Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

EZEKIEL 13:17KJV
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Ezekiel 13:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:17 mean?

Ezekiel 13:17 records God’s instruction to Ezekiel to speak against women among his people who claim to deliver messages from God but speak from their own hearts. Ezekiel is to confront what they are saying rather than treat their words as a message from God.

The phrase “set thy face against” pictures a firm, deliberate opposition. After addressing male prophets earlier in the passage, Ezekiel now turns to women who also claim to speak as prophets.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:17

  • “heart” — לֵב (lev): The word can refer to a person’s inner thoughts and intentions, not just feelings. Here, “out of their own heart” points to the source of the women’s messages: their own minds.
  • “prophesy” — נָבָא (nava): The word refers to speaking as a prophet. The verse uses the same word for the women’s activity and for Ezekiel’s task, while presenting their sources as different.

Why Ezekiel 13:17 matters

  • The verse focuses on the source of the messages, not simply on the speakers being women. The charge is that they “prophesy out of their own heart.”
  • The words “thy people” place these women among Ezekiel’s own people. His message is directed toward members of that community.
  • The following verses give more detail about the practices behind the charge. Ezekiel 13:18–19 describes the women making bands and veils and misleading people for handfuls of barley and pieces of bread.

Where else these words appear

“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;