Ezekiel 13:4
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
3 This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, yet have seen nothing.
Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins.
5 You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD.
6 They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins.
- KJV
- O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
- WEB
- Israel, your prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.
- ASV
- O Israel, thy prophets have been like foxes in the waste places.
- DARBY
- O Israel, thy prophets have been like foxes in desert places.
- BLB
- Like jackals among the ruins, your prophets, O Israel, have become.
- ÅB
- Som rever blant ruiner er dine profeter, Israel!
- OTB
- Dine profeter, Israel, er som sjakaler blant ruinene.
- B1930
- Som rever blandt ruiner er dine profeter, Israel!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Read in contextTitus 1:10–12
For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
Read in contextRevelation 13:11–14
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
Read in context2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Read in contextMicah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
Read in contextMicah 2:11
If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!
Read in contextRomans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Read in contextGalatians 2:4
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Read in context