Ezekiel 22:28
New International Version
Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken.

New Living Translation
And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign LORD,’ when the LORD hasn’t spoken a single word to them.

English Standard Version
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

Berean Standard Bible
Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

King James Bible
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

New King James Version
Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD had not spoken.

New American Standard Bible
And her prophets have coated with whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

NASB 1995
“Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

NASB 1977
“And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

Legacy Standard Bible
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, beholding worthless visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh,’ when Yahweh has not spoken.

Amplified Bible
Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD’—when the LORD has not spoken.

Christian Standard Bible
Her prophets plaster for them with whitewash by seeing false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Her prophets plaster with whitewash for them by seeing false visions and lying divinations, and they say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

American Standard Version
And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken.

Contemporary English Version
And then the prophets in Israel cover up these sins by giving false visions. I have never spoken to them, but they lie and say they have a message from me.

English Revised Version
And her prophets have daubed for them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your prophets cover up these things by seeing false visions and by prophesying lies. They say, "This is what the Almighty LORD says." Yet, the LORD hasn't spoken.

Good News Translation
The prophets have hidden these sins like workers covering a wall with whitewash. They see false visions and make false predictions. They claim to speak the word of the Sovereign LORD, but I, the LORD, have not spoken to them.

International Standard Version
"'Her prophets whitewashed all of these things through false visions and lying divinations. They kept on saying, "This is what the Lord GOD says…", when the LORD has not spoken.

Majority Standard Bible
Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

NET Bible
Her prophets coat their messages with whitewash. They see false visions and announce lying omens for them, saying, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says,' when the LORD has not spoken.

New Heart English Bible
Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has not spoken.

Webster's Bible Translation
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

World English Bible
Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, ‘The Lord Yahweh says,’ when Yahweh has not spoken.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And its prophets have coated with chalk for them, "" Seeing a vain thing, and divining a lie for them, "" Saying, Thus said Lord YHWH, "" And YHWH has not spoken.

Young's Literal Translation
And its prophets have daubed for them with chalk, Seeing a vain thing, and divining for them a lie, Saying, 'Thus said the Lord Jehovah:' And Jehovah hath not spoken.

Smith's Literal Translation
And her prophets plastered plaster upon them, seeing vanity, and divining to them falsehood, saying Thus said the Lord Jehovah; and Jehovah spoke not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And her prophets have daubed them without tempering the mortar, seeing vain things, and divining lies unto them, saying: Thus saith the Lord God: when the Lord hath not spoken.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And her prophets have covered them without tempering the mortar, seeing emptiness, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.

New American Bible
And her prophets cover them with whitewash, seeing false visions and performing lying divinations, saying, “Thus says the Lord GOD,” although the LORD has not spoken.

New Revised Standard Version
Its prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, “Thus says the Lord GOD,” when the LORD has not spoken.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And her prophets have daubed her walls with untempered mortar which will fall off, seeing for them visions of falsehood, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the LORD, when the LORD has not spoken.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And her Prophets beat her with a beating that she would fall. They have seen emptiness for themselves and divined falsehood for themselves, and they were saying, “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH”, and LORD JEHOVAH has not spoken
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And her prophets have daubed for them with whited plaster, seeing falsehood, and divining lies unto them, saying: Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And her prophets that daub them shall fall, that see vanities, that prophesy falsehoods, saying, Thus saith the Lord, when the Lord has not spoken.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sins of Prophets, Priests, Princes
27Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. 28Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. 29The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 23:16-17
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. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’

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

Jeremiah 8:11
They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.

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.

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:

Zephaniah 3:4
Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.

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.

Isaiah 56:10-11
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

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.

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.”

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

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

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.

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.

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

And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies to them, saying, Thus said the Lord GOD, when the LORD has not spoken.

prophets.

Ezekiel 22:25
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

Ezekiel 13:10-16
Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: …

Isaiah 30:10
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

seeing

Ezekiel 13:22,23
Because 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: …

Ezekiel 21:29
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.

