Ezekiel 16:47

KJV

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as [if that were] a very little [thing], thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet hast thou not walked {H1980} after their ways {H1870}, nor done {H6213} after their abominations {H8441}: but, as if that were a very {H6985} little {H4592}{H6962} thing, thou wast corrupted {H7843} more than they {H2004} in all thy ways {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You didn't merely live by their ways and act according to their disgusting practices, but in a very short time you acted more corruptly than they in all your ways.

Berean Standard Bible

And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were.

American Standard Version

Yet hast thou not walked in their ways, nor done after their abominations; but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast more corrupt than they in all thy ways.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:47 delivers a profoundly shocking indictment against Jerusalem, declaring her moral and spiritual corruption to be even more pervasive and detestable than that of her infamous "sisters," Samaria and Sodom. Despite having been uniquely chosen, lavished with divine grace, and entrusted with the covenant, Jerusalem's unfaithfulness and idolatry escalated to an unprecedented degree. This verse underscores a critical theological principle: greater privilege and knowledge of God's truth bring greater accountability for sin, revealing a deep-seated depravity in the heart of God's chosen city that surpassed even the most notorious examples of wickedness in the ancient world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 16 unfolds as an extended, powerful, and deeply disturbing allegory, portraying Jerusalem's spiritual history as that of an abandoned infant rescued, raised, and adorned by Yahweh as His bride, only for her to become an egregious prostitute. The chapter meticulously details God's lavish care and Jerusalem's subsequent, escalating unfaithfulness through idolatry, foreign alliances, and even child sacrifice. Verses 44-46 introduce Jerusalem's "sisters"—Samaria (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) and Sodom (the archetypal city of extreme wickedness)—setting up a proverb that suggests Jerusalem is merely a product of her "mother" and "sisters." [Ezekiel 16:44](/ezekiel/16-44 "Ezekiel 16:44 - The Proverb of the Daughter") states, "Every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter." This proverb establishes the expectation that Jerusalem would be as wicked as her predecessors. However, the dramatic and devastating declaration in verse 47 subverts this expectation by asserting that Jerusalem's corruption was not merely comparable, but shockingly *surpassed* that of her infamous "sisters," highlighting her unique and amplified guilt before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound national crisis and theological reckoning for the people of Judah. Jerusalem, as the capital, was considered the holy city, the dwelling place of God's temple, and the spiritual center of the covenant people. Samaria represented the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had fallen to Assyria centuries earlier due to its persistent idolatry and rejection of Yahweh. Sodom, destroyed by divine judgment in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), served as the biblical archetype of extreme moral depravity and divine wrath, often invoked as a benchmark for egregious sin. In this cultural context, "abominations" (Hebrew: _tôwʻêbah_) referred to practices utterly detestable to God, primarily idolatry, child sacrifice, and various sexual perversions, which directly violated the Mosaic covenant. For Jerusalem, a city uniquely privileged with God's presence, His Law, and His covenant promises, to engage in such practices, and even surpass the wickedness of these notorious cities, represented the ultimate betrayal of her sacred relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes **Amplified Guilt and Greater Accountability**, asserting that Jerusalem's sin was not merely equivalent to that of Sodom and Samaria, but was even more profound and detestable. Having received God's covenant, His law, and His lavish blessings, her apostasy constituted a far greater betrayal. This concept resonates deeply with the principle articulated by Jesus in [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given"), that "to whom much is given, much will be required." Secondly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Spiritual Adultery and Unfaithfulness**, which is the overarching metaphor of Ezekiel 16. Jerusalem's turning to idols and foreign alliances is depicted as a profound act of spiritual infidelity against the Lord, her divine husband. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Divine Indignation and Just Judgment**, explaining the severity of the impending judgment and the reasons for the city's eventual downfall and exile, demonstrating God's righteous response to such profound covenant unfaithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ways (Hebrew, _derek'_):** From H1870, this word literally means "a road (as trodden)" but figuratively refers to a "course of life or mode of action." In Ezekiel 16:47, it denotes the moral and spiritual conduct, practices, and overall lifestyle of Sodom, Samaria, and, most damningly, Jerusalem. The repetition of "ways" emphasizes that Jerusalem's entire pattern of behavior, her chosen path, had become utterly corrupt and deviated from God's righteous standards.
* **Corrupted (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** From H7843, this primitive root means "to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)." It implies a process of moral and spiritual deterioration, destruction, or defilement. When applied to Jerusalem, it highlights the profound and pervasive moral rot that had set in, leading to a state of utter depravity. This corruption was not superficial but deeply ingrained, leading to a ruinous state that surpassed even the notorious examples of Sodom and Samaria.
