What does "Thus saith the Lord God, Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes..." mean?

Question

Ezekiel 13:18
Then it says: "And make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls" Then further down in verse 20 "Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly."
Could any church people explain this? Also, I appreciate replies from scholars.

(Please stick to the King James version, if possible, cause the other versions sometimes leave things out.)

Answer 1

huh?! but no offensive here... but I am totally confuse what ye sayin' here... umm... that is good question....

Answer 2

Has anyone ever heard of "push-up" bras? According to this scripture, these pillows were sewn in the armpits of some of the women, pushing their breasts together causing them to appear larger, more seductive than normal. We all know when any women doesn't wear a bra or some other support for their breasts; they lose their elasticity and they start to hang down. These pillows were place on the sides of their breasts, squashing them together causing a cleavage. Then only difference between today and back then is the clothes of both men and women are more seductive, with pants and shirts made so that either sex (male or female) looks like their body was poured into the cloth not leaving anything for the imagination.

Answer 3

The false ministers and the false prophetesses preach the same thing. They refuse to point out sin. They have "plastered [the wall] with untempered mortar," "whitewashing" the people and failing to convict them of their sins. Because of this, the wrath of God will be poured out upon these false ministers. They have preached a message of peace, when there is no peace! (verse 10).

God characterizes them as "hunt[ing] souls" (verse 18)! They travel the far reaches of the earth in their missionary efforts to "save souls." Yet, God asks them, "Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive?" In other words, they will not have the power even to save themselves from the destruction Almighty God has decreed will come (Jeremiah 14:12-14), which they say is not coming.

The reference to "magic charms" ("pillows," KJV) and "veils" ("kerchiefs," KJV) is obscure. Some believe "charms" or "pillows" is better translated "fillets" or "headbands." A long veil held by a headband perfectly describes part of the garments worn by members of some female religious orders. Others feel that they symbolize the soft, feminine nature of the religion preached by these false prophetesses.

A number of commentators believe the Hebrew indicates that these terms are not literal—that the "charms" or "pillows" refer to a figurative covering these women are trying to place over God's hands to conceal His power to rebuke sin, and the "veils" represent the spiritual blindness they place over their followers. Some Hebrew scholars argue against the translation "magic charms," saying that this is not at all supported by the original language.

In their activities these women profane God among the people with (the Hebrew can be translated either "for" or "with") "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread" (verse 19). This can mean that they either use food to attract "converts" or actively solicit donations for their preaching. However, they do not teach their followers that the cause for their plight lies in their failure to keep God's laws. God reveals His severe punishment on these false women religionists (verses 20-23).

Answer 4

The people of the East are generally indolent and voluptuous. The art which they most study is the art of making themselves comfortable. Enter an Eastern divan, or the saloon of the more aristocratic mansions, and you will be struck with the ingenuity and expense with which provision is made for bodily ease and sensual enjoyment. Odours and perfumes of sweetest fragrance are diffused through the room; fountains or vases of coldest water help to cool the heated air of the tropics. The sides and corners of the room are cushioned all round, whilst movable cushions of every form and size, richly embroidered and ornamented, are spread on the couches and chairs, and even on the carpet. When this love of ease and luxury was carried to excess, cushions were provided not only for the head and shoulders and back, but for the arms and for every joint, that every part of the body might lie softly and feel comfortable. The words of our text might be rendered "pillows for all arm joints" — including the armholes, the elbows, and wrists. And their use is significant of the greatest ease and luxury. Some suppose that Ezekiel refers to the abandoned women whose vile and detestable ways are graphically described in the Book of Proverbs (chaps. 6, 7). These interpret the words of the prophet almost literally; they regard these "pillows and kerchiefs" as literal pillows and kerchiefs with which they furnished their chambers and decked their persons to allure souls into their snares, and ruin them. They represent these women as of the class who, for a pittance of remuneration, sell themselves to the lowest vice. But whilst, no doubt, some were of this dissolute character, I do not think that the passage is to be interpreted literally; I believe it is best interpreted figuratively. The meaning is almost identical with the "wall of untempered mortar." The prophets predicted safety when there was none. The prophetesses predicted ease, prosperity, and luxury when there should be none. They did, as it were, sew beautifully soft pillows and cushions, to put under every limb and joint of the sleepers, to make their repose more undisturbed and their sleep more profound; and, singing their lullaby o'er the lethargic people, they said, — "Peace, peace, when there was no peace." Therefore, saith God, — "Woe to the women who sew pillows to all armholes."

Answer 5

It is believed that sewing pillows to armholes were like voodoo dolls or good luck / bad luck charms... the passage is talking about false prophets that prophecy from their own imagination and woe to the women (and men in the previous passages) who do this.. they also wore head coverings of various lengths as if to "show" to people they were "really" prophets.

Answer 6

LOL the King James version is one of the worst translations

Answer 7

PERHAPS a verse taken out of Context is Most Always = A Pretext for ERROR!

READ the preceeding verses = FIRST!

(Eze 13:16) 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.

(Eze 13:17) 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,

FLASE PROPHECY AND FALSE VISIONS AND FALSE PEACE!

Like so many of the So-Called Gospel Preachers TODAY! They NEVER speak about Sin, Righteouseness and Judgment!

The "pillows" are a WORD PICTURE for what one 'rests on!'

Thanks, RR, http://home.att.net/~roger459