Ezekiel 16:61

KJV

Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then thou shalt remember {H2142} thy ways {H1870}, and be ashamed {H3637}, when thou shalt receive {H3947} thy sisters {H269}, thine elder {H1419} and thy younger {H6996}: and I will give {H5414} them unto thee for daughters {H1323}, but not by thy covenant {H1285}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then you will remember your behavior and be ashamed of it as you receive your older and younger sisters and make them your daughters, even though the covenant with you does not cover that;

Berean Standard Bible

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of My covenant with you.

American Standard Version

Then shalt thou remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder sisters and thy younger; and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:61 serves as a pivotal declaration within God's extended allegory against Jerusalem, unveiling a future, divinely initiated restoration. Despite Jerusalem's egregious spiritual adultery and profound covenant unfaithfulness, God promises a time when she will profoundly recall her sinful "ways" and be overwhelmed with a deep, humbling shame. This profound humiliation will precede a radical act of grace: God will enable Jerusalem to embrace her formerly despised "sisters"—Samaria and Sodom—receiving them as "daughters," signifying a new, inclusive familial relationship. Crucially, this comprehensive restoration will not be predicated on Jerusalem's broken covenant or any human merit, but entirely on God's sovereign initiative and a new, unmerited divine arrangement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 16 unfolds as a lengthy and poignant allegory, vividly portraying Jerusalem's history as a narrative of profound unfaithfulness. The chapter begins with God recounting finding Jerusalem as an abandoned infant, raising her with lavish care, and entering into a binding covenant with her ([Ezekiel 16:1-14](/ezekiel/16-1-14 "Ezekiel 16:1-14 - God's Covenant with Jerusalem")). However, Jerusalem subsequently prostituted herself with foreign nations and idols, committing egregious spiritual adultery ([Ezekiel 16:15-52](/ezekiel/16-15-52 "Ezekiel 16:15-52 - Jerusalem's Spiritual Adultery")). The preceding verses detail God's righteous judgment for this betrayal, particularly for [breaking her covenant](/ezekiel/16-59 "Ezekiel 16:59 - Jerusalem's Broken Covenant") and [disregarding her oath](/ezekiel/16-60 "Ezekiel 16:60 - God's Remembrance of His Covenant"). Yet, in a surprising and grace-filled pivot ([Ezekiel 16:53-63](/ezekiel/16-53-63 "Ezekiel 16:53-63 - The Promise of Restoration")), God promises a future restoration, not only for Jerusalem but also for her "sisters," Samaria (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) and Sodom (representing the epitome of Gentile sin). Verse 61 specifically looks forward to a time when Jerusalem, humbled by her own greater guilt, will embrace these previously disdained entities in a new, divinely ordained relationship, setting the stage for the ultimate promise of an everlasting covenant in [Ezekiel 16:62](/ezekiel/16-62 "Ezekiel 16:62 - The Everlasting Covenant").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy is the traumatic Babylonian exile, a period of profound national humiliation and theological crisis for Judah (Jerusalem). Culturally, "covenant" (`bᵉrîyth`) was a foundational concept in the ancient Near East, representing a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed with elaborate rituals like passing between pieces of flesh, outlining mutual obligations and severe consequences for breach. God's covenant with Israel at Sinai established their unique relationship and the Law, setting them apart. Jerusalem's alliances with foreign powers and adoption of their idolatrous practices were viewed as spiritual prostitution, a direct betrayal of this exclusive covenant. The inclusion of Samaria (the capital of the apostate northern kingdom, despised for its syncretism) and Sodom (a byword for extreme wickedness, often associated with Gentile depravity) as "sisters" highlights Jerusalem's profound moral degradation, as she was deemed even more corrupt than these notorious entities. The idea of Jerusalem receiving them as "daughters" signifies a radical reversal of status and a new, divinely initiated family structure that defies conventional expectations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice** for covenant unfaithfulness, yet simultaneously reveals God's **Persistent and Unfailing Grace**. The "remembering" and "shame" highlight the necessity of **Humility and Repentance** as a prerequisite for genuine restoration, not as a means to earn it, but as a recognition of God's unmerited favor. The inclusion of "sisters" points to the **Radical Inclusivity of God's Future Kingdom**, where former outcasts are brought into a new relationship. Most significantly, the phrase "but not by thy covenant" introduces the profound theme of a **New Covenant**, one not predicated on human performance or the broken Mosaic Law, but on God's sovereign initiative and grace, powerfully foreshadowing the promises found in passages like [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of the New Covenant") and [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This primitive root means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention." In this context, it signifies more than a mere recollection of facts; it implies a deep, convicting awareness and internalizing of past actions, leading to a profound sense of accountability and a recognition of sin's gravity.
* **ashamed (Hebrew, _kâlam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult." In this passive form, it conveys being "put to confusion" or "reproached." The shame described is not merely superficial embarrassment but a deep, internal conviction and humiliation over the enormity of her betrayal, a necessary prelude to genuine repentance and the reception of unmerited grace.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root suggesting "cutting" (referencing the ancient practice of passing between cut pieces of flesh to ratify a compact), this term denotes "a compact, confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league." Here, it refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant, which Israel repeatedly broke. The phrase "not by thy covenant" emphasizes that the future restoration will operate on an entirely new, unmerited basis, highlighting God's sovereign grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then thou shalt remember thy ways,"**: This clause indicates a future, divinely enabled moment of profound introspection and self-awareness for Jerusalem. It signifies a deep, convicting recollection of her entire history of unfaithfulness, her chosen "roads" of sin and rebellion against God's covenant. This remembrance is not passive but active, leading to a painful but necessary recognition of the enormity of her betrayal.
* **"and be ashamed,"**: Following the remembrance, a deep sense of shame and humiliation will overcome Jerusalem. This is not a superficial embarrassment but a profound conviction over her spiritual harlotry and covenant breaking. This shame is a necessary, God-ordained response to her past actions, preparing her heart for genuine humility and the reception of unmerited grace.
* **"when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger:"**: This marks a radical reversal of status and expectation. Jerusalem, who once considered herself superior to Samaria (the "elder" sister, representing the Northern Kingdom) and Sodom (the "younger" sister, representing the epitome of Gentile wickedness), will now be humbled to the point of "receiving" them. This implies an acknowledgment of their shared humanity and, more shockingly, a recognition that Jerusalem's own sin was greater than theirs, leading to a new, inclusive relationship.
* **"and I will give them unto thee for daughters,"**: This is the core of God's gracious initiative. The phrase "I will give them" highlights God's sovereign agency in this new arrangement. He actively bestows these "sisters" upon Jerusalem, transforming their relationship into one of familial intimacy and care, where Jerusalem will nurture and guide them as a mother does her daughters. This signifies a broad, inclusive future restoration that transcends traditional boundaries, revealing God's expansive redemptive plan.
* **"but not by thy covenant."**: This crucial phrase underscores the unmerited nature of this divine act. The restoration and the new familial relationship are explicitly stated as *not* being based on Jerusalem's original Mosaic Covenant, which she had repeatedly broken through her unfaithfulness. Instead, it points to a new, entirely gracious divine arrangement, a covenant of grace that God will establish, independent of Israel's past performance or future merit, profoundly foreshadowing the New Covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:61, within the broader chapter, masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The entire chapter functions as an **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified as a woman whose life story mirrors Israel's spiritual journey from abandonment to covenant relationship, and then to profound unfaithfulness and eventual restoration. **Personification** is central, as Jerusalem is depicted with human characteristics, experiencing emotions like shame and taking on a maternal role. There is a powerful sense of **Irony** in Jerusalem, who once disdained Samaria and Sodom, now being humbled to "receive" them, and even more so in God's unmerited grace being extended despite her greater guilt. The phrase "but not by thy covenant" serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, hinting at a future theological reality—the New Covenant—that will operate on entirely different principles than the old, broken Mosaic Law, emphasizing grace over human merit and performance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:61 stands as a profound testament to God's persistent and redemptive grace, even in the face of egregious human unfaithfulness. It reveals that while God's justice demands judgment for sin, His ultimate purpose is restoration, rooted not in human merit but in His own sovereign character and unchangeable covenant faithfulness. The deep shame Jerusalem experiences is a necessary, humbling step, preparing her to receive a grace she could never earn. This verse also broadens the scope of God's redemptive plan, indicating a future inclusion of those previously considered outsiders (Samaria and Sodom) into a new, divinely ordained family. This radical inclusivity and the explicit declaration that this new relationship is "not by thy covenant" powerfully foreshadow the New Covenant, where salvation and belonging are based entirely on God's initiative and grace, not on human performance of the Law.

