They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

EZEKIEL 13:6KJV
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Ezekiel 13:6 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:6 mean?

Ezekiel 13:6 says that certain people have claimed to receive visions and messages from God, but these are false—they have seen only emptiness and lies, yet they assure others that their words come from the LORD even though God has not sent them. These false prophets give people false hope by pretending their messages are truly from God.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, specifically addressing the issue of false prophets in their midst. These individuals are accused of making up messages ("vanity and lying divination") and misleading others by claiming divine authority. The verse highlights the danger of trusting those who say "The LORD saith" without actually being sent by God, and how this leads others to hope for confirmation of something that is not truly from God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:6

  • "vanity" (שָׁוְא, shav'): This word means emptiness, worthlessness, or futility. Here, it emphasizes that the visions the false prophets claim to see have no substance or truth.
  • "lying" (כָּזָב, kazav): This word means falsehood or deception. It underlines that the divination or messages are not just empty, but actively untrue.
  • "divination" (קֶסֶם, qesem): This refers to attempts to predict the future or gain secret knowledge, often associated with forbidden or pagan practices. The use of this word shows that these prophets are not just mistaken, but are engaging in practices God has warned against.
  • "hope" (יָחַל, yachal): This word means to wait for or expect. The verse points out that the false prophets cause others to expect that their words will be confirmed, deepening the deception.

Why Ezekiel 13:6 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that anyone who claims to speak for God is automatically trustworthy; it warns that some may speak lies or empty words while claiming divine authority.
  • Ezekiel 13:6 highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders and the real harm caused when people are led to hope in something God has not promised.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage where God, through Ezekiel, is exposing and condemning false prophets, making it clear that true messages from God cannot be manufactured or faked.

Where else these words appear

“divination” 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.

“lying” Hebrew H3577 · used in 31 verses

  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

“hope” Hebrew H3176 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 8:12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
  • Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
  • Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

“seen” 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: