Ezekiel 16:46-47
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. Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jerusalem is told its "older sister" is Samaria and its "younger" is Sodom, but "older" and "younger" here aren't about age. Instead, they describe the cities' relative size and influence, with Samaria being greater and Sodom lesser, despite Sodom's ancient notoriety. The placement to the "left" (north) and "right" (south) uses a specific ancient perspective, looking east, to geographically position these sinful sisters relative to Jerusalem.
In this vivid picture, Ezekiel isn't just telling a story; he's using family to expose Jerusalem's deep-seated sin. He's just described Jerusalem as a fallen queen, comparing her to her wicked mother (Canaan). Now, he introduces her sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to further illustrate her moral decay. Samaria represents the northern kingdom of Israel, and Sodom the infamous city destroyed for its wickedness, both serving as benchmarks of depravity to which Jerusalem has stooped, and even surpassed.
Why does Ezekiel compare Jerusalem to Samaria and Sodom? It's not just about geography, but a shocking spiritual lineage.
In this vivid imagery, Ezekiel paints a picture of Jerusalem's deep-seated sin by comparing it to its 'sisters,' Samaria and Sodom.
Greater and Lesser Sins
The 'daughters' of these cities represent their subordinate towns and people, all caught in the same web of sin.
Spiritual Geography
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When the prophet speaks of 'left hand' (north) and 'right hand' (south), he's using a common ancient perspective where people faced east. So, Samaria was to the north of Jerusalem, and Sodom to the south. This geographical positioning emphasizes how pervasive the sin was, surrounding Jerusalem like close relatives.
It's easy to point fingers, but Ezekiel reveals a disturbing truth: Jerusalem wasn't just near these sinful cities, it shared their core identity.
The real power of Ezekiel's comparison lies in the shared 'family resemblance' of sin. Jerusalem is not merely associated with Samaria and Sodom; it is like them.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
The text emphasizes that Jerusalem's identity was rooted in the sins of its 'mother' (the Canaanite/Amorite nations) and its 'sisters.' The proverb 'like mother, like daughter' was common, meaning children often followed their parents' destructive patterns.
Worse Than Their Sisters?
While Samaria and Sodom were steeped in sin, Ezekiel implies that Jerusalem, despite its privileged position and knowledge of God, had surpassed them in its wickedness. Their 'daughters' (dependent cities/people) followed their lead, but Jerusalem's sins were often more egregious because of its greater light and covenant relationship with God. The commentary notes that Jerusalem 'carried thy wickedness to a much greater height' and committed 'many more crimes than they,' even though Sodom and Samaria had been overthrown and Sodom destroyed long before.
This isn't just about outward actions; it's about a deep-seated corruption that mirrored the worst of its spiritual ancestors.
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.
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to detestable practices, particularly those involving idolatry or moral impurity, that are morally repugnant to God and violate His holiness.
shachath · Hebrew Verb/Adjective (as used in phrase)
A state of moral decay or spiritual depravity; it signifies the perversion of one's nature or actions away from God's righteous standards.
The prophet Ezekiel uses the destruction of Sodom and the fall of Samaria as historical benchmarks to illustrate the depth of Jerusalem's sin and impending judgment. By calling them 'sisters,' he emphasizes a shared heritage of idolatry and disobedience that ultimately led to their respective downfalls.
c. 2100 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities of the plain, including Sodom, are destroyed by divine judgment due to extreme wickedness.
c. 931 BC
Division of the United Monarchy
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel (capital Samaria) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (capital Jerusalem).
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deports much of its population, effectively ending its existence as an independent entity.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, exiles King Jehoiachin and many of the Judean elite, including the prophet Ezekiel.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This marks the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This passage describes the fiery destruction of Sodom and its surrounding cities, establishing the historical context for Sodom's infamous wickedness as referenced in Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 3:6-11Similar to Ezekiel, Jeremiah accuses Judah of spiritual adultery, comparing their unfaithfulness to the sins of Samaria and even Sodom, highlighting a consistent theme of comparing wayward Israelite kingdoms to even more depraved entities.
Ezekiel 23:1-4This chapter directly expands on the 'sisters' introduced in Ezekiel 16, detailing the sins of both Samaria (Oholah) and Jerusalem (Oholibah) in vivid, allegorical language.
Romans 1:24-27This New Testament passage echoes the theme of divine judgment for sexual immorality and perversion, aligning with the severe condemnation leveled against Sodom and by extension, the unfaithful cities in Ezekiel.
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 is told its "older sister" is Samaria and its "younger" is Sodom, but "older" and "younger" here aren't about age. Instead, they describe the cities' relative size and influence, with Samaria being greater and Sodom lesser, despite Sodom's ancient notoriety. The placement to the "left" (north) and "right" (south) uses a specific ancient perspective, looking east, to geographically position these sinful sisters relative to Jerusalem.
In this vivid picture, Ezekiel isn't just telling a story; he's using family to expose Jerusalem's deep-seated sin. He's just described Jerusalem as a fallen queen, comparing her to her wicked mother (Canaan). Now, he introduces her sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to further illustrate her moral decay. Samaria represents the northern kingdom of Israel, and Sodom the infamous city destroyed for its wickedness, both serving as benchmarks of depravity to which Jerusalem has stooped, and even surpassed.
In this vivid picture, Ezekiel isn't just telling a story; he's using family to expose Jerusalem's deep-seated sin. He's just described Jerusalem as a fallen queen, comparing her to her wicked mother (Canaan). Now, he introduces her sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to further illustrate her moral decay. Samaria represents the northern kingdom of Israel, and Sodom the infamous city destroyed for its wickedness, both serving as benchmarks of depravity to which Jerusalem has stooped, and even surpassed.
"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. Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominat…" — Jerusalem is told its "older sister" is Samaria and its "younger" is Sodom, but "older" and "younger" here aren't about age. Instead, they describe the cities' relative size and influence, with Samar…
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