Jeremiah 23:25-32
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed…

Thus saith the Lord

Ezekiel 13:6,7
They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word…

Jeremiah 23:21
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

Jeremiah 28:2,15
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon…

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Arts Daubed Deeds Divinations Falsehood Foolish Lies Making Mortar Morter Plaster Prophets Secret Smeared Untempered Use Using Vanity Visions Whited Whitewash
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Arts Daubed Deeds Divinations Falsehood Foolish Lies Making Mortar Morter Plaster Prophets Secret Smeared Untempered Use Using Vanity Visions Whited Whitewash
Ezekiel 22
1. A catalogue of sins in Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the Jews in consequence
17. God will burn them as dross in his furnace
23. The general corruption of prophets, priests, princes, and the people














Her prophets
In the context of ancient Israel, prophets were meant to be the mouthpieces of God, delivering His messages to the people. The Hebrew word for prophet, "nabi," implies one who is called or appointed. However, in this verse, the prophets are not fulfilling their divine role. Instead, they are misleading the people, highlighting the critical issue of false prophecy that plagued Israel. This serves as a warning to discern true spiritual guidance from falsehood.

whitewash these deeds
The term "whitewash" is metaphorical, suggesting an attempt to cover up or gloss over the truth. In Hebrew, the word used can imply a superficial covering that hides the underlying corruption. This imagery is powerful, as it suggests that the prophets are not addressing the root issues but are instead making them appear acceptable. This is a call to integrity and authenticity in spiritual leadership.

with false visions
Visions were a common way God communicated with His prophets. However, these visions are described as false, indicating they are not from God. The Hebrew word for vision, "chazon," often refers to divine revelation. The presence of false visions indicates a serious deviation from true prophetic ministry, emphasizing the need for discernment and truth in spiritual matters.

and lying divinations
Divination was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The use of "lying divinations" suggests that these prophets were engaging in practices that were not only false but also abominable in the sight of God. This highlights the severity of their sin and the importance of adhering to God's commandments.

They say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’
This phrase is a common prophetic formula, used to assert divine authority. However, in this context, it is used deceitfully. The Hebrew phrase "ko amar Adonai YHWH" is meant to convey the weight and authority of God's word. The misuse of this phrase underscores the gravity of claiming divine endorsement for falsehoods.

when the LORD has not spoken
The ultimate indictment against these prophets is that they claim to speak for God when He has not spoken. This is a profound violation of trust and a distortion of divine communication. The Hebrew word for "spoken," "dabar," implies a direct and intentional communication from God. The absence of God's true word in their messages is a stark reminder of the importance of seeking genuine divine guidance.

(28) With untempered morter.--See Note on Ezekiel 13:10. The prophets are here again spoken of in reference to their powerful influence upon the princes in leading them astray by falsehoods. "Seeing vanity" is an expression for pretended and false visions. (Comp. Ezekiel 13:7; Ezekiel 13:9-10.)

Verse 28. - (See Ezekiel 13:10.) The fact that the prophets are addressed here gives some force to the idea that "chiefs" or "judges" were addressed in Ver. 27.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Her prophets
וּנְבִיאֶ֗יהָ (ū·nə·ḇî·’e·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

whitewash
תָּפֵ֔ל (tā·p̄êl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8602: Plaster, slime, frivolity

[these deeds]
לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

by false
שָׁ֔וְא (šāw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness

visions
חֹזִ֣ים (ḥō·zîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2374: A beholder in vision, a compact

and lying
כָּזָ֑ב (kā·zāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

divinations,
וְקֹסְמִ֥ים (wə·qō·sə·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7080: To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine

saying,
אֹמְרִ֗ים (’ō·mə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘This is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says,’
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

when the LORD
וַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

spoken.
דִבֵּֽר׃ (ḏib·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 22:28 Her prophets have daubed for them (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 22:27
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