Ezekiel 13:9
And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיְתָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יָדִ֗י
And mine hand
H3027
יָדִ֗י
And mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 27
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
הַנְּבִיאִ֞ים
shall be upon the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִיאִ֞ים
shall be upon the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
4 of 27
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הַחֹזִ֣ים
that see
H2374
הַחֹזִ֣ים
that see
Strong's:
H2374
Word #:
5 of 27
a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)
שָׁוְא֮
vanity
H7723
שָׁוְא֮
vanity
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
6 of 27
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
וְהַקֹּסְמִ֣ים
and that divine
H7080
וְהַקֹּסְמִ֣ים
and that divine
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
בְּס֧וֹד
they shall not be in the assembly
H5475
בְּס֧וֹד
they shall not be in the assembly
Strong's:
H5475
Word #:
9 of 27
a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְי֗וּ
H1961
יִהְי֗וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּבִכְתָ֤ב
in the writing
H3791
וּבִכְתָ֤ב
in the writing
Strong's:
H3791
Word #:
13 of 27
something written, i.e., a writing, record or book
בֵּֽית
of the house
H1004
בֵּֽית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ
neither shall they be written
H3789
יִכָּתֵ֔בוּ
neither shall they be written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
17 of 27
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
20 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 27
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָבֹ֑אוּ
neither shall they enter
H935
יָבֹ֑אוּ
neither shall they enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
22 of 27
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וִידַעְתֶּ֕ם
and ye shall know
H3045
וִידַעְתֶּ֕ם
and ye shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
23 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.Psalms 87:6The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.Ezekiel 20:38And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.Ezra 2:59And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
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. Judgment removes false teachers 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 Excluded from assembly teach about the difference between faith and superstition?
- In what ways might contemporary Christianity compromise biblical faith with cultural superstitions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses false prophecy related to Excluded from assembly. 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. Judgment removes false teachers. True relationship with God requires faith in His promises and submission to His commands, not manipulative rituals or techniques.