Ezekiel 13:4

“O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes of the deserts.] The false prophets, as the Targum; these are called Israel’s prophets, because received, embraced, and encouraged by them; not the Lord’s, for they were not sent by him, nor had any messages from him; and such are comparable to foxes, for their craftiness and cunning, and lying in wait to deceive, as these seduced the Lord’s people, (<261310>Ezekiel 13:10); and such are false teachers, who walk in craftiness, and handle the word of God deceitfully, and are deceitful workers; and to foxes in the deserts, which are hungry and ravenous, and make a prey of whatsoever comes within their reach, as these prophets did of the people,…”

“foxes--which cunningly "spoil the vines" (Sol 2:15), Israel being the vineyard (Psa 80:8-15; Isa 5:1-7; Isa 27:2; Jer 2:21); their duty was to have guarded it from being spoiled, whereas they themselves spoiled it by corruptions. in . . . deserts--where there is nothing to eat; whence the foxes become so ravenous and crafty in their devices to get food. So the prophets wander in Israel, a moral desert, unrestrained, greedy of gain which they get by craft.”

“In the deserts - Foxes find a home among ruins etc. Lamentations 5:18. So the prophets find their profit in the ruin of their country. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Thy prophets - Thy prophets, not mine. Like the foxes - Hungry, and ravening, crafty, and guileful. In the deserts - Where want makes them more eager after their prey. Ezekiel 13:5”

“13:4-5 The false prophets are compared to jackals digging in the ruins to prey on the small animals living there. The false prophets did not repair the breaks in the walls by calling the people who were suffering at the hands of the Babylonians to repent, live holy lives, and fight evil. Instead, they gained prestige—and perhaps money—by telling lies that encouraged the people to continue to rebel. Like jackals, these false prophets were actually breaking the walls down, not building them up (cp. Neh 4:3).”

“prophets: Crafty, mischievous, and ravenous; always scheming something for their own interest; while they would not risk their persons to avert the mischief which they had caused. like: Sol 2:15; Mic 2:11, Mic 3:5; Mat 7:15; Rom 16:18; Co2 11:13-15; Gal 2:4; Eph 4:14; Th2 2:9, Th2 2:10; Ti1 4:1, Ti1 4:2; Tit 1:10-12; Rev 13:11-14, Rev 19:20 Ezekiel 13:5”