What does Ezekiel 16:51 mean?
"Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done." - Ezekiel 16:51
Ezekiel 16:51 in the King James Version reads, "Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel, in which the prophet uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife to describe the unfaithfulness of the people of Jerusalem and Samaria to God. In this particular verse, Ezekiel is comparing the sins of Jerusalem to those of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
The verse begins by stating that Samaria has not committed half of the sins of Jerusalem. This suggests that both cities have sinned, but Jerusalem's sins are much greater. The verse goes on to say that Jerusalem has multiplied their abominations more than Samaria. This implies that not only have the people of Jerusalem sinned more, but they have also done so to a greater degree.
The verse concludes by stating that Jerusalem has justified their sisters, meaning Samaria, in all their abominations. This suggests that Jerusalem's sins have had a corrupting influence on Samaria. Rather than leading by example and upholding moral standards, Jerusalem has instead enabled and encouraged Samaria to engage in similar sinful behavior.
In a broader sense, this verse is a condemnation of Jerusalem's behavior and a warning of the consequences of their actions. It serves as a reminder that God holds His people to a higher standard and expects them to set a positive example for others. In this case, Jerusalem has failed in this regard and is being held accountable for their actions.
The theme of sin and its consequences is one of the central themes of the Bible, and it is certainly present in this verse. The passage as a whole serves as a powerful warning about the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance and turning back to God.
In terms of the historical context, this verse was likely written during the time of the Babylonian exile, when the people of Jerusalem were being punished for their disobedience to God. The prophet Ezekiel was speaking to the exiled Israelites, reminding them of the reasons for their current situation and calling them to repentance.
Symbolically, the comparison between Jerusalem and Samaria can also be seen as representing the larger theme of spiritual unfaithfulness. Throughout the Bible, God's relationship with His people is often described in terms of a marriage, with God as the faithful husband and His people as the unfaithful wife. This imagery is used to convey the depth of the relationship between God and His people, and the pain and betrayal that comes with unfaithfulness.
Overall, Ezekiel 16:51 is a powerful and cautionary verse that speaks to the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the potential for redemption, even in the face of great sin and disobedience.
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Ezekiel 16:51 - "Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done."
"Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done." - Ezekiel 16:51
Psalms 51:16 - "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering."
"For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering." - Psalms 51:16
Jeremiah 51:16 - "When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures."
Isaiah 51:16 - "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."
Ezekiel 16:35 - "¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:"
Ezekiel 16:2 - "Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,"
Ezekiel 36:16 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 16:1 - "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 45:16 - "All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel."
Ezekiel 16:56 - "For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,"
Ezekiel 39:16 - "And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land."
Ezekiel 16:32 - "But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!"
Ezekiel 16:58 - "Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD."
Ezekiel 16:16 - "And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so."
Ezekiel 43:16 - "And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof."
Ezekiel 3:16 - "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 16:62 - "And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:"
Ezekiel 16:23 - "And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)"
Ezekiel 21:16 - "Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set."
Ezekiel 16:21 - "That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?"
Ezekiel 42:16 - "He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about."
Ezekiel 16:12 - "And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head."
"¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:" - Ezekiel 16:35
Ezekiel 47:16 - "Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar-hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran."
Ezekiel 20:16 - "Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols."
Ezekiel 16:11 - "I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck."
Ezekiel 16:50 - "And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good."
Ezekiel 22:16 - "And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD."