King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:55 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:55 in the King James Version says “When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall retu...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.”

Ezekiel 16:55 · KJV

Context

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.

55

When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

56

For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride, mentioned: Heb. for a report, or, hearing pride: Heb. prides, or, excellencies

57

Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about. Syria: Heb. Aram despise: or, spoil

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate. This verse introduces an astonishing promise of future restoration even within a chapter dominated by judgment. The threefold repetition of qadmâ (קַדְמָה, "former estate") emphasizes complete restoration to original condition. The structure is conditional: "When" Sodom and Samaria are restored, "then" Jerusalem will be restored.

Scholars debate whether this promises literal restoration of destroyed Sodom or uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the certainty and comprehensiveness of Jerusalem's eventual restoration. The Hebrew allows both readings. What's clear is the theological point: God's covenant faithfulness will ultimately triumph over human unfaithfulness. Despite judgment, the chapter concludes with restoration promises (vv. 60-63). The "former estate" points beyond mere political restoration to eschatological renewal—the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21-22, where covenant unfaithfulness is forever ended through Christ's blood.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This restoration promise was given to exiles who had witnessed Jerusalem's destruction approaching (final fulfillment in 586 BC). The promise seemed absurd—not only would rebellious Jerusalem be restored, but even Sodom and Samaria, long-destroyed cities, would return to former glory. Yet this hyperbolic language conveyed God's unstoppable restorative purposes. The historical return from exile (538 BC onwards) under Persian decree partially fulfilled this, but the ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's return. Early church fathers saw this verse as prophesying inclusion of Gentiles (Sodom/Samaria representing pagan nations) alongside restored Israel in God's eschatological kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to restore even Sodom challenge your assumptions about who is "too far gone" for redemption?
  2. What does this restoration promise reveal about God's character—His mercy triumphing over judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַאֲחוֹתַ֗יִךְ1 of 13

“When thy sisters”

H269

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

סְדֹ֤ם2 of 13

“Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וּבְנוֹתַ֔יִךְ3 of 13

“and her daughters”

H1323

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

תְּשֻׁבֶ֖ינָה4 of 13

“shall return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְקַדְמַתְכֶֽן׃5 of 13

“to their former estate”

H6927

priority (in time); also used adverbially (before)

וְשֹֽׁמְרוֹן֙6 of 13

“and Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתַ֔יִךְ7 of 13

“and her daughters”

H1323

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

תְּשֻׁבֶ֖ינָה8 of 13

“shall return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְקַדְמַתְכֶֽן׃9 of 13

“to their former estate”

H6927

priority (in time); also used adverbially (before)

וְאַתְּ֙10 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבְנוֹתַ֔יִךְ11 of 13

“and her daughters”

H1323

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

תְּשֻׁבֶ֖ינָה12 of 13

“shall return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְקַדְמַתְכֶֽן׃13 of 13

“to their former estate”

H6927

priority (in time); also used adverbially (before)

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 16:55 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 16:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:53Ezekiel 36:11Malachi 3:4

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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