King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:52 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:52 in the King James Version says “Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable tha...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.”

Ezekiel 16:52 · KJV

Context

50

And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

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.

52

Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.

53

When I shall bring again their captivity , the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:

54

That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou art a comfort unto them.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters—Jerusalem had smugly condemned Samaria and Sodom while committing worse sins (cf. Matthew 7:1-5). Bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable than they—the Hebrew kelimmah (כְּלִמָּה, shame) denotes public humiliation and disgrace. Jerusalem must now experience the covenant curse of shame she self-righteously pronounced on others.

They are more righteous than thou (צָדְקוּ מִמֵּךְ)—a comparative, not absolute, righteousness. Sodom and Samaria remain wicked cities under judgment, but Jerusalem's greater light makes her wickedness comparatively worse. Yea, be thou confounded also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters—the Hebrew bosh (בּוֹשׁ, confounded) means ashamed, humiliated. Jerusalem's self-righteous judging while exceeding in wickedness brings double shame: for her sins and for her hypocrisy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Pharisees exhibited identical self-righteous judgment while transgressing God's law (Matthew 23). Jesus's parable of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) and his confrontation with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) illustrate the principle of this verse—those who judge others while sinning themselves receive greater condemnation.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas are you tempted to judge others while committing 'more abominable' sins yourself?
  2. How does understanding that 'they are more righteous than thou' function to humble self-righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
גַּם1 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַ֣תְּ׀2 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּשְׂאִ֣י3 of 20

“also and bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כְלִמָּתֵ֔ךְ4 of 20

“thine own shame”

H3639

disgrace

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פִּלַּלְתְּ֙6 of 20

“Thou also which hast judged”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אַחְיוֹתֵֽךְ׃7 of 20

“thy sisters”

H269

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

בְּחַטֹּאתַ֛יִךְ8 of 20

“for thy sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

אֲשֶׁר9 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִתְעַ֥בְתְּ10 of 20

“that thou hast committed more abominable”

H8581

to loathe, i.e., (morally) detest

מֵהֵ֖ן11 of 20

“than they”

H2004

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּצַדֶּקְתֵּ֖ךְ12 of 20

“in that thou hast justified”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

מִמֵּ֑ךְ13 of 20
H4480

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

וְגַם14 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַ֥תְּ15 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בּ֙וֹשִׁי֙16 of 20

“than thou yea be thou confounded”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וּשְׂאִ֣י17 of 20

“also and bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כְלִמָּתֵ֔ךְ18 of 20

“thine own shame”

H3639

disgrace

בְּצַדֶּקְתֵּ֖ךְ19 of 20

“in that thou hast justified”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

אַחְיוֹתֵֽךְ׃20 of 20

“thy sisters”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], 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 16:52 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 16:52 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 7:1-5Jeremiah 31:19Ezekiel 36:15Genesis 38:26Ezekiel 39:26Hosea 10:6

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 16 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes