Ezekiel Chapter 13 · Verse 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,
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
Likewise thou son
H1121
בֶן
Likewise thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֗ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 12
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שִׂ֤ים
set
H7760
שִׂ֤ים
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
thy face
H6440
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙
thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּנ֣וֹת
against the daughters
H1323
בְּנ֣וֹת
against the daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
7 of 12
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
עַמְּךָ֔
of thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֔
of thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְהִנָּבֵ֖א
and prophesy
H5012
וְהִנָּבֵ֖א
and prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
9 of 12
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
מִֽלִּבְּהֶ֑ן
out of their own heart
H3820
מִֽלִּבְּהֶ֑ן
out of their own heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 12
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Ezekiel 13:2Son 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;Revelation 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.2 Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.Judges 4:4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.Luke 2:36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Historical Context
Historical context shows various superstitious practices in pre-exilic Israel combining folk religion with claims of Yahwistic authority. Archaeological evidence includes amulets, magical texts, and fertility cult objects showing syncretism. These practices promised protection or blessing through human technique rather than covenant faithfulness, directly violating first and second commandments. Female false prophets condemned within this cultural context of widespread religious syncretism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this condemnation challenge modern attempts to manipulate God through religious techniques?
- What does Daughters prophesying teach about the difference between faith and superstition?
- In what ways might contemporary Christianity compromise biblical faith with cultural superstitions?
Analysis & 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.
The Hebrew terminology indicates concrete practices that promised protection or favor through human manipulation rather than covenant obedience. These represent attempts to control or manipulate divine blessing through ritual or magical means rather than submission to God's revealed will. Such practices directly violated monotheistic faith.
From a Reformed perspective, this warns against any attempt to manipulate God through religious practices divorced from heart obedience. Female false prophets condemned. True relationship with God requires faith in His promises and submission to His commands, not manipulative rituals or techniques.