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** From H8441, this term refers to "something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol." It is a strong theological term for practices that are utterly detestable to God, often associated with pagan worship, sexual perversion, and other grave violations of the covenant. Jerusalem's engagement in and escalation of these "abominations" signifies a direct, defiant, and deeply offensive affront to God's holiness and covenant stipulations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations:"** This opening clause is deeply ironic and sarcastic. On the surface, it might seem to exculpate Jerusalem, suggesting she avoided the specific sins of Sodom and Samaria. However, the subsequent clause immediately negates this, implying that Jerusalem did not merely imitate them but found her own, even more egregious, path to corruption. The phrasing highlights that Jerusalem's sin was not a mere consequence of external influence but an independent, even greater, trajectory of rebellion and moral innovation in depravity.
* **"but, as [if that were] a very little [thing],"** This parenthetical phrase, though supplied in the KJV, accurately captures the biting sarcasm and disdain in the original Hebrew. It suggests Jerusalem's casual and dismissive attitude towards the sins of Sodom and Samaria, as if their wickedness was insignificant or easily surpassed. This implies a profound spiritual arrogance and a complete lack of moral discernment on Jerusalem's part, as she viewed even the most heinous sins as trivial benchmarks to be exceeded.
* **"thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways."** This is the devastating punchline of the verse, delivering the ultimate indictment. It declares Jerusalem's ultimate guilt: her moral decay and spiritual depravity (H7843, _shâchath_) had exceeded that of Sodom and Samaria. The phrase "more than they" (H2004, _hên_) is emphatic, highlighting the comparative degree of her wickedness. The final phrase "in all thy ways" (H1870, _derek_) underscores the pervasive nature of her corruption, indicating that her entire course of life, her every mode of action, and her very being were utterly defiled and alienated from God.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:47 employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and damning message. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the verse opens with a seemingly exculpatory statement ("Yet hast thou not walked after their ways...") only to immediately pivot to a damning indictment that Jerusalem's corruption was far worse. This ironic twist serves to shock the reader and underscore Jerusalem's amplified guilt. The KJV's parenthetical "[if that were] a very little [thing]" also highlights **Sarcasm**, conveying God's profound disdain for Jerusalem's casual and dismissive attitude towards her own immense depravity, as if the wickedness of Sodom and Samaria was a minor feat to surpass. Furthermore, the entire chapter, including this verse, relies on **Allegory** and **Personification**, portraying Jerusalem as an unfaithful woman, a bride who tragically betrayed her divine husband. This allows for a vivid and emotionally charged depiction of the covenant relationship and its profound violation. Finally, the declaration that Jerusalem was "corrupted more than they" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and unprecedented nature of her wickedness, though in a prophetic context, it also conveys a literal spiritual reality of her unparalleled moral degradation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:47 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that greater privilege and revelation bring greater accountability. Jerusalem, chosen by God, lavished with His grace, and entrusted with His covenant and law, had a unique and intimate relationship with Yahweh. Her sins, therefore, were not merely acts of disobedience but profound betrayals of a sacred covenant, making her guilt far more grievous than that of nations who had not received such divine light or experienced such intimate divine care. This verse serves as a stark reminder that spiritual blessings are not merely gifts but also responsibilities, and their abuse or neglect leads to a heightened degree of divine judgment. It challenges any notion of self-righteousness or complacent assurance among those who consider themselves God's people, emphasizing that outward religious observance without inward faithfulness leads to a deeper, more detestable corruption in God's sight.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required") – "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes: but he that knew, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with many stripes: for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
* [Amos 3:2](/amos/3-2 "Amos 3:2 - Israel's Unique Responsibility") – "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."
* [Hebrews 10:29](/hebrews/10-29 "Hebrews 10:29 - Consequences of Rejecting Christ") – "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:47 serves as a sobering mirror for all who claim to be God's people, urging a profound self-examination rather than complacent self-righteousness. It warns against the insidious danger of spiritual pride, where one might look down upon the sins of others or other communities while being blind to, or even excelling in, one's own deeper, more subtle forms of corruption. For those who have received the light of God's Word, the transformative grace of Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there is a higher standard of living and faithfulness. Our sins, when committed against the backdrop of such immense divine revelation, covenant love, and redemptive power, carry a weight of betrayal that can be more grievous in God's sight. This verse calls us to genuine humility, continuous repentance, and a vigilant pursuit of holiness, recognizing that our privileged position in Christ demands a life of sincere devotion and obedience, lest we, too, fall into a more profound state of spiritual corruption than those who have known less of God's truth. It compels us to ask: are we truly walking in God's ways, or are we, like ancient Jerusalem, allowing a deeper, more insidious form of unfaithfulness to take root?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my Christian community, be susceptible to spiritual pride, believing ourselves superior to others while harboring subtle or overt forms of corruption?**
* **How does my understanding of God's immense grace and revealed truth increase my responsibility to live a life of holiness and integrity?**
* **What specific "ways" or "abominations" in my life or the culture of my church might God view as particularly grievous, given the light and knowledge I have received through Christ?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of genuine humility and continuous repentance, actively guarding against complacency in my spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jerusalem's sin considered worse than Sodom's or Samaria's?**

