For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

EZEKIEL 12:24KJV
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Ezekiel 12:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 12:24 mean?

Ezekiel 12:24 says that there will no longer be any empty or deceptive visions or flattering predictions among the people of Israel. God is declaring an end to false messages and misleading prophecies that had been common in Israel.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, who were living in exile. Many false prophets had been giving the people reassuring but untrue messages, claiming visions and divinations that did not come from God. Here, God promises that these misleading voices will be silenced, making it clear that only true messages from Him will stand.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 12:24

  • "vain" (שָׁוְא, shav'): This word means "empty," "worthless," or "false." It highlights that the visions being condemned are not just mistaken, but completely lacking in truth or value.
  • "flattering" (חָלַק, chalaq): This word carries the sense of smooth or seductive speech, often used to deceive or win favor. Here, it points out that the divinations were not just wrong, but designed to please or comfort the hearers rather than tell the truth.
  • "divination" (קֶסֶם, qesem): This term refers to attempts to predict the future or reveal hidden things through supernatural means, often associated with pagan practices. In this context, it shows that the people were turning to sources other than God for guidance.

Why Ezekiel 12:24 matters

  • Ezekiel 12:24 clears up the idea that all spiritual messages or visions are trustworthy; it shows that some can be completely false or manipulative.
  • This verse emphasizes that God will not allow His people to be led astray by comforting lies or false hopes, especially in times of crisis.
  • It connects to the wider message of Ezekiel, where God is exposing the difference between true and false prophecy, urging the people to listen only to what genuinely comes from Him.

Where else these words appear

“divination” Hebrew H4738 · used in 2 verses

  • 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?

“flattering” Hebrew H2509 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Proverbs 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
  • Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

“vision” Hebrew H2377 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
  • Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

“vain” Hebrew H7723 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
  • Psalms 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
  • Jeremiah 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;