Ezekiel 16:52

Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

Thou also, which hast judged {H6419} thy sisters {H269}, bear {H5375} thine own shame {H3639} for thy sins {H2403} that thou hast committed more abominable {H8581} than they {H2004}: they are more righteous {H6663} than thou: yea, be thou confounded {H954} also, and bear {H5375} thy shame {H3639}, in that thou hast justified {H6663} thy sisters {H269}.

But you too must bear your disgrace; for by your passing judgment that your sisters were innocent, through your having committed sins worse than theirs, they are shown to be more righteous than you. So be ashamed, and bear the disgrace you deserve for making your [guilty] sisters seem innocent!

So now you must bear your disgrace, since you have brought justification for your sisters. For they appear more righteous than you, because your sins were more vile than theirs. So you too must bear your shame and disgrace, since you have made your sisters appear righteous.

Thou also, bear thou thine own shame, in that thou hast given judgment for thy sisters; through thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou also confounded, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

Ezekiel 16:52 is part of a powerful and disturbing prophetic allegory where God confronts Jerusalem (personified as an unfaithful bride) with the severity of her spiritual adultery and idolatry. In this verse, the Lord pronounces judgment upon Jerusalem, highlighting the astounding depth of her sin by comparing her to her "sisters," Samaria (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) and Sodom.

Context

Chapter 16 of Ezekiel is an extended parable detailing Jerusalem's history from her humble origins to her rise, her covenant with God, and her subsequent betrayal through idolatry and spiritual harlotry. God describes her as having committed sins far more egregious than those of Samaria to her north and Sodom to her south. Jerusalem, despite being given more privilege and revelation, engaged in more abominable practices, including child sacrifice and extreme idolatry. This verse delivers the shocking verdict: Jerusalem, who once judged these cities, is now found to be worse than them, so much so that her wickedness inadvertently makes her "sisters" seem righteous by comparison.

Key Themes

  • Greater Guilt, Greater Judgment: Jerusalem's sin is magnified due to her unique relationship with God and the greater light she received. This principle is echoed in other scriptures, suggesting that those with greater knowledge bear greater responsibility.
  • Profound Humiliation: The command to "bear thine own shame" and "be thou confounded" emphasizes the public and humiliating nature of Jerusalem's impending judgment. Her pride in judging others will be replaced by deep disgrace as her own depravity is exposed.
  • Relative Righteousness: The phrase "they are more righteous than thou" is a stark rhetorical device. It does not imply Sodom or Samaria were truly righteous, but rather highlights the extreme depths to which Jerusalem had fallen, making even notoriously wicked cities appear less culpable in comparison.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "shame" (bōsheth) used multiple times in this verse, conveys a strong sense of disgrace, humiliation, and confusion. It's a key emotion God intends Jerusalem to experience as a consequence of her rebellion. The idea of "justifying" (tsadaq) her sisters is not about declaring them innocent, but rather, by her own greater wickedness, making their sins appear less severe in comparison, thereby relatively "vindicating" them.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:52 serves as a powerful warning against spiritual pride and hypocrisy. It reminds us that:

  • Self-Righteousness is Dangerous: We must be careful not to condemn others while overlooking our own deeper failings. The Lord sees the heart and judges fairly.
  • Responsibility Increases with Privilege: Those who have been given more (e.g., divine revelation, spiritual blessings, opportunities for growth) are held to a higher standard. This is a theme reflected in passages like Luke 12:48, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
  • God's Judgment Exposes Truth: Ultimately, God's judgment brings hidden sins to light and reveals the true state of hearts and nations, leading to either repentance or utter shame.
This verse encourages introspection and a humble recognition of our own need for grace, rather than looking down on others.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 7:1

    Judge not, that ye be not judged.

  • Matthew 7:5

    Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

  • Jeremiah 51:51

    We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD'S house.

  • Ezekiel 36:31

    Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that [were] not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

  • Ezekiel 36:32

    Not for your sakes do I [this], saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

  • Romans 6:21

    What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.

  • Genesis 38:26

    And Judah acknowledged [them], and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

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