King James Version
Ezekiel 13
23 verses with commentary
False Prophets Condemned
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
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KJV Study Commentary
God's word comes to Ezekiel: 'And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying.' This formula introduces oracles against false prophets (chapter 13). The accumulation of divine words through Ezekiel emphasizes persistent warning against both political/religious corruption and false teaching that enabled it. Each oracle contributes to comprehensive testimony leaving no excuse for judgment.<br><br>The ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. the king is not he--**Zedekiah was a weak prince, and now in his straits afraid to oppose his princes. He hides his dislike of their overweening power, which prevented him shielding Jeremiah as he would have wished, under complimentary speeches. "It is not right that the king should deny aught to such faithful and wise statesmen"; the king is not such a one as to deny you your wishes [Jerome]...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →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; that prophesy out: Heb. that are prophets out of their own hearts
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KJV Study Commentary
God commands: '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.' Ezekiel must prophesy against false prophets, identifying their core error—they 'prophesy out of their own hearts' rather than receiving divine revelation. The Hebrew <em>mil-libbam</em> (מִלִּבָּם, 'from their heart') indica...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. dungeon--**literally, the "cistern." It was not a subterranean prison as that in Jonathan's house (Jr 37:15), but a pit or cistern, which had been full of water, but was emptied of it during the siege, so that only "mire" remained. Such empty cisterns were often used as prisons (Zec 9:11); the depth forbade hope of escape.
**Hammelech--**(Jr 36:26). His son followed in the father's steps, a...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! follow: Heb. walk after and: or, and things which they have not seen
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KJV Study Commentary
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!" False prophets speak from imagination rather than revelation. The phrase "follow their own spirit" contrasts with genuine prophets who deliver God's words. The "seen nothing" exposes their lack of divine vision despite claims. This pattern continues: false teachers invent messages pleasin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Foolish prophets.**—They were certainly foolish who undertook to forge the name of the Omniscient, as it were, to utterances of their own devising. Folly according to the use of the word in the Old Testament, was not merely an intellectual failing, but was always associated with moral obliquity. (See Psalm 14:1, and Proverbs throughout.) The last clause of the verse is better expressed in th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. Ebed-melech--**The Hebrew designation given this Ethiopian, meaning "king's servant." Already, even at this early time, God wished to show what good reason there was for calling the Gentiles to salvation. An Ethiopian stranger saves the prophet whom his own countrymen, the Jews, tried to destroy. So the Gentiles believed in Christ whom the Jews crucified, and Ethiopians were among the earlies...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
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KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets: 'O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.' Foxes in ruins were destructive scavengers, not builders or protectors. False prophets similarly exploited national crisis for personal gain rather than addressing root causes. The Hebrew <em>shu'alim</em> (שׁוּעָלִים, 'foxes/jackals') denotes cunning, opportunistic creatures inhabiting desolate places.<br><br...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Like the foxes in the deserts.**—The comparison is sufficiently close if it is considered as extending only to these mischievous men living unconcerned among the ruins of their state and country, as the foxes find their home in desolated cities (Lamentations 5:18); but many extend the simile to the undermining of the ground by the foxes, as these prophets accelerated the ruin of their people...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. went forth ... and spake--**not privately, but in public; a proof of fearless magnanimity.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. gaps: or, breaches made: Heb. hedged the hedge
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KJV Study Commentary
God continues His indictment: 'Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.' False prophets failed their duty to 'stand in the gap'—interceding and calling for repentance to avert judgment. The Hebrew <em>perats</em> (פֶּרֶץ, 'gap/breach') indicates broken walls needing repair; <em>gader</em> (גָּדֵר, 'hedge/wal...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Ye have not gone up into the gaps.**—The change of person is frequent enough in prophecy, and especially common in Ezekiel. It is changed back in Ezekiel 13:6, and changed again in Ezekiel 13:7. The *gaps *refer to the breaches in the wall made by the enemy, which became the rallying point of every brave leader (see Ezekiel 22:30), and the following words express essentially the same thought...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. die for hunger in the place where he is; for ... no ... bread in ... city--**(Compare Jr 37:21). He had heretofore got a piece of bread supplied to him. "Seeing that there is the utmost want of bread in the city, so that even if he were at large, there could no more be regularly supplied to him, much less now in a place where none remember or pity him, so that he is likely to die for hunger."...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.</strong> Ezekiel condemns false prophets claiming divine authority without divine commission. The Hebrew <em>chazu-shav</em> (חָזוּ־שָׁוְא, "they have seen vanity") means they envisioned emptiness, worthlessness, deception....
