovereign identity. Theologically, it underscores that God will not tolerate falsehood, spiritual deception, or the manipulation of His people. His holy character demands that truth prevail, and He actively intervenes to expose and dismantle systems of lies that lead His flock astray. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spiritual authority and true prophetic utterance flow exclusively from God, and any claims to prophecy or guidance that contradict His revealed will are illegitimate and will ultimately be brought to nothing. It highlights God's profound pastoral heart, demonstrating His desire not only to justly judge the wicked but also to mercifully rescue the vulnerable from their clutches, ensuring that His people walk in the liberating light of His truth.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10-12 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Warning Against Abominable Practices")
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets and Their Lies")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 13:23 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless call to spiritual discernment and a powerful assurance of God's protective care. In an age saturated with information, diverse voices, and competing truth claims, the temptation to embrace "vanity"—empty promises, superficial spirituality, or teachings that cater to our desires rather than God's revealed truth—is ever-present. This verse challenges us to critically evaluate all messages, whether from within or outside the church, against the unchanging and authoritative standard of God's Word. It reminds us that true spiritual freedom and genuine peace come not from comforting lies but from courageously confronting reality with divine truth. Furthermore, it offers immense comfort and hope, knowing that God actively works to deliver His people from spiritual deception and the harmful influence of false teachers. He is committed to exposing lies and freeing those who are ensnared, ensuring that His genuine followers will ultimately recognize His hand in bringing about justice and deliverance. Our ultimate security and source of truth lie not in human assurances or popular opinions, but in the sovereign LORD, who alone is true and faithful.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what contemporary forms might "vanity" or "divine divinations" manifest in our world, and how can we cultivate the discernment necessary to identify them?**
* **What are we, individually or as a faith community, trusting for security or truth that might inadvertently be built on "untempered mortar" or human-derived foundations?**
* **How does God's powerful promise to "deliver my people out of your hand" encourage and empower us when facing spiritual manipulation, deceptive ideologies, or harmful influences?**
* **How does a deeper, experiential "knowledge that I am the LORD" impact our daily discernment, our reliance on God's truth, and our willingness to reject falsehood in all its forms?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "false prophets" and "prophetesses" mentioned in Ezekiel 13?**

Answer: The "false prophets" and "prophetesses" in Ezekiel 13 were individuals within Israel who claimed to speak for God but delivered messages that originated from their own imaginations, selfish desires, or even demonic influence, rather than from the LORD. They offered false hope and comfort, promising peace and a swift end to the Babylonian exile, directly contradicting the true prophetic word given by God through Ezekiel and Jeremiah. They exploited the people's vulnerability, often for personal gain, and their practices sometimes involved pagan forms of divination, such as the "magic bands" and "veils" mentioned in [Ezekiel 13:18](/ezekiel/13-18 "Ezekiel 13:18 - Prophetesses and Their Practices"). Their primary offense was speaking "a lying divination" ([Ezekiel 13:7](/ezekiel/13-7 "Ezekiel 13:7 - Lying Divination")) and actively misleading God's people.

**Why is "knowing that I am the LORD" so significant in Ezekiel?**

Answer: The phrase "and ye shall know that I am the LORD" (Hebrew: *YHWH*) is a recurring and foundational motif throughout the book of Ezekiel, appearing over seventy times. It signifies a profound, experiential recognition of God's unique identity, absolute power, and unwavering sovereignty. In a polytheistic ancient world where many gods were worshipped, this declaration asserts YHWH's singular authority and supremacy. God's judgments (against both Israel and the nations) and His acts of restoration are all designed to bring about this knowledge. It's not merely intellectual assent but a transformative understanding of His character, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His absolute control over history and destiny. It means acknowledging His sacred covenant name and His inherent right to be acknowledged as the one true God, distinct from all human or pagan claimants to deity, as seen in passages like [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Vindicated").

**How does God "deliver" His people from false teaching?**

Answer: God delivers His people from false teaching in several profound ways, as powerfully illustrated in Ezekiel 13:23 and throughout the broader narrative of Scripture. Firstly, He does so by **exposing the falsehood** itself, rendering the "vanity" and "divinations" ineffective through His sovereign actions and judgments, thereby revealing their emptiness. Secondly, He raises up and empowers **faithful prophets and teachers** who courageously speak His true, unadulterated word, providing a clear and undeniable contrast to the lies. Thirdly, He graciously gives His people **discernment** through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the illumination of His written Word, enabling them to test what is taught and recognize truth from error ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")). Ultimately, God's deliverance from false teaching is an act of His immense grace and omnipotent power, freeing His people from the spiritual bondage, manipulation, and harmful consequences of deception, leading them back to Himself and His life-giving truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 13:23, with its powerful promise of the cessation of falsehood and the ultimate deliverance of God's people from deceptive influences, finds its most profound and complete fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of truth, the one who came into the world to expose and utterly disarm all "vanity" and "divinations" that mislead and enslave humanity. Jesus unequivocally declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")), thereby utterly discrediting any false claims to divine revelation, salvation, or spiritual authority. Through His sinless life, His authoritative teaching, and especially His atoning death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, Jesus delivered humanity from the ultimate "hand" of deception and bondage—the pervasive power of sin and death itself ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). He is the true and good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, protecting them from the "wolves in sheep's clothing" who seek to devour them with lies and false doctrines ([John 10:11-12](/john/10-11-12 "John 10:11-12 - The Good Shepherd")). Furthermore, it is supremely through Christ that humanity truly comes to "know that I am the LORD." Jesus perfectly revealed the Father, stating, "No one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him" ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")). The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, continues to guide believers "into all the truth" ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), empowering them to discern falsehood, walk in the freedom of God's revealed will, and thereby experience the full, saving, and transformative knowledge of the LORD.

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

Ezekiel 13:21

Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Micah 3:6

Therefore night [shall be] unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

Ezekiel 12:24

For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Ezekiel 34:10

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

Zechariah 13:3

And it shall come to pass, [that] when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.