Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

EZEKIEL 13:23KJV
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Ezekiel 13:23 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:23 mean?

Ezekiel 13:23 says that false visions and deceptive predictions will come to an end because God promises to rescue His people from those who mislead them, making it clear that He alone is the true LORD. This verse is a declaration that God will stop the influence of false prophets and show everyone His power and authority.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn people in Jerusalem about false prophets who were spreading lies and false hopes. The situation is tense, as many were claiming to speak for God but were actually deceiving the people. God assures the people that He will act to free them from these deceivers, and as a result, everyone will recognize who He truly is.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:23

  • "vanity" (שָׁוְא, shav’): This word means emptiness, falsehood, or something worthless. Here, it points to the empty promises and lies of the false prophets.
  • "divine" (קָסַם, qasam) and "divinations" (קֶסֶם, qesem): These words refer to attempts at predicting the future or giving messages supposedly from God, but done in a deceptive or superstitious way. God is saying these false spiritual practices will stop.
  • "deliver" (נָצַל, natsal): This verb means to snatch away or rescue. God promises to actively save His people from the harmful grip of the false prophets.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, "hand" often means power or control. God is saying He will take His people out of the control of those misleading them.
  • "know" (יָדַע, yada’): This word means more than just knowing a fact; it means to recognize or experience personally. God’s intervention will make His identity unmistakable to everyone.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His unique authority and covenant relationship with His people.

Why Ezekiel 13:23 matters

  • Ezekiel 13:23 clarifies that God does not tolerate spiritual deception and will act to protect His people from those who claim to speak for Him falsely.
  • The verse highlights that God’s rescue is not just physical but also spiritual—He is freeing the people from misleading beliefs and influences.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel 13, where God confronts false prophets, showing that true knowledge of God comes from His actions, not from human claims.

Where else these words appear

“divinations” Hebrew H7081 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
  • 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
  • Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

“divine” Hebrew H7080 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
  • Isaiah 3:2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
  • Ezekiel 21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

“see” Hebrew H2372 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
  • Psalms 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
  • Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

“vanity” 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;