* [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of the New Covenant") - Prophesies a new covenant where God writes His law on hearts and remembers sin no more, not like the broken old covenant.
* [Hosea 2:19-20](/hosea/2-19-20 "Hosea 2:19-20 - God's Everlasting Covenant of Love") - Describes God betrothing Israel to Himself forever in righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and mercy, pointing to an enduring, gracious relationship.
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners") - Highlights God's demonstration of love by sending Christ to die for us "while we were still sinners," underscoring the unmerited nature of His grace.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:61 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today, mirroring God's persistent grace in our own lives. Just as Jerusalem was called to remember her "ways" and be "ashamed," we too are invited to honestly confront our own sins, failures, and moments of spiritual unfaithfulness. This is not for condemnation, but for a healthy, humbling recognition of our deep need for God's grace. True repentance involves this deep, internal shame over sin, which then opens the door to fully appreciate the magnitude of God's unmerited love and forgiveness. Furthermore, the radical inclusion of Samaria and Sodom as "daughters" challenges us to embrace a similar spirit of inclusivity within the church, welcoming all whom God draws, regardless of their past or perceived social standing. Our relationship with God, like the new arrangement for Jerusalem, is not based on our performance or adherence to a legalistic "covenant," but on the free gift of His grace through faith, empowering us to live out of a new heart and a renewed spirit, reflecting His boundless compassion to a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "ways" might I need to remember my own past actions and experience a healthy, God-honoring shame that leads to deeper humility and repentance?**
* **How does the concept of God's unmerited grace, as seen in this verse, transform my understanding of my relationship with Him and my efforts to earn His favor?**
* **Who are the "Sodom and Samaria" in my life or in the church today—those I might be tempted to look down upon or exclude—and how can I embrace God's call to radical inclusivity?**
* **What does it mean for my daily walk to live "not by thy covenant" (of performance) but by God's new covenant of grace, trusting in His faithfulness rather than my own?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "sisters" mentioned in this verse, and what do they represent?**

