To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 13:16KJV
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Ezekiel 13:16 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:16 mean?

Ezekiel 13:16 describes how certain prophets in Israel falsely claimed to see visions of peace for Jerusalem, even though there was no real peace, as declared by the Lord GOD. The verse points out that these prophets misled the people by promising safety and calm when, in reality, trouble was coming.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel about prophets who claimed to have messages from God about Jerusalem’s future. These prophets said they saw visions (claims of divine insight) that promised peace (safety and well-being), but God makes it clear that their messages were false. The context is a time of crisis, with Jerusalem under threat, and these false prophets were giving people a false sense of security.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:16

  • "prophets" (נָבִיא, navi’): This word refers to those who claim to speak for God. Here, it highlights that not everyone who claims to be a prophet is actually delivering God’s message.
  • "see" (חָזָה, chazah) and "visions" (חָזוֹן, chazon): Both words are related to seeing or perceiving something supernaturally. The verse suggests these prophets claimed to have supernatural insight, but their visions were not from God.
  • "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word means more than just the absence of conflict; it includes ideas of wholeness, safety, and well-being. The false prophets were promising a complete, secure peace that did not exist.

Why Ezekiel 13:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not all spiritual leaders or prophets truly speak for God, even if they sound convincing or comforting.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 shows the danger of listening to messages that promise comfort without truth, especially in times of crisis.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Ezekiel is exposing false prophets and stressing the importance of genuine, truthful prophecy over wishful thinking or deception.

Where else these words appear

“see” Hebrew H2374 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 24:11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
  • 2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

“visions” 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.

“prophesy” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;