Ezekiel 13:19
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?
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּחַלֶּלְ֨נָה
And will ye pollute
H2490
וַתְּחַלֶּלְ֨נָה
And will ye pollute
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
1 of 22
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
אֹתִ֜י
H853
אֹתִ֜י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְעַמִּ֖י
me among my people
H5971
לְעַמִּ֖י
me among my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֶחֶם֒
of bread
H3899
לֶחֶם֒
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
8 of 22
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
תְמוּתֶ֔נָה
that should not die
H4191
תְמוּתֶ֔נָה
that should not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
9 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
נְפָשׁ֖וֹת
the souls
H5315
נְפָשׁ֖וֹת
the souls
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְמוּתֶ֔נָה
that should not die
H4191
תְמוּתֶ֔נָה
that should not die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
13 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה
alive
H2421
תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה
alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
14 of 22
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
נְפָשׁ֖וֹת
the souls
H5315
נְפָשׁ֖וֹת
the souls
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה
alive
H2421
תִֽחְיֶ֑ינָה
alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
18 of 22
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
בְּכַ֨זֶּבְכֶ֔ם
by your lying
H3576
בְּכַ֨זֶּבְכֶ֔ם
by your lying
Strong's:
H3576
Word #:
19 of 22
to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively
לְעַמִּ֖י
me among my people
H5971
לְעַמִּ֖י
me among my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Proverbs 28:21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.Micah 3:5Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.Jeremiah 23:17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.Jeremiah 23:14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.Ezekiel 20:39As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.Ezekiel 22:26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does claiming God's authority for human opinions profane His name today?
- What responsibility does church leadership bear to protect believers from false teaching?
- In what ways does Profane me among my people warn against mixing biblical faith with cultural superstitions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.