Ezekiel 16:46

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thine elder {H1419} sister {H269} is Samaria {H8111}, she and her daughters {H1323} that dwell {H3427} at thy left hand {H8040}: and thy younger {H6996} sister {H269}, that dwelleth {H3427} at thy right hand {H3225}, is Sodom {H5467} and her daughters {H1323}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, your older sister is Shomron, who lives at your left, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, living at your right, is S'dom with her daughters.

Berean Standard Bible

Your older sister was Samaria, who lived with her daughters to your north; and your younger sister was Sodom, who lived with her daughters to your south.

American Standard Version

And thine elder sister is Samaria, that dwelleth at thy left hand, she and her daughters; and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:46 delivers a shocking and profoundly indicting declaration within God's extended allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful bride, revealing the unparalleled depth of her spiritual apostasy. In this verse, the Lord identifies Jerusalem's "elder sister" as Samaria (representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) and her "younger sister" as Sodom, thereby establishing a lineage of sin and asserting that Jerusalem's wickedness had surpassed even that of these notoriously sinful entities, making her guilt all the more profound in the eyes of God and justifying the severity of impending divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 is one of the most vivid and extended allegories in the prophetic literature, where God meticulously traces Jerusalem's history from its humble, abandoned origins (depicted as an unwashed infant in [Ezekiel 16:3-7](/ezekiel/16-3-7 "Ezekiel 16:3-7 - Jerusalem's Humble Beginnings")) to its lavish adornment by Yahweh, symbolizing His covenantal grace, provision, and intimate relationship. The chapter then graphically details Jerusalem's subsequent betrayal through idolatry, illicit alliances with foreign nations, and even child sacrifice, portraying these acts as spiritual prostitution and harlotry against her divine Husband. Verse 46 marks a critical and shocking turning point, as God introduces the unprecedented comparison of Jerusalem's sin to that of Samaria and Sodom. This comparison sets the stage for the even more astounding assertion in [Ezekiel 16:47](/ezekiel/16-47 "Ezekiel 16:47 - Jerusalem's Greater Abominations") that Jerusalem's abominations were worse than theirs, intensifying the indictment and foreshadowing the severity of the impending divine judgment and exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, serves as the "elder sister" in this allegory because the Northern Kingdom had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC due to its persistent idolatry, syncretism, and rejection of God's covenant ([2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Samaria")). Its location "at thy left hand" refers to its geographical position north of Judah, as one faces east. Sodom, infamous for its egregious wickedness and cataclysmic destruction by fire and brimstone in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), is paradoxically called the "younger sister." While historically much older, her inclusion here serves to highlight the shocking moral depravity Jerusalem had reached, making even Sodom's historical wickedness seem less egregious by comparison. Sodom's position "at thy right hand" refers to its location to the south of Judah, near the Dead Sea. The "daughters" in both cases refer to the surrounding towns and dependencies that participated in the central city's sins, implying a widespread corruption that emanated from these spiritual capitals, affecting their entire spheres of influence.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Ezekiel 16, powerfully encapsulated in verse 46, is the **unparalleled sin and spiritual apostasy** of Jerusalem. By comparing her to Samaria and Sodom, God emphasizes that Jerusalem's sins were not only comparable but, in some respects, even worse than those of famously wicked cities, underscoring the profound depth of her rebellion against a covenant-keeping God. This leads directly to the theme of **divine judgment**, as the severe condemnation in this chapter foreshadows the inevitable destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, a direct consequence of breaking the covenant. Furthermore, the entire chapter employs the pervasive metaphor of **spiritual adultery** and **unfaithfulness**, depicting Jerusalem as a bride who betrayed her covenant husband (Yahweh) through idolatry and reliance on foreign powers. This imagery highlights the intimate and personal nature of God's relationship with His people and the grievous offense of their betrayal. The concept of **God's righteous indignation** is also prominent, as His fury is a just response to such profound and persistent unfaithfulness, demonstrating His holiness and commitment to the sanctity of His covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **elder (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From the root meaning "great," this term signifies greatness in any sense, including age, size, or importance. Here, it specifically refers to "older" or "eldest," indicating Samaria's chronological precedence in falling into deep apostasy and judgment among the Israelite kingdoms. It underscores a historical progression of spiritual decline and serves as a warning of what awaits Judah.
* **daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to build" (as feminine of "son"), literally means "daughter." However, in a wider sense, as used here, it refers to the dependent towns, villages, or even inhabitants associated with a central city. It implies that the pervasive sin of Samaria and Sodom had spread its corrupting influence to their surrounding territories, making them complicit in the central city's wickedness and thus deserving of shared judgment.
