Ezekiel 16:55 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 16:55 mean?

Ezekiel 16:55 says that Sodom and Samaria, called “sisters,” along with their “daughters,” will return to their former state, and then Jerusalem and her “daughters” will also return to their former state. The verse uses the idea of restoration or reversal of past judgment as a comparison for Jerusalem’s future.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, using the cities of Sodom and Samaria as examples. The “sisters” and their “daughters” refer to these cities and their surrounding towns or people. The verse is part of a larger passage where Jerusalem is compared to these other cities to highlight her unfaithfulness, but here, the focus is on the possibility of restoration after judgment.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 16:55

• “Sisters” (אֲחֹיוֹת, ’achayot): This word is used to describe Sodom and Samaria in relation to Jerusalem, emphasizing a family-like connection and shared guilt or fate.
• “Return” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means “to turn back” or “to restore.” Here, it carries the sense of being brought back to a previous condition, suggesting the idea of restoration after destruction.
• “Estate” (קֶדֶם, qedem): This word means “former state” or “earlier condition.” It highlights the idea of returning to how things were before judgment fell on these cities.

Why Ezekiel 16:55 matters

• Ezekiel 16:55 challenges the common view that Sodom and Samaria’s destruction was final, by suggesting the possibility of their restoration as a way to make a point about Jerusalem’s own future.
• The verse emphasizes that Jerusalem’s fate is tied to the fate of other cities known for their sin, making the warning and hope of restoration more striking.
• This verse connects to the wider passage where God uses shocking comparisons to confront Jerusalem’s pride and to show that restoration is possible even after severe judgment.