King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 13:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 13:21 in the King James Version says “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 hu... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 13:21 · KJV


Context

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

23

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.


Commentary

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.

God rescues from false teachers. 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 rescues from false teachers 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 Delivered from your hand warn against mixing biblical faith with cultural superstitions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְקָרַעְתִּ֞י1 of 16

also will I tear

H7167

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

אֶת2 of 16
H853

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

מִסְפְּחֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם3 of 16

Your kerchiefs

H4555

a veil (as spread out)

וְהִצַּלְתִּ֤י4 of 16

and deliver

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶת5 of 16
H853

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

עַמִּי֙6 of 16

my people

H5971

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

בְּיֶדְכֶ֖ן7 of 16

and they shall be no more in your hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְלֹֽא8 of 16
H3808

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

יִהְי֥וּ9 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ע֛וֹד10 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּיֶדְכֶ֖ן11 of 16

and they shall be no more in your hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לִמְצוּדָ֑ה12 of 16

to be hunted

H4686

a fastness

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ן13 of 16

and ye shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי14 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י15 of 16
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 16

that I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 13:21 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 13:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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