* **younger (Hebrew, _qâṭân'_):** This term means "small," "diminutive," or "younger." While Sodom was historically much older than Jerusalem, its designation as "younger" here is a deliberate rhetorical device. It highlights the shocking paradox that Jerusalem, despite her privileged covenant relationship, had descended to a level of depravity that made even Sodom's notorious wickedness seem less significant or "smaller" in comparison to Jerusalem's current state, thereby magnifying Jerusalem's guilt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thine elder sister [is] Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand:"** God directly identifies Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, as Jerusalem's "elder sister." This designation is both geographical (Samaria being to the north, or "left hand," from Jerusalem's perspective facing east) and chronological, as the Northern Kingdom had already succumbed to idolatry and divine judgment. The inclusion of "her daughters" signifies the surrounding towns and villages that shared in Samaria's widespread spiritual corruption and apostasy, indicating a systemic unfaithfulness that extended beyond the capital city.
* **"and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, [is] Sodom and her daughters."** This clause introduces Sodom as Jerusalem's "younger sister." Geographically, Sodom was to the south, or "right hand," of Jerusalem. The "younger" designation is a profound rhetorical irony, as Sodom was destroyed centuries before Jerusalem's current state. This comparison serves to magnify Jerusalem's sin, implying that her wickedness had reached such a heinous degree that it eclipsed even the infamous depravity of Sodom, which was annihilated for its egregious sins against God and humanity. The "daughters" here similarly represent the surrounding settlements that participated in Sodom's moral decay, emphasizing the widespread nature of their depravity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:46 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The entire chapter is an extended **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified as an unfaithful foundling-turned-bride who descends into spiritual prostitution, and her actions are depicted through the metaphor of harlotry. Within this specific verse, **Personification** is evident as Samaria and Sodom are given familial relationships ("sister") to Jerusalem, treating entire cities as individuals within a sinful family lineage. There is profound **Irony** in Sodom being called the "younger sister," as it was destroyed long before Jerusalem's current state of sin; this serves to underscore the shocking extent of Jerusalem's depravity, suggesting that her wickedness has made even Sodom's seem comparatively "younger" or lesser. The **Juxtaposition** of Samaria and Sodom, two cities notorious for their wickedness, immediately sets a low standard against which Jerusalem's sin is measured, only to reveal that Jerusalem has surpassed even them. This comparison also employs **Hyperbole**, exaggerating Jerusalem's sin by claiming it exceeded that of Sodom, not necessarily in every single act, but in the context of her greater privilege and covenant relationship with God, thereby intensifying the indictment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:46 powerfully articulates the principle that divine judgment is proportional to divine privilege. Jerusalem, having received unparalleled grace, covenant, and revelation from God, was held to a higher standard than nations like Samaria (who also had a covenant but rejected it) or Sodom (who had no such covenant). Her sin was not merely a transgression but a profound betrayal of a sacred marital bond with Yahweh, a covenant sworn with an oath. This verse underscores the gravity of spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, revealing that God views the abandonment of His covenant and the pursuit of other gods or worldly alliances as the ultimate affront. It demonstrates God's unwavering justice, reminding us that He will not tolerate persistent rebellion, especially from those He has chosen and blessed. The comparison serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and the deceptive nature of sin, which can lead even the most privileged to depths of depravity that shock even the ungodly.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")
* [Romans 2:1-3](/romans/2-1-3 "Romans 2:1-3 - Judging Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:46 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine our own spiritual lives and communities. Just as Jerusalem, despite her unique covenant relationship with God, descended into a depravity that surpassed even notorious sinners, we too, as recipients of God's grace in Christ, are susceptible to spiritual complacency and subtle forms of idolatry. This verse challenges us to confront the insidious nature of sin, which often begins with small compromises and gradually leads to profound unfaithfulness. It reminds us that spiritual privilege—whether it be a rich theological heritage, a vibrant church community, or personal knowledge of the Scriptures—does not inoculate us against sin, but rather increases our accountability. Our "sisters" today might be the overtly godless cultures or individuals we are quick to condemn, while our own hearts or churches may harbor hidden idols of comfort, success, or self-righteousness. This passage calls us to a deep self-examination, urging us to guard against hypocrisy and to live out our faith with integrity, mindful that God holds His people to a higher standard, expecting a faithfulness commensurate with the grace received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own life or my community, despite spiritual blessings, be exhibiting subtle forms of "spiritual adultery" or idolatry?**
* **How does the concept of greater privilege leading to greater accountability challenge my understanding of sin and grace?**
* **What "daughters" (influences, habits, or associations) might be drawing me away from a pure devotion to God?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more sensitive to God's standards and more vigilant against the creeping nature of sin?**

