Ezekiel 13:6
New International Version
Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the LORD has not sent them, they say, “The LORD declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.

New Living Translation
Instead, they have told lies and made false predictions. They say, ‘This message is from the LORD,’ even though the LORD never sent them. And yet they expect him to fulfill their prophecies!

English Standard Version
They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.

Berean Standard Bible
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.

King James Bible
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

New King James Version
They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.

New American Standard Bible
They see deceit and lying divination, those who are saying, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word!

NASB 1995
“They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.

NASB 1977
“They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.

Legacy Standard Bible
They behold worthlessness and lying divination who are saying, ‘Yahweh declares,’ when Yahweh has not sent them; yet they wait for the establishing of their word.

Amplified Bible
They have seen falsehood and lying divination, saying, ‘The LORD says,’ but the LORD has not sent them. Yet they hope and make men to hope for the confirmation of their word.

Christian Standard Bible
They saw false visions and their divinations were a lie. They claimed, “This is the LORD’s declaration,” when the LORD did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘This is the LORD’s declaration,’ when the LORD did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.

American Standard Version
They have seen falsehood and lying divination, that say, Jehovah saith; but Jehovah hath not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.

Contemporary English Version
Those prophets lie by claiming they speak for me, but I have not even chosen them to be my prophets. And they still think their words will come true.

English Revised Version
They have seen vanity and lying divination, that say, The LORD saith; and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word should be confirmed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These foolish prophets see false visions, and their predictions don't come true. They say, "The LORD said this." But the LORD hasn't sent them. Then they hope that their message will come true.

Good News Translation
Their visions are false, and their predictions are lies. They claim that they are speaking my message, but I have not sent them. Yet they expect their words to come true!

International Standard Version
Instead, they crafted false prophecies and divination. "'They say, "…declares the LORD," even though the LORD didn't send them. And they hope for the fulfillment of their message.

Majority Standard Bible
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ?Thus declares the LORD,? when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.

NET Bible
They see delusion and their omens are a lie. They say, "the LORD declares," though the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their word to be confirmed.

New Heart English Bible
They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, "The LORD says"; but the LORD has not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.

Webster's Bible Translation
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

World English Bible
They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, ‘Yahweh says;’ but Yahweh has not sent them. They have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They have seen vanity, and lying divination, "" Who are saying: A declaration of YHWH, "" And YHWH has not sent them, "" And they have hoped to establish a word.

Young's Literal Translation
They have seen vanity, and lying divination, Who are saying: An affirmation of Jehovah, And Jehovah hath not sent them, And they have hoped to establish a word.

Smith's Literal Translation
They saw vanity and a divination of falsehood, saying, says Jehovah: and Jehovah sent them not: and they waited to raise up the word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They see vain things, and they foretell lies, saying: The Lord saith: whereas the Lord hath not sent them: and they have persisted to confirm what they have said.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They see emptiness, and they foretell falsehoods, saying, ‘The Lord says,’ though the Lord has not sent them. And they continued to affirm what they said.

New American Bible
False visions! Lying divinations! They say, “The oracle of the LORD,” even though the LORD did not send them. Then they expect their word to be confirmed!

New Revised Standard Version
They have envisioned falsehood and lying divination; they say, “Says the LORD,” when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For they say, Thus says the LORD; and the LORD has not sent them; and they persist in confirming a false word.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For they say, ‘Thus says LORD JEHOVAH’, and LORD JEHOVAH has not sent them, and they begin to affirm a lying word
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They have seen vanity and lying divination, that say: The LORD saith; and the LORD hath not sent them, yet they hope that the word would be confirmed!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In the day of the Lord, have not stood, seeing false visions, prophesying vanities, who say, The Lord saith, and the Lord has not sent them, and they began to try to confirm the word.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reproof of False Prophets
5You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD. 6They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. 7Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Jeremiah 23:21
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

Deuteronomy 18:20
But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jeremiah 23:25-26
“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ / How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Jeremiah 6:14
They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.


Treasury of Scripture

They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD said: and the LORD has not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

have seen

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.

