King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:61 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:61 in the King James Version says “Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.”

Ezekiel 16:61 · KJV

Context

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.

60

Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

61

Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

62

And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:

63

That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. God promises restoration that will produce genuine repentance and expanded blessing beyond original covenant terms. The remembrance of sin will produce godly shame, and the inclusion of outsiders will demonstrate pure grace.

Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed describes response to divine grace. When God restores despite unworthiness, genuine repentance follows—not mere regret over consequences but godly sorrow over sin itself (2 Corinthians 7:10). Remembering thy ways in light of grace produces humble shame, not proud self-justification.

When thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger refers to Samaria (north/elder) and Sodom (south/younger) mentioned earlier (v.46). I will give them unto thee for daughters indicates these outsiders will be incorporated into covenant relationship. But not by thy covenant emphasizes this is pure grace, not based on the Mosaic covenant which Israel broke but on God new covenant initiative.

From Reformed perspective, this anticipates the gospel breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-22). The new covenant includes outsiders not because they earned it but through divine grace. It also teaches that true repentance comes from experiencing unmerited grace, not from trying to earn salvation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria (northern kingdom) fell to Assyria in 722 BC; Sodom had been destroyed centuries earlier as paradigm of divine judgment (Genesis 19). That God would restore even these represents shocking grace—incorporating those under ultimate judgment into covenant blessing. This anticipates Gentile inclusion in the church.

The phrase not by thy covenant indicates the new covenant basis differs from Mosaic covenant. Israel cannot claim Gentile exclusion based on Mosaic law which they themselves violated. The new arrangement operates on different principles: grace, faith, internal transformation, not ethnic descent or Torah observance.

Post-exilic Judaism struggled with this tension: should restored community be exclusive (Ezra-Nehemiah emphasis on separation) or inclusive (Isaiah-Jonah universal vision)? Christianity resolved this through Jesus: the new covenant includes all who believe, transcending ethnic boundaries while maintaining continuity with God promises to Abraham.

For Ezekiel audience, this promise was both humbling (Gentiles included in grace) and hopeful (God covenant purposes would succeed despite Israel failure). It pointed toward God ultimate purpose: global blessing through Abraham seed (Genesis 12:3), fulfilled in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does receiving grace produce genuine shame over sin rather than proud self-righteousness?
  2. What does incorporation of outsiders teach about the basis of the new covenant?
  3. In what ways does God restoration go beyond mere return to status quo?
  4. How should recognition that we have no special claim on grace affect our attitude toward others?
  5. What does inclusion of Gentiles in Christ church teach about the scope of divine grace (Ephesians 2:11-22)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְזָכַ֣רְתְּ1 of 18

“Then thou shalt remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אֶת2 of 18
H853

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

דְּרָכַיִךְ֮3 of 18

“thy ways”

H1870

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

וְנִכְלַמְתְּ֒4 of 18

“and be ashamed”

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

בְּקַחְתֵּ֗ךְ5 of 18

“when thou shalt receive”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת6 of 18
H853

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

אֲחוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙7 of 18

“thy sisters”

H269

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

הַגְּדֹל֣וֹת8 of 18

“thine elder”

H1419

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

מִמֵּ֔ךְ9 of 18
H4480

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

אֶל10 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקְּטַנּ֖וֹת11 of 18

“and thy younger”

H6996

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

מִמֵּ֑ךְ12 of 18
H4480

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

וְנָתַתִּ֨י13 of 18

“and I will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶתְהֶ֥ן14 of 18
H853

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

לָ֛ךְ15 of 18
H0
לְבָנ֖וֹת16 of 18

“them unto thee for daughters”

H1323

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

וְלֹ֥א17 of 18
H3808

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

מִבְּרִיתֵֽךְ׃18 of 18

“but not by thy covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

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 16:61 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 16:61 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 8:13Galatians 4:26-31Ezekiel 20:43Romans 15:16Ephesians 3:6Romans 11:11

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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