Ezekiel 16:46
And your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jerusalem isn't just compared to its contemporaries like Samaria, but also to the infamous Sodom, highlighting that its sins are so egregious they surpass even ancient, notorious wickedness. The terms "elder" and "younger" don't necessarily refer to chronological age, but rather to the greater prominence of Samaria and the lesser status of Sodom, emphasizing the depth of Jerusalem's fall by linking it to both.
Ezekiel is painting a picture of Jerusalem's deep corruption by comparing it to its "sisters," Samaria and Sodom. Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, is presented as the "elder sister" to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom as the "younger sister" to the south. This comparison emphasizes that Jerusalem's wickedness isn't unique but follows a pattern set by these historical examples of sin and judgment.
Ezekiel calls Samaria and Sodom Jerusalem's sisters, but not in a good way. What does this shocking comparison reveal about their shared spiritual sickness?
In this passage, Ezekiel paints a stark picture of Jerusalem's spiritual lineage. He doesn't just compare Jerusalem to its neighboring cities; he calls them sisters. This isn't about family trees, but about a shared heritage of rebellion against God.
A Family of Faithlessness
Both cities, along with Jerusalem, are depicted as "daughters" of a sinful union, tracing their spiritual roots back to the corrupt Canaanite peoples (Hittites and Amorites). This establishes a pattern of inherited sin and chosen rebellion against God's covenant.
Why does Ezekiel place Samaria to the 'left' and Sodom to the 'right' of Jerusalem? It's more than just directions; it's a spiritual indictment.
The mention of Samaria dwelling "at thy left hand" and Sodom "at thy right hand" is significant. This isn't random directional information; it's rooted in the ancient Near Eastern perspective of orientation.
Facing East, Seeing Sin
Understand the original words
Shomeron · Hebrew Proper Noun
In this context, it refers to the historical kingdom of the northern tribes of Israel, often used as a prophetic metaphor for spiritual infidelity and apostasy.
Sedom · Hebrew Proper Noun
An ancient city destroyed by God for its extreme wickedness; it serves in Scripture as the archetypal example of divine judgment and moral depravity.
Ezekiel, writing from exile in Babylon, uses the historical examples of the long-destroyed city of Sodom and the recently fallen capital of Samaria to highlight Jerusalem's deep-seated unfaithfulness. The 'sisters' represent past and present failures of neighboring peoples and even the northern kingdom, providing a stark contrast to the unique covenant relationship Jerusalem was meant to uphold.
c. 1800 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
God destroys the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extreme sinfulness. This event serves as an enduring example of divine judgment.
931 BC
Division of the United Monarchy
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel splits into two: the northern kingdom of Israel (capital Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (capital Jerusalem). This division marks a significant point of political and spiritual divergence.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria, and deporting its population. This event leaves Jerusalem as the sole surviving Israelite kingdom.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II deports many Jewish leaders and craftsmen, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
This passage describes the destruction of Sodom, highlighting the extreme wickedness that led to its judgment, which Ezekiel uses as a benchmark for Jerusalem's own sinfulness.
2 Kings 17:5-6This passage details the fall of Samaria and the scattering of the Israelites, underscoring the divine judgment on the northern kingdom for its idolatry, thus providing context for its comparison to Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 23:2This chapter expands on the allegorical sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), revealing their shared history of unfaithfulness and the consequences that follow, further illuminating the relationship described in Ezekiel 16.
Romans 3:23The New Testament echoes the theme of universal sinfulness, stating that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' which resonates with Ezekiel's depiction of all these cities, including Jerusalem, sharing a common fallen nature.
cambridgeEzekiel 16:46: "And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters."
46 . elder sister ] “elder” is lit. greater, and the reference is to the greater political importance and wider territory of Samaria; as on the other hand Sodom was smaller than Judah. In estimating the quarters of the heavens the beholder faced the east, having the north on his left, &c. her daughters ] i.e.…
clarkeEzekiel 16:46: "And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters."
Thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left - It is supposed that the prophet by Sodom in this place means the Israelites that dwelt beyond Jordan, in the land or the Moabites and Ammonites; or rather of the Moabites and Ammonites themselves. Literally, Sodom could not be called…
Jerusalem isn't just compared to its contemporaries like Samaria, but also to the infamous Sodom, highlighting that its sins are so egregious they surpass even ancient, notorious wickedness. The terms "elder" and "younger" don't necessarily refer to chronological age, but rather to the greater prominence of Samaria and the lesser status of Sodom, emphasizing the depth of Jerusalem's fall by linking it to both.
Ezekiel is painting a picture of Jerusalem's deep corruption by comparing it to its "sisters," Samaria and Sodom. Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, is presented as the "elder sister" to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom as the "younger sister" to the south. This comparison emphasizes that Jerusalem's wickedness isn't unique but follows a pattern set by these historical examples of sin and judgment.
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By placing these sinful cities to Jerusalem's immediate sides, Ezekiel emphasizes that their corrupting influence was not distant but alarmingly close and pervasive. Jerusalem was surrounded by the very spiritual and moral decay it had also embraced, making their shared condemnation all the more potent.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. Ezekiel's prophecy is delivered during this period of exile.
Ezekiel is painting a picture of Jerusalem's deep corruption by comparing it to its "sisters," Samaria and Sodom. Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, is presented as the "elder sister" to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom as the "younger sister" to the south. This comparison emphasizes that Jerusalem's wickedness isn't unique but follows a pattern set by these historical examples of sin and judgment.
"And your elder sister is Samaria, who lived with her daughters to the north of you; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you, is Sodom with her daughters." — Jerusalem isn't just compared to its contemporaries like Samaria, but also to the infamous Sodom, highlighting that its sins are so egregious they surpass even ancient, notorious wickedness. The te…