Answer: The "sisters" mentioned are "thine elder" and "thy younger." In the context of Ezekiel 16, "thine elder" refers to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had a long history of idolatry and apostasy. "Thy younger" refers to Sodom, a city infamous for its extreme wickedness, often used as an archetype for Gentile depravity. These "sisters" represent entities that Jerusalem (Judah) historically viewed as inferior or utterly corrupt. By including them, God highlights Jerusalem's even greater guilt, as her unfaithfulness, despite having the Law and the Temple, was deemed worse than theirs. Their inclusion in the future restoration signifies God's broad, inclusive plan of salvation that transcends traditional boundaries, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family.

**What is the significance of the phrase "but not by thy covenant"?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant. It explicitly states that the future restoration and the new relationship God establishes with Jerusalem and her "sisters" will *not* be based on the Mosaic Covenant (the "thy covenant") that Israel had repeatedly broken. This covenant was conditional, promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Because Israel continually violated it through idolatry and unfaithfulness, it led to judgment and exile. The phrase "not by thy covenant" therefore points to a new, unconditional, and gracious divine arrangement. It powerfully foreshadows the promise of a [New Covenant](/jeremiah/31 "The New Covenant"), where God's promises are fulfilled not through human merit or adherence to law, but through His sovereign grace, initiating a relationship based on His faithfulness rather than Israel's.

**How does this verse relate to God's judgment on Israel?**

Answer: Ezekiel 16:61 appears within a chapter that is primarily a scathing indictment of Jerusalem's unfaithfulness and a declaration of God's righteous judgment upon her. The "remembering thy ways, and be ashamed" is a direct consequence of this judgment, leading to a necessary humiliation. However, the verse also marks a pivotal turn from judgment to a promise of future restoration. It shows that even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is redemptive. The shame is not for annihilation but for transformation, preparing Jerusalem to receive a grace that she does not deserve. Thus, the verse demonstrates that God's judgment, while severe, is always aimed at bringing His people to a place of humility and readiness for His unmerited grace and restoration, ultimately fulfilled through a [new covenant](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - The Superiority of the New Covenant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:61 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "new covenant" subtly hinted at in "but not by thy covenant" is precisely the [New Covenant inaugurated by Christ's sacrificial death](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood"). Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus fully satisfied the righteous demands of the old covenant, which humanity, like ancient Israel, continually broke. 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"), providing the means for genuine shame over sin to be met with complete forgiveness and cleansing, rather than condemnation. The radical inclusion of "sisters" like Samaria and Sodom, once despised, into a new familial relationship with Jerusalem, powerfully foreshadows the expansive, boundary-breaking nature of the church, where [Jew and Gentile are united in Christ](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Gentiles Included in Christ") as one new humanity, breaking down all dividing walls of hostility. Our adoption as "daughters" and "sons" of God is not based on our own "covenant" performance or merit, but entirely on God's sovereign grace received through faith in Jesus Christ, who is the [mediator of a better covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant") founded on better promises. In Christ, the remembrance of our "ways" leads not to despair, but to profound gratitude for the unmerited grace that transforms us and brings us into God's eternal family.

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

Hebrews 8:13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Galatians 4:26

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Galatians 4:31

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Ezekiel 20:43

And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Jeremiah 31:18

¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.

Jeremiah 31:20

[Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.