Ezekiel 13:17-23 Meaning: Prophesying from Your Own Heart
17You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,
18and say, “The Lord Yahweh says: ‘Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all elbows and make veils for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people and save souls alive for yourselves?
19You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.’
20“Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against your magic bands, with which you hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms. I will let the souls fly free, even the souls whom you ensnare like birds.
21I will also tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand; and they will no longer be in your hand to be ensnared. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
22Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive.
23Therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.’”
17Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
18And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?
19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
23Therefore 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.
17And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
18and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the women that sew pillows upon all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and save souls alive for yourselves?
19And ye have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hearken unto lies.
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms; and I will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
22Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive;
23Therefore ye shall no more see false visions, nor divine divinations: and I will deliver my people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
17And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, who are prophesying out of their own heart, and prophesy concerning them,
18And thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Woe to those sowing pillows for all joints of the arm, And to those making the kerchiefs For the head of every stature--to hunt souls, The souls do ye hunt of My people? And the souls ye have do ye keep alive?
19Yea, ye pierce Me concerning My people, For handfuls of barley, And for pieces of bread, to put to death Souls that should not die, And to keep alive souls that should not live, By your lying to My people--hearkening to lies.
20Therefore, thus said the Lord Jehovah: Lo, I am against your pillows, With which ye are hunting there the souls of the flourishing, And I have rent them from off your arms, And have sent away the souls that ye are hunting, The souls of the flourishing.
21And I have torn your kerchiefs, And delivered My people out of your hand, And they are no more in your hand for a prey, And ye have known that I am Jehovah.
22Because of paining the heart of the righteous with falsehood, And I have not pained it, And strengthening the hands of the wicked, So as not to turn back from his evil way, To keep him alive,
23Therefore, vanity ye do not see, And divination ye do not divine again, And I have delivered My people out of your hand, And ye have known that I am Jehovah!'
17And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,
18and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the women that sew pillows for all wrists, and that make veils for the head [of persons] of every stature to catch souls! Will ye catch the souls of my people, and will ye save your own souls alive?
19And will ye profane me among my people for handfuls of barley and for morsels of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that listen to lying?
20Wherefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against your pillows, that the souls which ye catch by their means may fly away; and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, the souls that ye catch, that they may fly away.
21And I will tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I [am] Jehovah.
22Because with falsehood ye have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and have strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, to save his life:
23therefore ye shall no more see vanity, nor divine divinations; and I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean to prophesy from your own heart? In Ezekiel 13:17-23, God confronts false prophetesses who hunt souls for profit.
Context
Ezekiel prophesied during the exile, when Judah faced judgment for its sins. This passage is part of a larger condemnation of false prophets who speak from their own imagination. After addressing male prophets, God now turns to prophetesses, women who claimed divine authority but used occult practices like sewing magic bands and making veils to ensnare people. They offered false hope to the wicked and discouraged the righteous, all for small payments of barley and bread. God declares He will tear away their charms and deliver His people from their influence. The passage reminds us that God alone is the source of true prophecy, and He will not share His glory with those who speak lies in His name.
Key Words
The phrase prophesy out of their own heart is the key to this passage. The heart here isn't about emotion, it means the inner source of thought and will. These women invented messages from their own minds and claimed God sent them. That is the core of false prophecy: saying God said something He never said.
The verb hunt souls appears several times. It pictures trapping birds or prey. The false prophetesses weren't shepherding people, they were ensnaring them, using comfort and assurance to keep people dependent on their words.
The magic bands and veils were tangible objects used in pagan sorcery. Commentators like Barnes suggest they were charms placed on wrists and heads to create an appearance of spiritual power. By tearing these away, God shows that their authority was nothing but fabric and thread.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this passage as a warning against false prophecy that originates in human imagination. The early church used tests of doctrine and character to distinguish true from false prophets. Reformers like Calvin noted that these women were not legitimate prophetesses like Deborah or Huldah, who spoke God's actual words. Catholic commentators emphasize that authentic prophecy always aligns with God's revealed Word and is verified by the community of faith. Protestant readings focus on the danger of claiming God's authority for personal gain. All traditions agree that God protects His people from deception and calls them to discernment.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think prophesy out of their own heart means the women were simply uninspired or mistaken, but not necessarily sinful. In fact, the phrase indicates willful deception: they intentionally invented messages and claimed God sent them. They profaned God's name for personal profit. This is not just a misunderstanding, it is a serious sin that leads others astray.
Living This Out
This week, pay attention to the voices that influence you. The false prophetesses told people what they wanted to hear, offering easy peace and assurance for a price. When you listen to a sermon, read a Christian post, or even talk with a friend, ask yourself: is this message rooted in Scripture, or is it telling me what I already want to believe? True prophecy often challenges before it comforts. Let God's word speak honestly to your life, even when it is hard to hear. That is how you stay free from the soul-hunters.
Main takeaway: God opposes those who speak their own words in His name, and He will free His people from every lie that ensnares them.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people in the Bible said they had messages from God, but they were only making things up. God was angry because they tricked people. God promised to set His people free from these lies.
For ages 9, 12
In Ezekiel's time, some women pretended to speak for God. They used magic charms and told people what they wanted to hear, just to get food and money. God said He would stop them and rescue His people. This teaches us to be careful about who we listen to. Always check if what someone says matches what God has already said in the Bible.
Questions People Ask
Who were the false prophetesses in Ezekiel 13?
They were women in Israel who claimed to speak for God but were not truly sent by Him. They used sorcery and occult practices to deceive people, promising safety and peace for small payments. God condemned them for leading His people astray.
What are the 'magic bands' and 'veils' in Ezekiel 13:18?
These were objects used in pagan divination. The bands were likely worn on wrists or elbows, and veils on the head, as symbols of their supposed power. They were tools to entice people and give false assurance. God says He will tear them away.
Why does God say He will 'tear' the bands and veils?
God's action shows He is directly opposing their deception. By tearing these objects, He renders their pretended power useless. This is a promise of deliverance for His people and judgment on the false prophetesses.
What does it mean to 'hunt souls' in this passage?
It means to trap or ensnare people, like a hunter catches birds. The false prophetesses were not leading people to God; they were exploiting them for their own gain. They 'hunted' the souls of God's people and tried to keep them in bondage to lies.
How can we apply Ezekiel 13:17-23 today?
We learn to discern true from false teaching. Any message that consistently tells us what we want to hear, offers easy answers, or uses spiritual language for personal profit should be tested against Scripture. God calls us to love truth and resist deception.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study