Ezekiel 16:56

For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,

For thy sister {H269} Sodom {H5467} was not mentioned {H8052} by thy mouth {H6310} in the day {H3117} of thy pride {H1347},

When you were so proud, you spoke with contempt about your sister S'dom,

Did you not treat your sister Sodom as an object of scorn in the day of your pride,

For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,

Commentary on Ezekiel 16:56 (KJV)

"For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,"

Context

Ezekiel 16 is one of the most vivid and striking allegories in the Old Testament, portraying God's relationship with Jerusalem (representing the nation of Israel). In this chapter, God recounts how He found Jerusalem as an abandoned infant, raised her, adorned her with splendor, and entered into a covenant with her. However, Jerusalem, despite God's abundant blessings, turned to spiritual harlotry, prostituting herself with foreign idols and alliances, becoming utterly unfaithful. The shocking climax of the chapter is God's declaration that Jerusalem's sins were so egregious that she made Sodom and Samaria appear righteous in comparison. Verse 56 specifically zeroes in on Jerusalem's arrogant mindset: in her "day of pride," she wouldn't even deign to mention Sodom, viewing herself as far superior and untouched by such depravity, completely blind to her own greater wickedness. This sets the stage for God's just judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Blinding Pride and Arrogance: Jerusalem's profound self-exaltation prevented her from acknowledging the depth of her own moral and spiritual corruption. She looked down on Sodom, failing to recognize that her actions had surpassed Sodom's wickedness. This spiritual blindness, often fueled by pride, is a recurring theme of prophetic warning.
  • Hypocrisy and Self-Righteousness: The verse powerfully exposes Jerusalem's hypocrisy. While condemning or dismissing notorious sinners like Sodom, she was guilty of even greater offenses against God's covenant. This serves as a stark warning against judging others while being steeped in greater personal sin, a theme echoed in the New Testament (Matthew 7:3).
  • Severity of Jerusalem's Sin: The comparison is not merely rhetorical; it emphasizes the profound betrayal of a covenant relationship with God. Jerusalem, having received unparalleled grace and privilege, abused it to an extent that even Sodom, which sinned without such light, seemed less culpable in God's eyes.
  • Divine Justice and Judgment: This verse underscores the righteousness of God's coming judgment. Jerusalem's pride and unfaithfulness made her ripe for the consequences of her actions, demonstrating that pride goes before destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pride" here is גָּאוֹן (ga'on). While ga'on can sometimes refer to majesty, splendor, or excellence (often in a positive sense when describing God or His people in prosperity), in this context, it unequivocally denotes arrogance, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. It describes a puffed-up state of mind that dismisses others and fails to see one's own faults. The mention of "Sodom" immediately brings to mind a universally recognized symbol of extreme moral depravity and divine wrath, heightening the impact of the comparison.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:56 offers timeless lessons for individuals and communities:

  • Cultivate Humility: This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of spiritual pride and self-righteousness. True spiritual health begins with humility and a willingness to acknowledge one's own faults and dependence on God. We are called to examine ourselves honestly before God.
  • Beware of Hypocrisy: It challenges us to look inward rather than outward when assessing sin. Condemning others while harboring greater sins in our own lives is a form of hypocrisy that God abhors. Authenticity and integrity are paramount in our walk with God.
  • Learn from History: Just as Jerusalem failed to learn from Sodom's fate, we are exhorted to learn from biblical narratives and the mistakes of others. Ignoring past warnings and believing ourselves immune to consequences can lead to similar downfalls.
  • God's Standard of Righteousness: The passage reminds us that God's judgment is based on truth and righteousness, not on our self-perception or external appearances. He sees the heart and holds us accountable for our actions, especially in light of the knowledge and blessings we have received.
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.

  • Luke 15:28

    And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

  • Luke 15:30

    But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • Zephaniah 3:11

    In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

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