Ezekiel – Chapter 13

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Ezekiel 13 opens with the words: "And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:" Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

2Son of man, prophesy thou against the prophets of Israel that prophesy: and thou shalt say to them that prophesy out of their own heart: Hear ye the word of the Lord:

3Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit, and see nothing.

4Thy prophets, O Israel, were like foxes in the deserts.

5You have not gone up to face the enemy, nor have you set up a wall for the house of Israel, to stand in battle in the day of the Lord.

6They see vain things, and they foretell lies, saying: The Lord saith: whereas the Lord hath not sent them: and they have persisted to confirm what they have said.

7Have you not seen a vain vision and spoken a lying divination: and you say: The Lord saith: whereas I have not spoken.

8Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Because you have spoken vain things, and have seen lies: therefore behold I come against you, saith the Lord God.

9And my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vain things, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, nor shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.

10Because they have deceived my people, saying: Peace, and there is no peace: and the people built up a wall, and they daubed it with dirt without straw.

11Say to them that daub without tempering, that it shall fall: for there shall be an overflowing shower, and I will cause great hailstones to fall violently from above, and a stormy wind to throw it down.

12Behold, when the wall is fallen: shall it not be said to you: Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?

13Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Lo, I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in my indignation, and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger: and great hailstones in my wrath to consume.

14And I will break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar: and I will make it even with the ground, and the foundation thereof shall be laid bare: and it shall fall, and shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

15And I will accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that daub it without tempering the mortar, and I will say to you: The wall is no more, and they that daub it are no more.

16Even the prophets of Israel that prophesy to Jerusalem, and that see visions of peace for her: and there is no peace, saith the Lord God.

17And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people that prophesy out of their own heart: and do thou prophesy against them,

18And say: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to them that sew cushions under every elbow: and make pillows for the heads of persons of every age to catch souls: and when they caught the souls of my people, they gave life to their souls.

19And they violated me among my people, for a handful of barley, and a piece of bread, to kill souls which should not die, and to save souls alive which should not live, telling lies to my people that believe lies.

20Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I declare against your cushions, wherewith you catch flying souls: and I will tear them off from your arms: and I will let go the soul that you catch, the souls that should fly.

21And I will tear your pillows, and will deliver my people out of your hand, neither shall they be any more in your hands to be a prey: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

22Because with lies you have made the heart of the just to mourn, whom I have not made sorrowful: and have strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his evil way, and live.

23Therefore you shall not see vain things, nor divine divinations any more, and I will deliver my people out of your hand: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

Important Verses in Ezekiel 13

Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit, and see nothing.

Ezekiel 13:3

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Because you have spoken vain things, and have seen lies: therefore behold I come against you, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 13:8

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Lo, I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in my indignation, and there shall be an overflowing shower in my anger: and great hailstones in my wrath to consume.

Ezekiel 13:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I declare against your cushions, wherewith you catch flying souls: and I will tear them off from your arms: and I will let go the soul that you catch, the souls that should fly.

Ezekiel 13:20

Historical Context

Ezekiel belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles in Babylon, moved from despair to hope of restoration. Chapter 13 of 48 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:" It concludes: "Therefore you shall not see vain things, nor divine divinations any more, and I will deliver my people out of your…" Read against its original backdrop, Ezekiel was deported to Babylon in 597 BC and prophesied among the exiles through astonishing visions: God's throne-chariot, the departure of His glory from the Temple, the valley of dry bones brought to life, and a new… Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Ezekiel around About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile

When It Was Written

About 593-571 BC, in Babylon

Catholic Commentary

The prophet addresses Israel with a message rooted in covenant fidelity and the hope of restoration. A pivotal line is verse 3: "Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit, and see nothing." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

Catholic exegesis reads Ezekiel 13 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Ezekiel's visions inform Catholic understanding of heaven and liturgy (CIC 1137). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 133).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Ezekiel Chapter 13 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Ezekiel Chapter 13. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 461).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of stewardship of creation bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ezekiel Chapter 13 about?

Ezekiel 13 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:" and closes with "Therefore you shall not see vain things, nor divine divinations any more, and I will deliver my people out of your…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and oracles.

What is a key verse in Ezekiel 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit, and see nothing." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Ezekiel and when?

The prophet Ezekiel, priest and exile. About 593-571 BC, in Babylon.

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