Bible Dictionary
UNTEMPERED
Untempered mortar is defective mortar made with clay or another unsuitable material rather than properly prepared lime. Ezekiel uses the weak coating on a wall as a picture of false prophets whose reassuring messages cannot withstand judgment.
Definition
Untempered mortar is defective mortar made with clay or another unsuitable material instead of properly prepared lime. Though it may make a wall appear smooth and attractive, it is unreliable and cannot securely preserve the structure.
Biblical Usage
Ezekiel uses untempered mortar as a picture of false prophets. Their messages resemble a weak coating that looks convincing outwardly but cannot withstand the force of judgment.
Historical Background
In the interior of Palestine and Syria, walls of stones or mud bricks were commonly coated with clay mortar. The coating required yearly attention if the wall was to remain standing and could be broken down by heavy rain or pressure.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>un-tem'-perd (taphel): Used of mortar in Eze 13:10-15; 22:28. Taphel probably refers to mortar made with clay instead of slaked lime. In the interior of Palestine and Syria walls are still commonly built of small stones or mud bricks, and then smeared over with clay mortar. The surface is rubbed smooth and is attractive in appearance. This coating prolongs the life of the wall but requires yearly attention if the wall is to stand.</p><p>Ezekiel uses the practice to typify the work of false prophets. They build up stories and make them plausible by an outward semblance to truth, while, in fact, they are flimsy, unreliable prophecies, resembling the walls described above, which can be broken down by a push or a heavy rain storm.</p><p>James A. Patch</p>