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.

EZEKIEL 16:46KJV
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Ezekiel 16:46 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:46 mean?

Ezekiel 16:46 says that Jerusalem is like a middle sister, with Samaria as her older sister and Sodom as her younger sister, each with their own "daughters" (smaller towns or people connected to them), living on either side of her. The verse uses family language to show how Jerusalem is related to these other cities, both in location and in behavior.

In this verse, God is speaking to Jerusalem through the prophet Ezekiel. God is comparing Jerusalem to Samaria (to the north) and Sodom (to the south), two cities known for their wrongdoing and eventual destruction. By calling them "sisters," God is highlighting that Jerusalem shares in their guilt and is not set apart from their failures, despite what the people might have thought.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:46

  • "Elder" (גָּדוֹל, gadol; H1419) and "younger" (קָטָן, qatan; H6996) are used to describe Samaria and Sodom in relation to Jerusalem, not by age but by status or position, emphasizing a family hierarchy.
  • "Sister" (אָחוֹת, achot; H269) is used for all three cities, making the comparison more personal and direct, suggesting shared traits or destinies.
  • "Daughters" (בַּת, bat; H1323) refers to the smaller towns or settlements associated with each main city, showing the broader influence and community around each.
  • "Hand" (שְׂמֹאל, semol; H8040 for "left" and יָמִין, yamin; H3225 for "right") is a Hebrew way of describing direction, with Samaria to the left (north) and Sodom to the right (south) from Jerusalem’s perspective.

Why Ezekiel 16:46 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Jerusalem was uniquely righteous; instead, it places Jerusalem in the same group as two famously sinful cities, showing that God sees their actions as similar.
  • The family language makes the point more vivid, showing that Jerusalem cannot claim innocence by association or geography.
  • In the wider passage, this comparison sets up a strong warning: if God judged Samaria and Sodom, Jerusalem should not expect to escape judgment for similar behavior.

Where else these words appear

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

“hand” Hebrew H8040 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • Judges 3:21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
  • 2 Chronicles 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

“younger” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 31:15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.