Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:

EZEKIEL 11:2KJV
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Ezekiel 11:2 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 11:2 mean?

Ezekiel 11:2 describes how God points out to Ezekiel a group of men in Jerusalem who are plotting evil and giving harmful advice to the people in the city. These men are singled out as responsible for leading others astray through their plans and counsel.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, calling him "son of man" and identifying certain leaders in Jerusalem as those who "devise mischief" and "give wicked counsel." The verse highlights that the trouble in the city is not random; it is being stirred up by specific people whose influence is corrupting the community.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 11:2

  • "Devise" (חָשַׁב, chashav) means to plan or plot. In this context, it shows that the men are not just passively allowing evil but are actively scheming it.
  • "Mischief" (אָוֶן, aven) often refers to trouble, wickedness, or injustice. The word emphasizes the harmful and unjust nature of their plans.
  • "Give" (יָעַץ, ya‘ats) means to advise or counsel. This highlights that their influence comes through their words and guidance, not just their actions.
  • "Wicked" (רַע, ra‘) means evil or bad. Paired with "counsel" (עֵצָה, ‘etsah), it stresses that their advice is not just unwise but morally wrong.

Why Ezekiel 11:2 matters

  • Ezekiel 11:2 clarifies that the problems in Jerusalem are not just due to outside forces or fate, but are caused by influential leaders making deliberate, harmful choices.
  • The verse sets up a contrast between God's guidance and the "wicked counsel" of these men, making it clear that not all advice or leadership is trustworthy.
  • This verse helps the reader understand the seriousness of corrupt leadership and the responsibility of those who influence a community's direction.

Where else these words appear

“give” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

“mischief” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

“counsel” Hebrew H6098 · used in 85 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
  • Job 21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
  • Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

“devise” Hebrew H2803 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
  • Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.