Ezekiel 13:12
New International Version
When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

New Living Translation
And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘What happened to your whitewash?’

English Standard Version
And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the coating with which you smeared it?’

Berean Standard Bible
Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’

King James Bible
Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

New King James Version
Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?’ ”

New American Standard Bible
Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?’”

NASB 1995
“Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?’”

NASB 1977
“Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?’”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now behold, the wall will fall. Will it then not be said to you, ‘Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?’”

Amplified Bible
Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the coating with which you [prophets] plastered it?’”

Christian Standard Bible
When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, “Where’s the whitewash you plastered on it? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, ‘Where is the coat of whitewash that you put on it?”

American Standard Version
Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

Contemporary English Version
People will then ask the workers why the paint didn't hold it up.

English Revised Version
Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the wall falls down, people will ask them, "Where's the paint that you used to cover the wall?"

Good News Translation
The wall will collapse, and everyone will ask you what good the whitewash did."

International Standard Version
Look! When the wall collapses, won't it be said of you, 'Where's the coat of paint that you spread all over the wall?'

Majority Standard Bible
Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ?Where is the whitewash with which you covered it??

NET Bible
When the wall has collapsed, people will ask you, "Where is the whitewash you coated it with?"

New Heart English Bible
Look, when the wall has fallen, shall it not be said to you, 'Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?'

Webster's Bible Translation
Lo, when the wall hath fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the daubing with which ye have daubed it?

World English Bible
Behold, when the wall has fallen, won’t it be said to you, “Where is the plaster with which you have plastered it?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And behold, the wall has fallen! Does one not say to you, Where [is] the coating that you coated?

Young's Literal Translation
And lo, fallen hath the wall! Doth not one say unto you, Where is the daubing that ye daubed?

Smith's Literal Translation
And behold, the wall fell; shall it not be said to you, Where the plastering which ye plastered?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold, when the wall is fallen: shall it not be said to you: Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
So then, behold: when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you: ‘Where is the mortar with which you covered it?’

New American Bible
When the wall has fallen, will you not be asked: “Where is the whitewash you spread on it?”

New Revised Standard Version
When the wall falls, will it not be said to you, “Where is the whitewash you smeared on it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the wall shall be breached and shall fall; and it shall be said to you, Where is the mortar with which you daubed it?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it shall break open and the wall shall fall, and it shall be said to you: ‘Where is the plaster that you plastered?’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and, lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you: Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And lo! the wall has fallen; and will they not say to you, Where is your plaster wherewith ye plastered it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reproof of False Prophets
11tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. 12Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ 13Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:32
“Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

Jeremiah 6:14
They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Lamentations 2:14
The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.


Treasury of Scripture

See, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the daubing with which you have daubed it?

Where

Deuteronomy 32:37
And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

Judges 9:38
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

Judges 10:14
Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

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Ezekiel 13
1. The reproof of false prophets
10. and their untempered mortar
17. Of prophecies and their pillows














When the wall has fallen
The imagery of a wall in ancient times often symbolized protection and security. In the Hebrew context, the word for "wall" (חומה, "chomah") suggests a structure meant to safeguard a city or a people. The falling of the wall indicates a failure of protection, a collapse of false security. Historically, walls were critical for defense, and their fall would signify vulnerability and exposure to danger. Spiritually, this phrase warns against relying on false assurances and highlights the inevitable exposure of deceit.

will you not be asked
This phrase implies accountability and the inevitability of facing the truth. In the Hebrew tradition, questions often serve as a means of divine or prophetic inquiry, prompting self-reflection and repentance. The rhetorical nature of the question suggests that the answer is obvious, emphasizing the certainty of judgment and the need for introspection. It calls the people to consider their actions and the consequences of their misplaced trust.

‘Where is the whitewash
The term "whitewash" (תפל, "taphal") refers to a superficial covering, something that appears solid but lacks substance. In ancient construction, whitewash was used to make walls appear clean and sturdy, but it did not strengthen the structure. This metaphor highlights the deceit of false prophets who offer empty promises and false hope. Theologically, it serves as a warning against superficial spirituality and the danger of appearances without true faith.

with which you covered it?’
Covering the wall with whitewash symbolizes the act of concealing flaws and presenting a false sense of security. The Hebrew root suggests an act of hiding or disguising. This phrase challenges the people to recognize their complicity in accepting and perpetuating falsehoods. It underscores the futility of trying to hide the truth from God, who sees beyond outward appearances. In a broader scriptural context, it calls believers to seek genuine transformation rather than mere outward conformity.

(12) Where is the daubing?--The basis of all their false prophesying being destroyed by the coming judgments, the folly and falsehood of their words would be exposed to the eyes of all. As it is said in Ezekiel 13:14, the wall itself being thrown down to its very foundation, they who have tried to make the people trust in it shall be overwhelmed in its ruin.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Surely
וְהִנֵּ֖ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

when the wall
הַקִּ֑יר (haq·qîr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023: A wall

has fallen,
נָפַ֣ל (nā·p̄al)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

you will not
הֲלוֹא֙ (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be asked,
יֵאָמֵ֣ר (yê·’ā·mêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Where
אַיֵּ֥ה (’ay·yêh)
Interrogative
Strong's 346: Where?

is the whitewash
הַטִּ֖יחַ (haṭ·ṭî·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2915: Mortar, plaster

with which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you covered it?”’
טַחְתֶּֽם׃ (ṭaḥ·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2902: To overspread, overlay, coat, besmear


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 13:12 Behold when the wall is fallen shall (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 13:11
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