Ezekiel 13:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:20 mean?

Ezekiel 13:20 says that God is against the false practices of certain people who use "pillows" to hunt souls and make them "fly," and that He will put a stop to their actions, freeing those they have trapped. The verse uses vivid language to describe how God will rescue people from spiritual deception or manipulation.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to condemn false prophets—especially women—who were using magical objects (called "pillows" in the King James Version) as part of deceptive rituals. The setting is ancient Israel during a time of spiritual confusion, and the verse warns that God will not allow these false prophets to continue misleading or controlling people.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:20

• "pillows" (כְּסָתוֹת, kesatot): This word refers to some kind of fabric or amulet used in rituals, not pillows as we think of them today. The exact object is unclear, but it suggests a tool of superstition or magic.
• "hunt" (צּוּד, tsud): This word means to trap or ensnare, showing that the false prophets were actively trying to capture people spiritually, not just passively misleading them.
• "souls" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word means "life" or "person," emphasizing that real people were being affected, not just abstract ideas.
• "fly" (פָּרַח, parach): This word can mean "to fly" or "to flutter," and here it likely refers to the idea of making souls escape or be set loose, possibly through magical means.

Why Ezekiel 13:20 matters

• Ezekiel 13:20 clears up that the "pillows" are not ordinary cushions but objects used in superstitious or magical practices, which God strongly opposes.
• The verse highlights how spiritual deception can be active and harmful, not just a matter of mistaken belief but of deliberate manipulation.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, where Ezekiel exposes false prophets and their dangerous influence, showing that God cares deeply about protecting people from spiritual harm.