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **They have made others to hope.**—Omit the word “others,” which is not in the original, and translate, “The Lord hath not sent them that they should hope”—*i.e.*, they have no ground to expect that their prophecies will prove true, because they have no warrant for uttering them.
**EXCURSUS D: ON CHAPTER 13:6, 7, AND 17.**
In these verses a broad and crucial distinction is made between the sel...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. with thee--**Hebrew, "in thine hand," that is, at "thy disposal" (1Sa 16:2). "From hence," that is, from the gate of Benjamin where the king was sitting (Jr 38:7).
**thirty men--**not merely to draw up Jeremiah, but to guard Ebed-melech against any opposition on the part of the princes (Jr 38:1-4), in executing the king's command. Ebed-melech was rewarded for his faith, love, and courage, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Vision seen nothing. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised prot...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. cast clouts--**"torn clothes" [Henderson].
**rotten rags--**"worn-out garments." God can make the meanest things His instruments of goodness to His people (1Co 1:27-29).
**under ... armholes--**"under the joints of thine hands," that is, where the fingers join the hand, the clothes being in order that the hands should not be cut by the cords [Maurer].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Against false prophets. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised p...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →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. assembly: or, secret, or, counsel
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Excluded from assembly. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The assembly of my people.**—The original word bears also the meanings placed in the margin, but the sense here is correctly given in the text. The several clauses are intended to emphasise the utter exclusion of the false prophets from the people of God: they shall not be in the congregation; their names shall not be written in the genealogical registers of Israel; they shall not even enter...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. court of ... prison--**Ebed-melech prudently put him there to be out of the way of his enemies.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 13
Heavy judgments against lying prophets. (Ezek 13:1-9) The insufficiency of their work. (Ezek 13:10-16) Woes against false prophetesses. (Ezek 13:17-23)
**Verses 1-9** Where God gives a warrant to do any thing, he gives wisdom. What they delivered was not what they had seen or heard, as that is which the ministers of Christ deliver. They were not praying prophets, had no intercours...
Read full commentary →Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: a wall: or, a slight wall
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KJV Study Commentary
"Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter." False prophets offered false security ("Peace") when judgment approached. The wall metaphor depicts superficial solutions to fundamental problems—cosmetic repair when structural replacement is needed. "Untempered mortar" (whitewash) ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **One built up a wall.**—The original word is used for a partition wall—of course a comparatively slight wall—as noted in the margin; in Ezekiel 13:12, however, the ordinary word for an outer, or a city wall, is used. One of the false prophets would build a wall, set up of his own device—some vision as a defence against the warnings of calamity; and his fellows would join in his deceit by cov...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. third entry--**The Hebrews in determining the position of places faced the east, which they termed "that which is in front"; the south was thus called "that which is on the right hand"; the north, "that which is on the left hand"; the west, "that which is behind." So beginning with the east they might term it the first or principal entry; the south the second entry; the north the "third entr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones , shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Overflowing shower. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised prote...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Great hailstones.**—Hail is unusual in Palestine, but its destructive effects were well known. The figure of this prophecy may be compared with the parable of Matthew 7:27.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. wilt thou not hearken unto me--**Zedekiah does not answer this last query; the former one he replies to in Jr 38:16. Rather translate, "Thou wilt not hearken to me." Jeremiah judges so from the past conduct of the king. Compare Jr 38:17 with Jr 38:19.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Where is daubing?. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised protec...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Where is the daubing?**—The basis of all their false prophesying being destroyed by the coming judgments, the folly and falsehood of their words would be exposed to the eyes of all. As it is said in Ezekiel 13:14, the wall itself being thrown down to its very foundation, they who have tried to make the people trust in it shall be overwhelmed in its ruin.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. Lord ... made us this soul--**(Is 57:16). Implying, "may my life (soul) be forfeited if I deceive thee" [Calvin].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Stormy wind. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised protection o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. princes--**(Jr 39:3). He does not say "to the king himself," for he was at Riblah, in Hamath (Jr 39:5; 2Ki 25:6). "If thou go forth" (namely, to surrender; 2Ki 24:12; Is 36:16), God foreknows future conditional contingencies, and ordains not only the end, but also the means to the end.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Foundation discovered. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised pr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →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;
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Wall no more. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised protection ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. afraid of the Jews--**more than of God (Pr 29:25; Joh 9:22; 12:43).
