King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:57 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:57 in the King James Version says “Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round a...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 16:57 · KJV

Context

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

58

Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD. borne: Heb. borne them

59

For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The Hebrew gillâ (גִּלָּה, "discovered") means uncovered, exposed, laid bare—Jerusalem's hidden wickedness became public knowledge through judgment. The reproach of the daughters of Syria refers to mockery from surrounding nations who witnessed Jerusalem's downfall. The Arameans (Syria) and Philistines, ancient enemies, now despised covenant-breaking Jerusalem.

This verse reveals the public shame of exposed sin. Before judgment, Jerusalem kept up religious appearances while practicing secret abominations. Judgment strips away pretense, exposing reality. The nations' contempt fulfilled covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:37). Those who should have been awed by Yahweh's holy people instead mocked their hypocrisy. The greatest tragedy isn't that pagans mocked Israel, but that Israel's covenant unfaithfulness gave them grounds to mock. This anticipates Paul's indictment: "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you" (Romans 2:24, quoting Isaiah 52:5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Arameans (Syria) and Philistines were perennial enemies of Israel/Judah throughout the monarchic period. By Ezekiel's time (593-586 BC), these nations witnessed Babylon's siege of Jerusalem. Rather than seeing Yahweh's power, they saw covenant failure deserving mockery. The shame was religious, not merely political—the people who claimed unique relationship with the Creator God were destroyed like any other nation. Lamentations 2:15-16 describes passersby mocking Jerusalem's ruins. The exposure of wickedness through judgment vindicated God's holiness while devastating Israel's reputation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does secret sin, once exposed, bring greater shame than if it had been confessed earlier?
  2. In what ways might your hidden hypocrisy cause unbelievers to despise Christianity and blaspheme God's name?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
בְּטֶרֶם֮1 of 15
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

תִּגָּלֶ֣ה2 of 15

“was discovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

רָעָתֵךְ֒3 of 15

“Before thy wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

כְּמ֗וֹ4 of 15
H3644

as, thus, so

עֵ֚ת5 of 15

“as at the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

חֶרְפַּ֣ת6 of 15

“of thy reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

בְּנ֣וֹת7 of 15

“her the daughters”

H1323

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

אֲרָ֔ם8 of 15

“of Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וְכָל9 of 15
H3605

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

מִסָּבִֽיב׃10 of 15

“and all that are round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

בְּנ֣וֹת11 of 15

“her the daughters”

H1323

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

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים12 of 15

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הַשָּׁאט֥וֹת13 of 15

“which despise”

H7590

one contemning

אוֹתָ֖ךְ14 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִסָּבִֽיב׃15 of 15

“and all that are round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 16:57 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 16:57 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 16:5-7Ezekiel 16:36-372 Chronicles 28:5-6Isaiah 7:12 Chronicles 28:18-23Lamentations 4:22

Places in This Verse

PhilistiaRegion · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E22 verses across 14 books
Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
View all places in Ezekiel 16 →

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