Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 13:8KJV
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Ezekiel 13:8 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 13:8 mean?

Ezekiel 13:8 is God’s declaration against false prophets in Israel who have been spreading empty and deceptive messages. Because these prophets have spoken what is worthless and claimed to see visions that are lies, God announces that He is directly opposed to them.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to address people in Israel who claim to speak for Him but actually deliver false prophecies. The situation is one of spiritual crisis, where leaders are misleading the people with messages that do not come from God. God’s words here are a strong warning that He will not tolerate such deception and that He holds these false prophets accountable.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 13:8

  • "vanity" (שָׁוְא, shav’): This word means emptiness, worthlessness, or something that has no substance. Here, it highlights that the messages from the false prophets are not just incorrect, but completely without value.
  • "lies" (כָּזָב, kazav): This word refers to deliberate falsehoods or deception. The verse emphasizes that the visions claimed by these prophets are not just mistakes, but intentional untruths.
  • "I am against you" (declared twice by "saith the Lord GOD"—נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, ne’um Adonai YHWH): This phrase is a formal and weighty announcement, underscoring the seriousness of God’s opposition.

Why Ezekiel 13:8 matters

  • Ezekiel 13:8 clarifies that God distinguishes between true and false messages, and He holds those who mislead others in His name personally responsible.
  • The verse shows that not all who claim to speak for God are genuine, warning readers to be discerning about spiritual claims.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up God’s judgment against false prophets, which continues in the following verses with specific consequences for their actions.

Where else these words appear

“lies” 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 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

“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:

“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;