13:17 The Lord also directed Ezekiel to speak judgment to the female false prophets who were concocting their own messages and passing them off as divine revelations (cf. Isa. 3:16-4:1; 32:9-13; Amos 4:1-3).
13:18 He was to announce Yahweh's judgment on these women who sewed cloth bands to place on the wrists and floor-length veils on the heads of themselves or the objects of their "prophesying."They used these aids to impress people and to cast spells on people to bring them under their power (cf. Jer. 7:18; 44:17, 19).
"The activities attributed to these women suggest that they were more like witches or sorcerers than prophets [cf. 1 Sam. 28:7]."206
13:19 Ezekiel was to announce judgment on those who indulged in these occult practices and perverted justice for only a little food or as a means of divination.
"In some cultures barley was used in occult practices either as an offering to the spirits or as a means of trying to determine the future."207
These women had been willing to put some to death who did not deserve to die and to save others from death who did deserve to die. This was the result of their lying to God's people, who loved to listen to their lies.
