Ezekiel 16:46-48
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While we might think of "elder" and "younger" sisters as referring to age, here they actually point to size and significance, with Samaria being the "greater" kingdom and Sodom the "lesser" city. The directional language also reveals a perspective: facing east, Samaria was to Jerusalem's "left" (north), and Sodom to its "right" (south).
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. As I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this part of Ezekiel's vision, God uses a powerful family analogy to shame Jerusalem. He declares that Jerusalem's "mother" was an unfaithful Hittite woman, and now he introduces its "sisters"—Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom to the south. This vivid comparison emphasizes Jerusalem's shared, deeply rooted sinfulness with these wicked neighbors, portraying them all as spiritually degenerate daughters of corrupt ancestors.
Ever noticed how families can have a shared 'vibe,' a similar way of acting or reacting? Ezekiel uses this idea of family resemblance to describe Jerusalem's deep spiritual corruption.
In this passage, Jerusalem isn't just presented as a lone sinner; she's placed in a family portrait of wickedness.
The 'Sisters' of Jerusalem
These weren't just geographical neighbors; they were spiritual counterparts, sharing a heritage of rejecting God's ways.
Ancient writers used directions to convey meaning. Why would Ezekiel place Samaria to the 'left' and Sodom to the 'right' of Jerusalem?
The positioning of Samaria and Sodom is more than just geography; it's symbolic.
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Facing East, Reading the Landscape
The Standard Orientation: In the ancient Near East, people typically faced east when orienting themselves. This meant:
Samaria's Position: Ezekiel places Samaria, the 'elder sister,' to Jerusalem's 'left hand.' This visually and symbolically puts the northern kingdom's idolatry and rebellion directly to Jerusalem's north, a constant, nearby example of apostasy.
Sodom's Position: Sodom, the 'younger sister,' is placed to Jerusalem's 'right hand,' to the south. This highlights another major source of moral contagion, infamous for its utter depravity.
It's one thing to be bad yourself, but what about the next generation? Ezekiel uses the 'daughter' imagery to show how sin multiplies.
The verse doesn't just mention Samaria and Sodom; it includes their 'daughters.' This paints a picture of spreading, systemic sin.
The Proverbial Legacy
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.
Chay Ani · Hebrew Phrase
A solemn divine oath asserting the truthfulness and eternal existence of God as the living witness to His own declaration.
By comparing Jerusalem to Samaria and Sodom, Ezekiel highlights that Judah's sin wasn't just its own unique depravity, but a continuation and even escalation of the deep-seated infidelity and idolatry that characterized its 'sisters' and their ancestors, despite Judah's greater covenantal privileges.
c. 2000 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities of the plain, including Sodom, are destroyed by divine judgment due to their extreme wickedness. This event becomes a timeless symbol of God's judgment on sin.
c. 931 BC
Division of the United Monarchy
Following the death of King Solomon, the united 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 new era of political and religious divergence.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Conquest
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria, and deporting much of its population. This event leaves the southern Kingdom of Judah increasingly isolated.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting its elite, including some of the royal family and prominent citizens, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar II destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This is the ultimate catastrophe for Judah.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Ezekiel Prophesies in Exile
Ezekiel, himself among the exiles in Babylon, delivers powerful prophecies, including the allegorical critique of Jerusalem in chapter 16. He aims to bring understanding and repentance to the exiled community.
This passage describes the destruction of Sodom and its surrounding cities due to their extreme wickedness, providing the historical context for why Sodom is used as an example of utter depravity in Ezekiel's allegory.
2 Kings 17:1-23This passage details the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel and its capital, Samaria, to the Assyrians, highlighting the spiritual and political unfaithfulness that led to its judgment and setting the stage for Ezekiel's comparison.
Ezekiel 23:1-49This chapter further expands on the allegory of the two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem), detailing their harlotry and the consequences they faced, reinforcing the theme of spiritual adultery and judgment.
Jeremiah 3:6-11This passage uses similar imagery of unfaithfulness and adultery to describe Judah's departure from God, comparing it to its sister Israel, which directly parallels Ezekiel's message of ingrained sin and broken covenant.
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…
While we might think of "elder" and "younger" sisters as referring to age, here they actually point to size and significance, with Samaria being the "greater" kingdom and Sodom the "lesser" city. The directional language also reveals a perspective: facing east, Samaria was to Jerusalem's "left" (north), and Sodom to its "right" (south).
In this part of Ezekiel's vision, God uses a powerful family analogy to shame Jerusalem. He declares that Jerusalem's "mother" was an unfaithful Hittite woman, and now he introduces its "sisters"—Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom to the south. This vivid comparison emphasizes Jerusalem's shared, deeply rooted sinfulness with these wicked neighbors, portraying them all as spiritually degenerate daughters of corrupt ancestors.
In this part of Ezekiel's vision, God uses a powerful family analogy to shame Jerusalem. He declares that Jerusalem's "mother" was an unfaithful Hittite woman, and now he introduces its "sisters"—Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, to the north, and the infamous city of Sodom to the south. This vivid comparison emphasizes Jerusalem's shared, deeply rooted sinfulness with these wicked neighbors, portraying them all as spiritually degenerate daughters of corrupt ancestors.
"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…" — While we might think of "elder" and "younger" sisters as referring to age, here they actually point to size and significance, with Samaria being the "greater" kingdom and Sodom the "lesser" city. The…
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Last reviewed October 2026