Ezekiel 12:23,24
Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision…

Ezekiel 22:28
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

lying

Ezekiel 21:23,29
And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken…

Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jeremiah 29:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

saying

Ezekiel 13:7
Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

Jeremiah 23:31,32
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith…

Jeremiah 28:2,15
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon…

made

Ezekiel 13:22
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:

1 Kings 22:6,27,37
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king…

Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

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Ezekiel 13
1. The reproof of false prophets
10. and their untempered mortar
17. Of prophecies and their pillows














They see false visions
The Hebrew word for "false" is "shav," which means emptiness or vanity. In the context of Ezekiel, these false visions are not just incorrect but are devoid of divine truth and substance. Historically, false prophets were a significant problem in Israel, leading people away from God's true message. The phrase underscores the danger of relying on human imagination rather than divine revelation. It serves as a warning to discern the authenticity of spiritual experiences and teachings.

and speak lying divinations
The term "lying" comes from the Hebrew "kazab," meaning deceit or falsehood. "Divinations" refers to attempts to gain insight or knowledge through supernatural means, often associated with pagan practices. In ancient Israel, divination was strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This phrase highlights the deceitful nature of the false prophets who claimed to have divine insight but were actually leading people astray with their fabrications. It emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's truth rather than human deception.

They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’
This phrase is a direct affront to the authority of God. The false prophets were using the divine name to lend credibility to their messages. The Hebrew phrase "ne'um Yahweh" is a solemn declaration used by true prophets to convey God's words. By falsely claiming divine authority, these prophets were not only misleading the people but also profaning the sacred name of God. This serves as a caution against using God's name to endorse personal agendas or false teachings.

when the LORD did not send them
The Hebrew word for "send" is "shalach," which implies being commissioned or authorized. True prophets were sent by God with a specific mission and message. The false prophets, however, acted on their own initiative without divine commissioning. This phrase underscores the importance of being truly called and sent by God in any ministry or prophetic role. It reminds believers to seek confirmation of God's calling and to be wary of self-appointed leaders.

yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message
The word "wait" in Hebrew is "qavah," which can mean to hope or expect. Despite their falsehoods, these prophets anticipated that their predictions would come true, perhaps through coincidence or manipulation. This reflects a misguided confidence in their own words rather than in God's truth. It serves as a reminder that true hope and expectation should be rooted in God's promises, not in human fabrications. Believers are encouraged to place their trust in the certainty of God's word rather than in the uncertain predictions of false prophets.

(6) They have made others to hope.--Omit the word "others," which is not in the original, and translate, "The Lord hath not sent them that they should hope"--i.e., they have no ground to expect that their prophecies will prove true, because they have no warrant for uttering them.

EXCURSUS D: ON CHAPTER 13:6, 7, AND 17.

In these verses a broad and crucial distinction is made between the self-imagined vision and that which is sent from the Lord. It may be that in this case the prophets and prophetesses were untrue to their own convictions, and wilfully declared what they knew to be false; or it may be that they simply uttered as God's message that which they had persuaded themselves would be the issue. This point is not entirely clear from the passage, and is of secondary importance. What deserves to be carefully noted is the difference here made between subjective views of truth--that which conies "out of their own heart"--and those objective communications which God gave to His true prophets. This distinction has a most important bearing upon the whole subject of revelation, and establishes clearly the fact that the Scriptures look upon it as something expressly communicated to their writers, and not as a thing which could be the result of their own thought and reflection. He, therefore, who puts "Thus saith the Lord" before that which God has not in some objective way made known to him, must fall under the condemnation pronounced here and elsewhere upon "the prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak" (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Verse 6. - The Lord saith. The verb is that specially used for the utterance of prophets, and the deceivers used it without the authority of a true mission. For they have made others (or, men) to hope, etc., as in the Authorized Version and Revised Version, read, with the margin of Revised Version, they hope to confirm their word, taking the verb as in Psalm 119:43, 49; Job 6:11, et al.). So the Vulgate, persereraverunt confirmare. Through deceiving others, they came to deceive themselves, and were really expecting a fulfilment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They see
חָ֤זוּ (ḥā·zū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2372: To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of

false visions
שָׁוְא֙ (šāw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness

and speak lying
כָּזָ֔ב (kā·zāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

divinations.
וְקֶ֣סֶם (wə·qe·sem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7081: A lot, divination, oracle

They claim,
הָאֹֽמְרִים֙ (hā·’ō·mə·rîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Thus declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,”
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

when the LORD
וַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

did not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

send them;
שְׁלָחָ֑ם (šə·lā·ḥām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

yet they wait
וְיִֽחֲל֖וּ (wə·yi·ḥă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope

for the fulfillment
לְקַיֵּ֥ם (lə·qay·yêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

of their message.
דָּבָֽר׃ (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen falsehood and lying divination (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 13:5
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