When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:

EZEKIEL 16:53KJV
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Ezekiel 16:53 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:53 mean?

Ezekiel 16:53 says that God will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, Samaria and her daughters, and also the fortunes of Jerusalem’s captives, placing them all together. This verse points to a future time when God will reverse the captivity and disgrace of these places, treating them similarly.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to Jerusalem, comparing her to Sodom and Samaria—two cities known for their past sins and destruction. The situation is one of judgment, but here God hints at a future restoration for all three, not just Jerusalem. This is surprising because Sodom, especially, was seen as beyond hope, yet God promises to bring back its “captivity” just as He will for Jerusalem and Samaria.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:53

  • The word “again” (שׁוּב, shuv) means “to return” or “to restore.” Here, it emphasizes that God is not just ending exile but actively bringing people back and restoring their fortunes.
  • “Captivity” (שְׁבִית, shevit) appears several times and refers to people taken away as captives or the state of being exiled. The repetition underlines that God is addressing the return from exile for all three groups—Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem.
  • “Sodom” (סְדֹם, Sedom) and “Samaria” (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) are named to make clear that God’s restoration is not limited to Jerusalem; even places with terrible reputations are included.
  • “Daughters” (בַּת, bat) means the smaller towns or communities connected to these main cities, showing the restoration is broad and not just for the main city itself.

Why Ezekiel 16:53 matters

  • This verse challenges the idea that some people or places are beyond God’s mercy, since even Sodom is included in the promise of restoration.
  • It highlights that God’s actions are not just about punishing or rewarding one group; He treats Jerusalem, Samaria, and Sodom with the same standard.
  • In the wider passage, this verse is part of a larger message about Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness, but it also hints at hope and restoration after judgment, showing God’s justice and compassion together.

Where else these words appear

“captivity” Hebrew H7622 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • Jeremiah 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
  • Jeremiah 49:39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.

“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.

“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.