Ezekiel 13:17 Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

◄ Ezekiel 13:17 ►

New International Version
“Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

New Living Translation
“Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations.

English Standard Version
“And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own hearts. Prophesy against them

Berean Standard Bible
Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

King James Bible
Likewise, 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,

New King James Version
“Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them,

New American Standard Bible
“Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are talking like prophets from their own imagination. Prophesy against them

NASB 1995
“Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own inspiration. Prophesy against them

NASB 1977
“Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own inspiration. Prophesy against them,

Legacy Standard Bible
“Now as for you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own heart. Prophesy against them

Amplified Bible
“Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying out of [the wishful thinking of] their own mind (inspiration). Prophesy against them

Christian Standard Bible
“Now you, son of man, face the women among your people who prophesy out of their own imagination, and prophesy against them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now, son of man, turn toward the women of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

American Standard Version
And 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,

Contemporary English Version
Ezekiel, son of man, now condemn the women of Israel who preach messages that come from their own imagination.

English Revised Version
And 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,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Son of man, look at the women among your people who make up prophecies, and prophesy against them.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Now, mortal man, look at the women among your people who make up predictions. Denounce them

International Standard Version
"And now, Son of Man, turn toward and oppose the women of your people who prophesy according to their own wrong inclinations and prophesy against them.

Majority Standard Bible
Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them

NET Bible
"As for you, son of man, turn toward the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their imagination. Prophesy against them

New Heart English Bible
"You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,

Webster's Bible Translation
Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

World English Bible
You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who are prophesying out of their own heart, and prophesy concerning them,

Young's Literal Translation
And 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people prophesying from their heart, and prophesy thou against them.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And as for you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy from their own heart. And prophesy about them,

New American Bible
As for you, son of man, now set your face against the daughters of your people who play the prophet from their own thoughts, and prophesy against them.

New Revised Standard Version
As for you, mortal, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own imagination; prophesy against them

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Likewise, you Son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them, and say to them,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy from their hearts, and prophesy against them and say to them:

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou, son of man, set thy face firmly against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The False Prophetesses
17Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them 18and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1
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.

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.

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.

Deuteronomy 18:20
But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

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.

Micah 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:

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.

Jeremiah 23:21-22
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

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 30:9-10
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / 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.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / 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.

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?

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Treasury of Scripture

Likewise, you son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy you against them,

set thy

Ezekiel 4:3
Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 20:46
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;

Ezekiel 21:2
Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,

the daughters

Isaiah 3:16
Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:

Isaiah 4:4
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

prophesy

Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

out of

Ezekiel 13:2
Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

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Ezekiel 13

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

Berean Study Bible

Now, son of man
The phrase "son of man" is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of the people. In Hebrew, "ben adam" underscores the connection between the divine message and the human messenger. This title reminds us of the humility and responsibility that comes with being chosen to deliver God's word, highlighting the contrast between divine truth and human fallibility.

turn your face against
This phrase indicates a deliberate and resolute opposition. In the Hebrew context, turning one's face against someone signifies a strong stance of disapproval or judgment. It is a call for Ezekiel to confront the false prophets with determination and clarity, reflecting God's righteous anger towards those who lead His people astray.

the daughters of your people
This refers specifically to women among the Israelites who were engaging in false prophecy. Historically, prophecy was not limited to men, and there were genuine female prophets in Israel, such as Deborah and Huldah. However, in this context, these "daughters" are criticized for their deceptive practices, highlighting the importance of discerning true prophecy from falsehood, regardless of the prophet's gender.

who prophesy out of their own imagination
The Hebrew word for "imagination" here can also be translated as "heart" or "mind," indicating that these false prophets were speaking from their own thoughts and desires rather than from divine revelation. This serves as a warning against the dangers of self-deception and the temptation to speak on behalf of God without His authority. It underscores the need for spiritual integrity and the discernment to distinguish between God's voice and human invention.

Prophesy against them
This command to Ezekiel is a directive to actively oppose and expose the false prophets. The act of prophesying against them is not merely a denunciation but a call to bring them to accountability before God. It reflects the prophetic duty to uphold truth and justice, serving as a reminder that God's word is a powerful tool for correction and restoration.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17-23) Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face . . .--This passage deals with a class of people the false prophetesses, who are not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. True prophetesses, as in the case of Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and, at this very time, Huldah (2Kings 22:14; 2Chronicles 34:22), and somewhat later, Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), are frequently spoken of, and continued to exist in New Testament times, as in the case of Anna (Luke 2:36). It was naturally to be expected that as false prophets dogged the steps of the true, the same thing would happen with the other sex, and we find express mention of a false prophetess in Revelation 2:20. Their course, in prophesying "out of their own heart" deceiving the people, was essentially the same as that of the false prophets; but they are described as doing this in ways suited to their sex. Of the general meaning of this description there can be no doubt; but it is difficult to follow it with certainty in the details, because of the occurrence of some words of uncertain meaning, found nowhere else, and of some others in an unusual sense. Without attempting a discussion of each single word, (which would be useless except with a careful examination of the original), the following is given as the most probable translation of Ezekiel 13:18-21; but it is to be remembered that several of the words, like the similar ones in Isaiah 3:16-24, are so uncertain that there is a difference of opinion in regard to their exact meaning :--"Woe to those who fasten charms on every finger-joint, that place kerchiefs on heads of every height to snare souls. Will ye snare the souls of my people, and keep your own souls alive? (19) And will ye profane me with my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay souls that should not die, and to make live souls that should not live, by your lying to my people who hearken to a lie? (20) Therefore, thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I am against your charms, when ye snare the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, the souls that ye are snaring like birds. (21) Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be snared; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." (See Excursus 8 at the end of this book, on Ezekiel 13:6-7; Ezekiel 13:14.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Set thy face against the daughters of thy people. Here we note that the formula, "thy people," of Ezekiel 3:11 reappears. The section which follows (vers. 17-23) throws an interesting side light on the position of women in the religious life of Israel. For good as for evil, their influence was stronger there than in most other nations. Miriam had led the way (Exodus 15:21), and had been followed by Deborah (Judges 5:4). Huldah had been almost as prominent in Josiah's reformation as Hilkiah the high priest (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22). It was but natural that there should be women on the other side also, guiding their own sex; and it is probable that Ezekiel had in his thoughts some special leaders who headed the women of Jerusalem in their opposition to Jeremiah, as afterwards at Pathros (Jeremiah 44:15). So, later on, we have the prophetess Noadiah heading the opposition to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:14); and in the New Testament, on the one hand, Anns (Luke 2:36) and the daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9), and on the other, the ill-regulated prophetesses of Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:5) and the woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess (Revelation 2:20).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now,
וְאַתָּ֣ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

O son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,
אָדָ֗ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

set
שִׂ֤ים (śîm)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

your face
פָּנֶ֙יךָ֙ (pā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the daughters
בְּנ֣וֹת (bə·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of your people
עַמְּךָ֔ (‘am·mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who prophesy
הַמִּֽתְנַבְּא֖וֹת (ham·miṯ·nab·bə·’ō·wṯ)
Article | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

out of their own imagination.
מִֽלִּבְּהֶ֑ן (mil·lib·bə·hen)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine plural
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

Prophesy
וְהִנָּבֵ֖א (wə·hin·nā·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

against them
עֲלֵיהֶֽן׃ (‘ă·lê·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 13:17 You son of man set your face (Ezek. Eze Ezk)