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.

Therefore thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Because ye have spoken {H1696} vanity {H7723}, and seen {H2372} lies {H3577}, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Therefore here is what Adonai ELOHIM does say: 'Because you have spoken futilities and seen falsehoods, therefore I am against you,' says Adonai ELOHIM.

Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.

Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Ezekiel 13:8 delivers a stark declaration from the Lord GOD, condemning those who propagate falsehoods in His name. It highlights the severe divine judgment awaiting false prophets who have deceived the people of Israel with empty words and fabricated visions, leading to God's direct opposition against them.

Context

This verse is part of a larger indictment in Ezekiel chapter 13, where the prophet Ezekiel, ministering during the Babylonian exile, specifically condemns the false prophets and prophetesses active in Judah and among the exiles. These individuals offered false hope and peace, promising an end to the exile and a reversal of fortunes, directly contradicting God's true message of impending judgment and the necessity of repentance. They "healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace," a theme also echoed by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:11). The people, yearning for comfort, were often more willing to listen to these pleasant lies than the harsh truth of God's word delivered by Ezekiel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution for Deceit: The phrase "I am against you" signifies God's active, personal opposition to those who pervert His word and mislead His people. It underscores the gravity of speaking falsehood in His name.
  • The Nature of False Prophecy: The terms "spoken vanity" and "seen lies" vividly describe the emptiness and deceitfulness of the false prophets' messages. Their prophecies were not merely mistaken but were fabrications designed to please the audience or serve their own interests, rather than convey divine truth.
  • God's Unwavering Justice: This verse emphasizes God's character as one who cannot be mocked and will not tolerate falsehood, especially when it is presented under the guise of divine authority. His judgment is a righteous response to deliberate deception.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "vanity" and "lies" are significant. Shav (שָׁוְא), translated as "vanity," conveys emptiness, worthlessness, and falsehood. It's often associated with things that are vain, useless, or even idolatrous. Sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), translated as "lies," refers to deception, falsehood, and treachery. The combination powerfully describes the deceptive nature of the false prophets' messages. The repeated phrase "saith the Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) throughout the verse and chapter reinforces the absolute authority and unchangeable nature of the divine pronouncement, emphasizing that this is God's direct and unchallengeable word.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 13:8 serves as a timeless warning and a call for spiritual discernment. In any age, it is crucial for believers to:

  • Exercise Discernment: Be vigilant in evaluating spiritual teachings and claims of divine revelation. Not every voice claiming to speak for God is truthful. As Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
  • Prioritize Truth: Understand that God's word is truth (John 17:17) and that He holds those who spread falsehood accountable. There are serious consequences for deceiving others, especially regarding spiritual matters.
  • Seek God's Authentic Voice: Rely on the established Word of God and genuine spiritual leaders who faithfully teach it, rather than seeking comfort in pleasant but ultimately false promises. God "is not mocked" (Galatians 6:7).
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 21:3

    And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I [am] against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.

  • Ezekiel 5:8

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, [am] against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.

  • Nahum 2:13

    Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

  • Ezekiel 26:3

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.

  • Ezekiel 28:22

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

  • Ezekiel 35:3

    And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I [am] against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.

  • Nahum 3:5

    Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

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