Old Testament
Ezekiel 13:16
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
those prophets of Israel who prophesied about Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace," declares the Lord GOD."
Compare translations
To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
What Ezekiel 13:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses the prophets of Israel who claim to speak on His behalf. They are sharing messages about Jerusalem, proclaiming visions of peace and safety. However, God points out that their messages are misleading because, in reality, there is no peace in the city. These prophets are not seeing the truth of the situation; instead, they are offering false hope. God emphasizes that their visions do not align with the actual circumstances facing Jerusalem. This serves as a warning about the dangers of ignoring reality and spreading false messages. It highlights the importance of being honest and grounded in truth, especially when it comes to significant matters affecting people's lives. God desires His people to be aware of the true state of their world, rather than being lulled into complacency by comforting but inaccurate prophecies. The call is for authenticity and a clear understanding of the challenges at hand, rather than a denial of the truth that can lead to greater suffering.
How to apply Ezekiel 13:16 to your life
Reflect on the messages you receive from others. Are they grounded in reality, or do they offer false hope? Seek out truth in your life and be cautious of those who may mislead you with comforting words. Embrace honesty and face challenges head-on, trusting in God's guidance through difficult times. Remember, true peace comes from understanding and addressing reality, not ignoring it.
Curated for this public verse page. Ezekiel Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Ezekiel 13:16
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Ezekiel 13:16
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Ezekiel
- Author
- Ezekiel the prophet
- Written
- Around 590 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Ezekiel 13:16 mean?
Ezekiel 13:16 addresses the prophets of Israel who falsely proclaim peace for Jerusalem, despite the reality of conflict. God highlights that their visions do not reflect the truth, serving as a warning against misleading messages.
What is the significance of false prophets in Ezekiel 13:16?
The false prophets in Ezekiel 13:16 represent those who distort God's message by offering false hope. Their misleading prophecies can lead people away from recognizing the true state of their circumstances.
What does the phrase 'there is no peace' in Ezekiel 13:16 mean?
The phrase 'there is no peace' in Ezekiel 13:16 emphasizes the stark contrast between the prophets' claims and the actual turmoil in Jerusalem. It underscores the importance of acknowledging reality rather than succumbing to comforting but inaccurate messages.
How does Ezekiel 13:16 relate to the concept of truth?
Ezekiel 13:16 highlights the importance of truth by showing how false prophecies can mislead people. It calls for honesty and a clear understanding of the challenges faced, rather than ignoring reality.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.