King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 13:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 13:20 in the King James Version says “Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 13:20 · KJV


Context

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.

22

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


Commentary

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.

God opposes manipulative practices. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The specific practices condemned reflect ancient Near Eastern religious syncretism mixing Yahwism with pagan divination, magic, and superstition. God opposes manipulative practices 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 I am against your pillows warn against mixing biblical faith with cultural superstitions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 28
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּה2 of 28
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 28

Wherefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 28

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה5 of 28

GOD

H3069

god

הִנְנִ֤י6 of 28
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֶל7 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּסְּתוֹתֵיכֶ֙נָה֙8 of 28

Behold I am against your pillows

H3704

a cushion or pillow (as covering a seat or bed)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 28
H834

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

אַתֶּ֛ם10 of 28

wherewith ye

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מְצֹדְד֥וֹת11 of 28

that ye hunt

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

שָׁ֤ם12 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת13 of 28
H853

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

נְפָשִׁ֖ים14 of 28

and will let 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

לְפֹרְחֹֽת׃15 of 28

to make them fly

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

וְקָרַעְתִּ֣י16 of 28

and I will tear

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

אֹתָ֔ם17 of 28
H853

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

מֵעַ֖ל18 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

זְרוֹעֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם19 of 28

them from your arms

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי֙20 of 28

go

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת21 of 28
H853

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

נְפָשִׁ֖ים22 of 28

and will let 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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר23 of 28
H834

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

אַתֶּ֛ם24 of 28

wherewith ye

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מְצֹדְד֥וֹת25 of 28

that ye hunt

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

אֶת26 of 28
H853

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

נְפָשִׁ֖ים27 of 28

and will let 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

לְפֹרְחֹֽת׃28 of 28

to make them fly

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish


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 13:20 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 13:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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