Ezekiel 21:29 - while they see for you false visions, while they divine lies to you, to lay you on the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded, whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 21:29

What does "Ezekiel 21:29" mean?


Ezekiel 21:29 is part of a prophecy against Jerusalem, specifically directed at its leaders and the false prophets who are misleading them. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:

"while they see for you false visions, while they divine lies to you...": This points to the problem of false prophecy and divination within Jerusalem. These prophets are claiming to have divine insight and are telling the people what they want to hear, not the truth. They are offering comforting lies instead of warnings of impending judgment.

"...to lay you on the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded...": This is the consequence of listening to the false prophets. By leading the people astray, they are setting them up to be conquered and dominated by the "wicked who are deadly wounded." These wicked ones are likely a reference to the invading Babylonian army, who are described as "deadly wounded" because God has already decreed their doom (they are as good as dead). "Laying them on the necks" implies subjugation, defeat, and being trampled upon.

"...whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.": This indicates that the judgment upon Jerusalem is part of a larger, divinely appointed timeframe. "The time of the iniquity of the end" suggests that Jerusalem's wickedness has reached its peak, and the consequences are now imminent. Their time for punishment has arrived.

In summary, the verse means:

Because the false prophets are providing false visions and lying divinations to the leaders of Jerusalem, they are leading them to utter defeat and subjugation by the Babylonian army, whose own demise is assured by God. This is happening because Jerusalem's wickedness has reached its limit, and the time for divine judgment has arrived.

Significance:

The verse highlights the dangers of:

False prophecy and misleading religious leaders: The verse warns against those who manipulate religious practices for their own gain or to tell people what they want to hear instead of the truth.

Ignoring warnings of impending judgment: The people of Jerusalem are being lulled into a false sense of security by the false prophets, preventing them from repenting and averting disaster.

The consequences of wickedness: The verse demonstrates that persistent wickedness will eventually lead to divine judgment and suffering.

The prophecy ultimately serves as a warning to repent and turn away from wickedness to avoid God's judgment. It also reinforces the importance of discerning true prophecy from false prophecy.