Ezekiel 16 51

Ezekiel 16:51 kjv

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 nkjv

"Samaria did not commit half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all the abominations which you have done.

Ezekiel 16:51 niv

Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done.

Ezekiel 16:51 esv

Samaria has not committed half your sins. You have committed more abominations than they, and have made your sisters appear righteous by all the abominations that you have committed.

Ezekiel 16:51 nlt

"Even Samaria did not commit half your sins. You have done far more detestable things than your sisters ever did. They seem righteous compared to you.

Ezekiel 16 verses

Ezekiel 16 51 Meaning

This verse states that Samaria has not borne the guilt of Judah; rather, Judah's abominations are greater than Samaria's. Consequently, Judah is disgraced and judged more severely because its transgressions are more numerous and grievous.

Ezekiel 16 51 Context

Chapter 16 of Ezekiel is an extended allegory depicting Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who has surpassed even her "sisters," Samaria and Sodom, in her abominations. This chapter emphasizes Jerusalem's unique privilege and subsequent greater condemnation due to her repeated betrayals of the covenant with God. The verse specifically contrasts Judah's sins with those of Samaria, illustrating the depth of Judah's apostasy. Historically, this prophecy was delivered during the exile, looking back at the sins that led to both the northern kingdom's (Samaria) and the southern kingdom's (Jerusalem/Judah) destruction.

Ezekiel 16 51 Word Analysis

• וְשָׁמָר֔וֹן (wə·šā·mā·rōwn) - "And Samaria" - Refers to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
• לֹ֥א (lō) `im.məh sîn-â·lãh - "did not commit a half of" - Indicates that Samaria's transgressions, though significant, were less in quantity or severity compared to Jerusalem's.
• חֶטְאָלַ֣יִךְ (ḥeṭ·’ā·lî·yiḵ) - "your sins" - Direct address to Jerusalem, referring to her numerous and serious violations of God's covenant.
• כִּי־ (kî) - "but" / "for" - Introduces the contrasting statement about Judah.
• אַ֤תְּ (’aṯ) - "you" - Emphatic personal pronoun referring back to Jerusalem/Judah.
• הִרְבִּ֙ית (hir·bîṯ) - "you have multiplied" / "you have greatly increased" - Denotes an exceeding abundance of wicked deeds.
• תּוֹעֲבֹ֣תַיִךְ (ṯô·‘ă·ḇō·ṯay·yiḵ) - "your abominations" - Refers to acts of detestable worship and practice, particularly idolatry and deviations from God's commands. This is a key term throughout Ezekiel signifying gross sin.
• מִתּוֹעֲבֹ֥ת (mi·ṯō·‘ă·ḇōṯ) - "more than the abominations" - Comparative particle showing the degree of excess in Judah's sinfulness.
• הָאֲחֹ֤ות (hā·’ă·ḥō·wṯ) - "of the sister" - Referring back to Samaria, established in earlier verses as Jerusalem's sister city in sin.
• וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר (wā·’ă·šer) - "and which" - Connects the sins of the sister (Samaria) to Judah's greater transgressions.
• וַתִּשְׁבִּ֥י (wat·tiš·bî) - "you have carried them away captive" / "you have been disgraced" - Can imply either being taken into exile (a consequence of sin) or acting in a way that brings shame and disgrace. Given the context of judgment, the sense of disgrace and the resulting punishment is paramount.
• בְּחֶטְאֵ֣ךְ (bə·ḥeṭ·’êḵ) - "by your sin" / "in your sin" - Attributing the disgrace and judgment directly to Jerusalem's persistent sinfulness.

Word-Group Analysis

• "Samaria did not commit half of your sins...": This phrase starkly contrasts the degree of transgression between the two sister cities, emphasizing that Jerusalem's sins far exceeded even those of the often-condemned Samaria. It highlights the unfaithfulness that led to severe judgment.
• "...but you have multiplied your abominations more than the abominations of the sister...": This amplifies the accusation, pointing out that Jerusalem not only sinned but also "multiplied" them to a degree that surpassed her sister's offenses. "Abominations" (תּוֹעֲבֹ֣ת) are acts that are particularly offensive to God, usually relating to idolatry and perverted worship.
• "...and you have carried them away captive by your sin": This speaks to the consequence. The phrase can mean that Judah's sins have led to their captivity, or that in their sinful state, they have effectively caused their sister cities (and perhaps their own people) to be taken into exile (or perhaps a sense of prideful self-deception leading to destruction). The former is more direct – their sins earned them exile and disgrace.

Ezekiel 16 51 Bonus Section

This verse contributes to the literary technique of "parallelism" within Ezekiel, comparing and contrasting entities to emphasize theological points. The repeated use of "abominations" connects directly to the Levitical laws which prohibited such detestable practices. The overall message resonates with the prophetic warnings found throughout the Old Testament that sin inevitably leads to divine judgment, particularly when it is systemic and persistent, violating covenant relationship. The concept of "carrying them away captive by your sin" also reflects the prophetic understanding of the nation's sin as the direct cause of its downfall and exile.

Ezekiel 16 51 Commentary

Ezekiel 16:51 presents a critical comparison between Judah and Samaria, serving to underscore the extreme depravity of Jerusalem. While Samaria's idolatry and disobedience led to its destruction (722 BC), the text asserts that Judah's sins were numerically and qualitatively worse. This statement is not to excuse Samaria but to highlight the unique culpability of Jerusalem. Having received greater light and covenant privileges, Jerusalem’s apostasy was a more profound betrayal. The mention of multiplying "abominations" points to the pervasive nature of their idolatry, sexual immorality, and injustice. The verse also implies a consequence: the disgrace of being surpassed in sin by a former "sister" and ultimately facing a more severe judgment. This underscores the principle that the greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility and the potential for judgment when that responsibility is neglected. It echoes the New Testament theme that where much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).