Ezekiel 13:10

The prophets whitewash the tottering wall which the people build

10. Because, even because A solemn and emphatic introduction of the offence of the prophets; ch. Ezekiel 36:3; Leviticus 26:43.

seduced Or, led astray.

peace; andthere was no peace "Peace" includes security and prosperity; cf. Micah 3:5; Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:11; Jeremiah 23:17.

and one built up a wall Rather: and it (the people) buildeth up a wall, and behold they (the prophets) daub it with whitewash, or plaster. The word for "wall" (occurring only here) is not the usual one, though similar to the one common in Arab.; in usage it may have meant "a slight wall," as marg., or a partition. The figure incisively describes the futile projects of the people, and the feeble flattery and approval of the prophets. When a weak man cannot originate anything himself, he acquires a certain credit (at least in his own eyes) by strong approval of the schemes of others, saying, Right! I give it my cordial approval, and indeed would have suggested it. What made the prophets whitewash the wall which the people built was partly the feeling that from the place they occupied they must do something, and maintain their credit as leaders even when being led; and partly perhaps that having no higher wisdom than the mass they quite honestly approved their policy. Being sharers with them in the spirit of the time they readily acquiesced in their enterprises.

11 seq. Threat of destruction under the figure of a hailstorm, which shall sweep away the wall and those who daub it with whited plaster.