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.

EZEKIEL 16:47KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 16:47 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:47 mean?

Ezekiel 16:47 says that Jerusalem had not only followed the sinful ways and detestable practices of its neighbors, but had become even more corrupt than them in every way. The verse highlights that Jerusalem’s behavior was worse than that of the nations it was being compared to.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem. The situation is a rebuke: God is pointing out that Jerusalem has gone beyond the sins of its “sisters” (Samaria and Sodom, mentioned in the surrounding verses) and become even more depraved. The verse uses strong language to show that Jerusalem’s actions were not just similar to those of other sinful cities, but actually exceeded them.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:47

  • “walked” (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word often means to live or conduct oneself. Here, it points to following a certain way of life, not just physical movement.
  • “abominations” (תּוֹעֵבָה, to‘evah): This word refers to things that are detestable or morally repugnant, especially in a religious sense. It emphasizes the seriousness of Jerusalem’s actions.
  • “corrupted” (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to ruin or spoil, often with a sense of moral decay. The verse uses it to stress that Jerusalem’s behavior was not just wrong, but deeply destructive.

Why Ezekiel 16:47 matters

  • This verse corrects the idea that Jerusalem was simply as bad as other nations; it insists that Jerusalem’s corruption actually surpassed them.
  • The verse is a turning point in Ezekiel’s message, showing that privilege and knowledge of God did not prevent Jerusalem from falling even further.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the depth of the accusation God is making, setting up the contrast for later promises of restoration.

Where else these words appear

“little” Hebrew H6962 · used in 7 verses

  • Psalms 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
  • Psalms 139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
  • 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.

“they” Hebrew H2004 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
  • Leviticus 11:21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;
  • Jeremiah 4:29 The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.

“little” Hebrew H4592 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 1 Samuel 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
  • Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.