King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:47 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:47 in the King James Version says “Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 16:47 · KJV

Context

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.

49

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations—the initial negative creates expectation of commendation, which the verse immediately subverts: but, as if that were a very little thing (כִּמְעַט קָט, kim'at qat—'as a trifling thing'). This rhetorical structure emphasizes Jerusalem's comparative wickedness.

Thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways—the Hebrew shachat (שָׁחַת, corrupted) means ruined, destroyed, morally perverted. Jerusalem didn't merely imitate Sodom and Samaria; she surpassed them. This hyperbolic comparison functions to shock Jerusalem out of self-righteous complacency. The city that possessed God's temple, law, prophets, and covenant exceeded in wickedness cities with none of these advantages. Greater light brings greater responsibility and, when rejected, greater condemnation (Luke 12:48).

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Historical & Cultural Context

By Ezekiel's time (590s BC), Jerusalem had witnessed Samaria's destruction (722 BC) yet persisted in identical sins: syncretistic worship, alliances with pagan nations, social injustice, and false prophecy. Despite possessing the Davidic dynasty, Solomonic temple, prophetic tradition, and Mosaic law—advantages Samaria and Sodom lacked—Jerusalem's behavior was comparatively worse given her privileges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does spiritual privilege without obedience increase rather than decrease our guilt?
  2. In what areas might we be 'corrupted more' than those with less biblical knowledge?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְלֹ֤א1 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

דְּרָכָֽיִךְ׃2 of 11

“after their ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָלַ֔כְתְּ3 of 11

“Yet hast thou not walked”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּבְתוֹעֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֖ן4 of 11

“after their abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

עָשִׂ֑יתי5 of 11

“nor done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּמְעַ֣ט6 of 11

“little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

קָ֔ט7 of 11

“but as if that were a very”

H6985

a little, i.e., (adverbially) merely

וַתַּשְׁחִ֥תִי8 of 11

“thing thou wast corrupted”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

מֵהֵ֖ן9 of 11

“more than they”

H2004

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּכָל10 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דְּרָכָֽיִךְ׃11 of 11

“after their ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

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 16:47 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 16:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 21:9Ezekiel 16:51Ezekiel 16:48Ezekiel 5:6-71 Kings 16:311 Corinthians 5:1

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