Ezekiel 13:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
שָׁ֚וְא
no more vanity
H7723
שָׁ֚וְא
no more vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
2 of 16
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֶחֱזֶ֔ינָה
Therefore ye shall see
H2372
תֶחֱזֶ֔ינָה
Therefore ye shall see
Strong's:
H2372
Word #:
4 of 16
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
וְקֶ֖סֶם
divinations
H7081
וְקֶ֖סֶם
divinations
Strong's:
H7081
Word #:
5 of 16
a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִקְסַ֣מְנָה
nor divine
H7080
תִקְסַ֣מְנָה
nor divine
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וְהִצַּלְתִּ֤י
for I will deliver
H5337
וְהִצַּלְתִּ֤י
for I will deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
9 of 16
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּי֙
my people
H5971
עַמִּי֙
my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִיֶּדְכֶ֔ן
out of your hand
H3027
מִיֶּדְכֶ֔ן
out of your hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 16
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
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ן
and ye shall know
H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֖ן
and ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
13 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Ezekiel 13:21Your 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 12:24For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.Micah 3:6Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.Ezekiel 34:10Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
Historical Context
The specific practices condemned reflect ancient Near Eastern religious syncretism mixing Yahwism with pagan divination, magic, and superstition. False prophets silenced in judgment 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 Shall see no more vanity 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 Shall see no more vanity. 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 prophets silenced in judgment. 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.