As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

EZEKIEL 16:48KJV
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Ezekiel 16:48 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:48 mean?

Ezekiel 16:48 declares that Jerusalem’s actions have been even worse than those of Sodom, which is called Jerusalem’s “sister.” God is speaking, swearing by his own life, and making a strong comparison to show how serious Jerusalem’s wrongdoing has become.

In this verse, God is addressing Jerusalem through the prophet Ezekiel, during a time when the city had turned away from God and was living in ways that broke their covenant with him. By calling Sodom Jerusalem’s “sister” and saying Sodom had not done as badly, God is using a shocking comparison: Sodom was infamous for its evil, yet Jerusalem’s behavior has surpassed even that. This sets up the rest of the chapter, where God explains what made Jerusalem’s actions so serious.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:48

  • חַי (ḥay, “live”): This word is used as part of an oath formula, where God swears “as I live.” It emphasizes the seriousness and certainty of what God is about to say.
  • נְאֻם (ne’um, “saith”): This word signals a formal, prophetic declaration. It marks the statement as coming directly from God, not just the prophet’s opinion.
  • אֲדֹנָי (’Adonai, “Lord”) and יְהוִה (YHWH, “GOD”): Both titles are used together here, highlighting God’s authority and covenant relationship with Jerusalem.
  • עָשָׂה (’asah, “done”): This word is repeated to stress the actions or deeds being compared between Sodom and Jerusalem. The focus is on what each city has actually done, not just their reputation.

Why Ezekiel 16:48 matters

  • This verse challenges the common view that Sodom was the worst example of wickedness by saying Jerusalem’s actions were even worse, which would have shocked Ezekiel’s audience.
  • The comparison sets up the following verses, where God details the specific sins of Jerusalem and why the judgment is deserved.
  • It highlights the seriousness of breaking a relationship with God, especially for a people who had received special guidance and promises, making their actions even more significant in context.

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.

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest,(for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.