**mock me--**treat me injuriously (1Sa 31:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →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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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Prophets of Jerusalem. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised pr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-16** One false prophet built the wall, set up the notion that Jerusalem should be victorious, and made himself acceptable by it. Others made the matter yet more plausible and promising; they daubed the wall which the first had built; but they would, ere long, be undeceived when their work was beaten down by the storm of God's just wrath; when the Chaldean army desolated the land. Hopes...
Read full commentary →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,
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Daughters prophesying. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised pr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17-23) **Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face . . .**—This passage deals with a class of people the false prophetesses, who are not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. True prophetesses, as in the case of Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and, at this very time, Huldah (2Kings 22:14; 2Chronicles 34:22), and somewhat later, Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), are frequently spoken of, and...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →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? armholes: or, elbows
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KJV Study Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Sew pillows. This verse contributes to the comprehensive exposure of false teaching that enabled Israel's apostasy. The specific practices condemned show how false prophecy mixed superstition with claims of divine authority, leading people astray from covenant faithfulness.<br><br>The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised protection o...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Souls.**—This word is used in the Old Testament in a variety of significations. Here and in the following verses it is nearly equivalent to *persons.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. women--**The very evil which Zedekiah wished to escape by disobeying the command to go forth shall befall him in its worst form thereby. Not merely the Jewish deserters shall "mock" him (Jr 38:19), but the very "women" of his own palace and harem, to gratify their new lords, will taunt him. A noble king in sooth, to suffer thyself to be so imposed on!
**Thy friends--**Hebrew, "men of thy p...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →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?
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KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets regarding Profane me among my people. This verse shows how false teaching profanes God's name by attributing to Him messages He didn't give. The practice of claiming divine authority for human opinions brings God's name into disrepute and misleads His people. The Hebrew indicates serious covenant violation—using Yahweh's name falsely violates the third commandment.<br><...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Handfuls of barley.**—It was an ancient custom to bring presents to a prophet on consulting him (1Samuel 9:7-8; 1Kings 14:3); but as barley was a cheap grain, and handfuls a very small quantity, these words show the exceedingly small gains for which these false prophetesses were willing to pervert the truth, and lead the people to destruction. God was “polluted” by attaching His name and au...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23. children--**(Jr 39:6; 41:10). "wives ... children ... thou"; an ascending climax.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →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. to make: or, into gardens
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KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets regarding I am against your pillows. This verse shows how false teaching profanes God's name by attributing to Him messages He didn't give. The practice of claiming divine authority for human opinions brings God's name into disrepute and misleads His people. The Hebrew indicates serious covenant violation—using Yahweh's name falsely violates the third commandment.<br><b...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24. Let no man know--**If thou wilt not tell this to the people, I will engage thy safety.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets regarding Delivered from your hand. This verse shows how false teaching profanes God's name by attributing to Him messages He didn't give. The practice of claiming divine authority for human opinions brings God's name into disrepute and misleads His people. The Hebrew indicates serious covenant violation—using Yahweh's name falsely violates the third commandment.<br><br...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
25. Kings are often such only in title; they are really under the power of their subjects.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: by: or, that I should save his life: Heb. by quickening him
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KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets regarding Made sad the righteous. This verse shows how false teaching profanes God's name by attributing to Him messages He didn't give. The practice of claiming divine authority for human opinions brings God's name into disrepute and misleads His people. The Hebrew indicates serious covenant violation—using Yahweh's name falsely violates the third commandment.<br><br>F...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26. presented--**literally, "made my supplication to fall"; implying supplication with humble prostration (see on Jr 36:7).
**Jonathan's house--**(Jr 37:15), different from Malchiah's dungeon (Jr 38:6). This statement was true, though not the whole truth; the princes had no right to the information; no sanction is given by Scripture here to Jeremiah's representation of this being the cause of ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
God condemns false prophets regarding Shall see no more vanity. This verse shows how false teaching profanes God's name by attributing to Him messages He didn't give. The practice of claiming divine authority for human opinions brings God's name into disrepute and misleads His people. The Hebrew indicates serious covenant violation—using Yahweh's name falsely violates the third commandment.<br><br...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Ye shall see no more vanity.**—As so often the judgment is expressed in the same form with the Sin. These false prophetesses had sinned by their lying visions, and they should see them no more, because the event should soon expose their utter falsity to the eyes of all. The result would be the deliverance of God’s people, whom they sought to ensnare, and their own conviction, not in peniten...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-23** It is ill with those who had rather hear pleasing lies than unpleasing truths. The false prophetesses tried to make people secure, signified by laying them at ease, and to make them proud, signified by the finery laid on their heads. They shall be confounded in their attempts, and God's people shall be delivered out of their hands. It behoves Christians to keep close to the word o...
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