### FAQ
**Why is Samaria called the "elder sister" and Sodom the "younger sister" when Sodom was destroyed much earlier?**

Answer: This is a deliberate rhetorical device used by God to emphasize Jerusalem's profound guilt, rather than a strict historical chronology. Samaria is the "elder sister" because the Northern Kingdom of Israel (whose capital was Samaria) had already fallen into deep apostasy and judgment before Judah, serving as a historical precedent and warning. Geographically, Samaria was to Jerusalem's north ("left hand" when facing east). Sodom, while indeed historically much older and destroyed in ancient times, is called the "younger sister" to highlight the shocking irony that Jerusalem's current moral depravity had become so extreme it made even Sodom's infamous wickedness seem "younger" or less significant by comparison. Geographically, Sodom was to Jerusalem's south ("right hand"). The primary point is not historical sequence but a shocking indictment of Jerusalem's unparalleled sin, implying that her abominations had surpassed even those of these notoriously wicked cities, making her guilt all the more egregious.

**What does "her daughters" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In biblical language, particularly when referring to a city, "daughters" (Hebrew, _bath'_) often denotes the surrounding towns, villages, or dependent settlements that are associated with or influenced by the main city. Thus, "Samaria and her daughters" refers to the capital of the Northern Kingdom and its surrounding towns, all of which participated in the widespread idolatry, syncretism, and unfaithfulness that led to their downfall. Similarly, "Sodom and her daughters" refers to Sodom and the cities of the plain (like Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, as mentioned in [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Deuteronomy 29:23 - The Cities of the Plain")), which shared in its notorious wickedness and subsequent destruction. It signifies the pervasive nature of the sin emanating from these central locations, indicating that the corruption was widespread and systemic.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:46, with its harsh indictment of Jerusalem's unparalleled sin and spiritual harlotry, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct prophecy, but in the ultimate solution to humanity's deep-seated unfaithfulness. The allegorical portrayal of Jerusalem as an unfaithful bride foreshadows the universal human condition of spiritual adultery against a holy God, a condition from which no one is exempt ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Just as Jerusalem's sin was magnified by her covenant privilege, so too is the sin of all humanity revealed in the light of God's perfect righteousness and His gracious pursuit. The judgment pronounced upon Jerusalem points forward to the necessary divine judgment against all sin. However, this judgment is ultimately borne by Christ on the cross. He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enduring the full wrath of God for our spiritual infidelity and rebellion. In Christ, the new covenant is established, not based on human faithfulness, but on His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant of Christ")). Through Him, a new people, the Church, is being prepared as a [pure and spotless bride](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ and His Church"), cleansed by His blood and made righteous by His Spirit, ultimately to be presented to Him without blemish at the [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"). Thus, Ezekiel's lament over Jerusalem's unfaithfulness ultimately magnifies the astonishing grace of God in providing a perfect Bridegroom who redeems and purifies His people, transforming spiritual harlots into a holy bride.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 23:4

And the names of them [were] Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus [were] their names; Samaria [is] Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.

Jeremiah 3:8

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Jeremiah 3:11

And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Ezekiel 16:48

[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

Ezekiel 16:49

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Genesis 13:10

¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Genesis 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.