King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:46 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:46 in the King James Version says “And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwell...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. thy younger: Heb. lesser than thou”

Ezekiel 16:46 · KJV

Context

44

Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.

45

Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

46

And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. thy younger: Heb. lesser than thou

47

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. as if: or, that was lothed as a small thing

48

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.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thine elder sister is Samaria—the Northern Kingdom destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC for covenant unfaithfulness. At thy left hand (northward from Jerusalem) positions Samaria geographically and theologically. Thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom (southward)—the archetypal city of judgment destroyed by fire (Genesis 19).

This geographical-moral mapping creates a shocking tableau: Jerusalem stands between two destroyed cities representing God's judgment on apostasy and moral corruption. The Hebrew kinship terms achot (אָחוֹת, sister) implies shared character, not just proximity. By calling Sodom her 'younger sister,' the text suggests Jerusalem had even less excuse—Sodom lacked Jerusalem's revelation, temple, prophets, and covenant privileges. This verse sets up the devastating comparison in verses 47-52.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria fell to Assyria in 722 BC for idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness (2 Kings 17). Ezekiel's audience (circa 590 BC) had witnessed this judgment. Sodom's destruction circa 2000 BC (Genesis 19) was legendary. Positioning Jerusalem between these judged cities would shock hearers—the holy city now morally aligned with history's most notorious examples of divine wrath.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does greater spiritual privilege bring greater accountability for faithfulness?
  2. What modern 'Samarias' and 'Sodoms' serve as warnings that we ignore at our peril?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַאֲחוֹתֵ֞ךְ1 of 15

“sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה2 of 15

“And thine elder”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

שֹֽׁמְרוֹן֙3 of 15

“is Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

הִ֣יא4 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּבְנוֹתֶֽיהָ׃5 of 15

“and her daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַיּוֹשֶׁ֙בֶת֙6 of 15

“that dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל7 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂמֹאולֵ֑ךְ8 of 15

“at thy left hand”

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

וַאֲחוֹתֵ֞ךְ9 of 15

“sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

הַקְּטַנָּ֣ה10 of 15

“and thy younger”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

מִמֵּ֗ךְ11 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיּוֹשֶׁ֙בֶת֙12 of 15

“that dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מִֽימִינֵ֔ךְ13 of 15

“at thy right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

סְדֹ֖ם14 of 15

“is Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וּבְנוֹתֶֽיהָ׃15 of 15

“and her daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 16:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 16:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:4Ezekiel 16:61Ezekiel 16:51Jeremiah 3:8-11Genesis 13:10-13Ezekiel 16:53-56

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Ezekiel 16 →

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