Answer: Jerusalem's sin was considered worse primarily because of the immense privilege and unique covenant relationship she had with Yahweh. Unlike Sodom, which was a pagan city without the Mosaic Law or a direct covenant, and unlike Samaria, which had long turned from God, Jerusalem was the chosen city, the dwelling place of God's temple, and the recipient of His explicit laws, prophets, and lavish care. Her unfaithfulness was not merely ignorance but a profound betrayal of a divine husband ([Ezekiel 16:32](/ezekiel/16-32 "Ezekiel 16:32 - Jerusalem's Adultery")). The greater the light and knowledge received, the greater the accountability for disobedience. Jerusalem's corruption was therefore a more grievous affront to God's holiness and love, demonstrating a deeper ingratitude and defiance.

**Does this mean God judges some sins more harshly than others?**

Answer: Yes, the Bible consistently teaches that God's judgment is proportionate to the knowledge and privilege received. While all sin is an offense against God and separates us from Him, the degree of culpability can vary. [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - The Principle of Accountability") clearly states, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." Those who have been given more revelation, more opportunities to know and obey God, and who have experienced His grace more intimately, bear a greater responsibility. Their rebellion is seen as a more profound act of ingratitude and defiance against a God who has revealed Himself so fully. This principle applies not only to nations like Jerusalem but also to individuals who have heard the gospel and experienced God's saving grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:47, while a devastating indictment of Jerusalem's unparalleled corruption and a testament to humanity's profound failure, ultimately points to the glorious provision of Christ. The utter inability of Israel, despite God's lavish love, covenant, and law, to keep God's "ways" and avoid "abominations" through self-effort, demonstrates the desperate need for a new covenant and a perfect mediator. Jesus Christ is the perfectly faithful Israelite, the true Son of God who, unlike unfaithful Jerusalem, walked in perfect obedience to God's ways, never succumbing to corruption or committing abominations. His sinless life stands in stark contrast to the pervasive depravity described in Ezekiel. Furthermore, the "corruption" and "abominations" that provoked God's righteous judgment upon Jerusalem are precisely what Christ came to bear and atone for. 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 divine wrath and judgment that unfaithful Israel deserved. Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers cleansing from all "abominations" and provides a "new heart and a new spirit" ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - The Promise of a New Heart")) to those who believe, enabling them to truly walk in God's statutes and keep His judgments, fulfilling what Israel could not. Thus, Ezekiel 16:47 indirectly magnifies the redemptive work of Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's righteous demands and offers true transformation from the very corruption it condemns.

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

2 Kings 21:9

But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel.

Ezekiel 16:51

Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.

Ezekiel 5:6

And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that [are] round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.

Ezekiel 5:7

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that [are] round about you, [and] have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done according to the judgments of the nations that [are] round about you;

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.

1 Kings 16:31

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

Ezekiel 8:17

Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.