Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

EZEKIEL 13:11KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 13:11 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:11 mean?

Ezekiel 13:11 warns that those who cover up weak or faulty work with "untempered mortar" will see it collapse when storms come, describing a coming judgment that will expose and destroy what is not truly solid. The verse uses the image of a wall poorly built and then covered up, saying that rain, hail, and wind will bring it down.

In this verse, God speaks through Ezekiel to false prophets in Israel who have been misleading the people with false assurances. The "untempered mortar" refers to their empty promises, which cannot withstand real trouble. The verse is part of a larger warning that their lies and false security will not protect anyone when God's judgment arrives.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:11

  • "Daub" (טָחַת, tachath): This word means to smear or plaster, especially over a wall. Here, it points to the act of covering up flaws rather than fixing them, highlighting the false prophets' deceptive work.
  • "Untempered" (תָּפֵל, taphel): This word refers to something that is untempered or not properly mixed—like mortar without the right ingredients. It suggests that the prophets' assurances are weak and unreliable, not able to hold up under pressure.
  • "Rend" (בָּקַע, baqa): This word means to split or tear apart. The verse says the stormy wind will "rend" the wall, making clear that the coming trouble will completely break through the false security.

Why Ezekiel 13:11 matters

  • Ezekiel 13:11 clarifies that God is not fooled by outward appearances or empty words; what is weak and false will be exposed by real trials.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that false prophets are not just harmlessly mistaken—they are actively endangering others by building on lies.
  • The vivid picture of a wall collapsing in a storm helps readers understand the seriousness of trusting in anything that is not truly solid, especially when it comes to spiritual or moral foundations.

Where else these words appear

“hailstones” Hebrew H417 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 13:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
  • Ezekiel 38:22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

“untempered” Hebrew H8602 · used in 7 verses

  • Job 6:6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
  • Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
  • Ezekiel 13:15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

“daub” Hebrew H2902 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 14:42 And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
  • Ezekiel 13:12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

“ye” Hebrew H859 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Genesis 24:23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
  • Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?