Who are the “daughters of thy people” mentioned in this passage?

The “daughters of thy people” are women among God’s people who claimed to speak His words but were really speaking from their own hearts. They acted like prophetesses or fortune-tellers, using outward signs such as charms, pillows, and head coverings to gain people’s trust. Instead of leading people to repent and trust God, they used their influence for gain, took small payments like barley and bread, and kept people in spiritual danger. God calls Ezekiel to speak directly against them and expose their lies.

What does it mean that these women were hunting souls with pillows and kerchiefs?

The language of “hunting souls” pictures how these women trapped people with their lies. The pillows on the arms and kerchiefs on the head seem to be charms or ritual objects used to impress and control people, offering comfort and safety when danger was actually near. Instead of warning of judgment and calling for repentance, they lulled people to sleep in their sins. By using these props, they gave the sense of spiritual help while actually drawing people away from God and into harm.

Why does God say they profaned Him for handfuls of barley and pieces of bread?

God is showing how cheap and selfish their work was. They used His name and pretended to speak His word in exchange for small payments, like handfuls of grain or bits of bread. By doing this, they treated God’s truth as something to be sold for food and turned holy things into a way to fill their bellies. In the process, they killed “souls that should not die” and promised life to those who refused to turn from sin, dragging God’s name into their lies.

What does it mean that they made the righteous sad and strengthened the wicked?

These women spoke lies that flipped things upside down. They threatened or discouraged those who were trying to walk with God, making their hearts heavy when God had not meant to crush them. At the same time, they gave comfort and false promises to people who would not leave their sins, telling them they would have peace and life. This made it easier for the wicked to keep going in their ways without repentance. Their messages removed true comfort from the faithful and took away true warning from those who needed it most.

How does God respond to the false prophetesses and their magic-like charms?

God says clearly, “Behold, I am against your pillows” and promises to tear them from their arms and remove the kerchiefs from people’s heads. This means He will strip away the things they use to deceive and control, break their power, and free the souls they trapped. He also says they will no longer see empty visions or claim to have messages from Him. Their influence will end, God’s people will be rescued from their hands, and everyone will know that the Lord Himself has acted.

What does this passage teach about God’s character?

This passage shows that God cares deeply about truth and about the souls of His people. He does not ignore lies that harm others or messages that misuse His name. He holds deceivers responsible, even if they seem small or hidden, and He is not indifferent when the righteous are crushed or sinners are encouraged to stay in their sin. At the same time, He promises to deliver His people from such traps, showing both His justice against falsehood and His mercy in rescuing those who have been misled.

What was happening among God’s people when these words were spoken?

God’s people were facing judgment from foreign enemies because of long-standing sin and unfaithfulness. In that setting, some claimed to speak for God but offered easy messages of peace and safety instead of calling for repentance. These women added to the confusion by using charms and paid prophecies, promising life where there was no obedience. Their words kept people from facing the truth about their condition. God sent Ezekiel to confront this, warn about the lies, and point to His own work in saving a faithful remnant.

How can this passage guide believers today when they hear spiritual messages?

This passage reminds believers to test all messages by what God has clearly said, not by how comfortable or impressive they feel. Any teaching that makes those seeking to follow God despair, while excusing sin and offering easy promises without repentance, repeats the same pattern. Believers are called to watch for teachings that use God’s name for gain or play on fear. Instead of chasing voices that promise quick comfort, they should look for words that lead to honest repentance, true hope in God, and respect for His name.

Ezek.13.17

Ezekiel 13:17

KJV GOD

¶ 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,

Reproof of False Prophetesses

¶ 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,

And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

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 hunted; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

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:

Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.