King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 13:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 13:22 in the King James Version says “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of t... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 13:22 · KJV


Context

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 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.

False teaching harms the faithful. 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. False teaching harms the faithful 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 Made sad the righteous warn against mixing biblical faith with cultural superstitions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יַ֣עַן1 of 16
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

הַכְא֤וֹת2 of 16

sad

H3512

to despond; causatively, to deject

לֵב3 of 16

ye have made the heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

צַדִּיק֙4 of 16

of the righteous

H6662

just

שֶׁ֔קֶר5 of 16

Because with lies

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

וַאֲנִ֖י6 of 16
H589

i

לֹ֣א7 of 16
H3808

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

הִכְאַבְתִּ֑יו8 of 16

whom I have not made sad

H3510

properly, to feel pain; by implication, to grieve; figuratively, to spoil

וּלְחַזֵּק֙9 of 16

and strengthened

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

יְדֵ֣י10 of 16

the hands

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

רָשָׁ֔ע11 of 16

of the wicked

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לְבִלְתִּי12 of 16
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שׁ֛וּב13 of 16

that he should not return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִדַּרְכּ֥וֹ14 of 16

way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָרָ֖ע15 of 16

from his wicked

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

לְהַחֲיֹתֽוֹ׃16 of 16

by promising him life

H2421

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


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 13:22 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 13:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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