King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 13:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 13:19 in the King James Version says “And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Ezekiel 13:19 · KJV


Context

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,

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? armholes: or, elbows

19

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?

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. to make: or, into gardens

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.


Commentary

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.

Using God's name for false teaching. False prophets caused spiritual harm by distorting people's understanding of God's character, will, and covenant demands. They made judgment seem unlikely, repentance unnecessary, and sin inconsequential—all lies that endangered souls. Their deceptive ministry required divine intervention to protect the faithful.

From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates God's jealousy for His glory and His protection of His people from deception. When false teaching proliferates, God directly intervenes through faithful prophets exposing error and eventually through judgment silencing false teachers. The church must maintain doctrinal integrity, opposing error and protecting believers from wolves in sheep's clothing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The specific practices condemned reflect ancient Near Eastern religious syncretism mixing Yahwism with pagan divination, magic, and superstition. Using God's name for false teaching within a context where religious professionals exploited people's fears and hopes for profit. Archaeological evidence shows widespread magical practices in Iron Age Israel despite Torah prohibitions. False prophets capitalized on this syncretistic environment, offering services that mixed legitimate spiritual authority with pagan techniques. Their ministry represented covenant apostasy at leadership level, more dangerous than lay idolatry because it carried authoritative weight.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does claiming God's authority for human opinions profane His name today?
  2. What responsibility does church leadership bear to protect believers from false teaching?
  3. In what ways does Profane me among my people warn against mixing biblical faith with cultural superstitions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַתְּחַלֶּלְ֨נָה1 of 22

And will ye pollute

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

אֹתִ֜י2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְעַמִּ֖י4 of 22

me among my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּשַׁעֲלֵ֣י5 of 22

for handfuls

H8168

the palm; by extension, a handful

שְׂעֹרִים֮6 of 22

of barley

H8184

barley (as villose)

וּבִפְת֣וֹתֵי7 of 22

and for pieces

H6595

a bit

לֶחֶם֒8 of 22

of bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

תְמוּתֶ֔נָה9 of 22

that should not die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

נְפָשׁ֖וֹת10 of 22

the souls

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא12 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְמוּתֶ֔נָה13 of 22

that should not die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה14 of 22

alive

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

נְפָשׁ֖וֹת15 of 22

the souls

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹא17 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה18 of 22

alive

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

בְּכַ֨זֶּבְכֶ֔ם19 of 22

by your lying

H3576

to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively

לְעַמִּ֖י20 of 22

me among my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

שֹׁמְעֵ֥י21 of 22

that hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

כָזָֽב׃22 of 22

your lies

H3577

falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 13:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 13:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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