What is the meaning of Ezekiel 13:18-23?

The context of this chapter is the time just prior to the Day of the Lord (Ezek. 13:5). It addresses the “Christian” leaders of the modern-day descendants of Israel—mainly the U.S. and Britain.

Verses 1-16 mention false prophets, men who deceive the people. But in this day and age, more women are also becoming actively involved in preaching and missionary work. This prophecy addresses the ever-increasing number of false “prophetesses.”

Verse 17 shows that these false prophetesses prophesy (proper translation: “preach”) out of their own hearts. They are not sent by God, nor are they preaching His message—the gospel, or good news, of His coming kingdom. (You may request our free booklet Which Is the True Gospel?) They are also not warning the people (Isa. 58:1) of the destruction to fall upon them if they do not heed, and repent of their sins. (See Ezekiel 3:19; 4:2-3; 5:2-4, 8-10, 12-17; 6:11-14; 12:10-16.)

ALL false ministers are an abomination to God. But He especially forbids women to be in positions of religious leadership (I Cor. 14:33-35; I Tim. 2:11-12).

By examining what these false ministers preach, one can better understand what false prophetesses preach—because their message is the same. They do not show the people their sins. Ezekiel states that they have “…daubed the wall with untempered mortar” (13:10-15). They have preached “smooth things” (Isa. 30:10). In other words, they have told the people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.

Also, they attempt to solve all the world’s problems through various forms of “do-gooding,” which are the equivalent of taking an aspirin to try to cure cancer. (“Untempered” mortar does not contain the correct proportions of raw materials. This faulty construction results in walls that will not stand.) Because of their neglect in pointing out to the people their sins, God’s wrath will be poured out upon them. They have spread (and are still spreading) a message of “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jer. 8:11).

Believing that God is somehow in a wrestling match with Satan, these false ministers are in the business of “hunting for souls” (Ezek. 13:18). They travel to the farthest reaches of the globe on their “soul-saving” missions. But they will be powerless to save the world from the destruction that God has promised in His Word (which they deny is even coming).

The meanings of the terms “pillows” and “kerchiefs” are unclear. Some scholars believe that a better translation of “pillows” (Hebrew: keceth [#3704]) is “fillets” or “headbands.” They believe that “kerchiefs” (Hebrew: micpacthath [#4556]) is a reference to “long veils.” A long veil secured by a headband is an accurate description of part of the attire of members of certain female religious orders.

Other scholars interpret “pillows” and “kerchiefs” to symbolize the soothing, feminine nature of the religion espoused and promoted by these false prophetesses. Many commentators believe that the use of these terms in the original Hebrew is in a merely figurative sense. The “pillows” are a reference to these women attempting to cover God’s hands, concealing His power to rebuke sin. The “kerchiefs” picture the veil of spiritual blindness (II Cor. 4:4) they cast over their devotees. The term “magic bands,” as it is translated in some English versions of the Bible, is refuted by certain Hebrew scholars.

These women actually pollute the Word of God among the people for “handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread” (Ezek. 13:19). (Note: the Hebrew word kiy can be rendered as “for” or “with”). This means that they either use food to attract followers or actively request donations to support their mission.

Since they do not teach their followers that the cause of world suffering is rooted in their disobedience to God’s laws, they will be punished (vs. 20-23).