Read & explore together
Judgment on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 16:35–58 is a severe prophetic speech against Jerusalem. In this passage, Yahweh speaks of prostitution, exposure, judgement, and shame, then compares Jerusalem with Samaria and Sodom to show how deep her guilt is.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
These verses present Yahweh’s direct accusation and judgement. He names Jerusalem’s prostitution, idols, and the blood of children, then describes public exposure and punishment. After that, he uses a proverb and family comparisons with Samaria and Sodom to show that Jerusalem’s corruption has exceeded cities she might once have treated with pride.
Ezekiel 16:35–58Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh exposes Jerusalem’s sin without excuse and shows that pride over others collapses when her own guilt is revealed.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Yahweh states the chargesThe passage opens with a summons to hear Yahweh’s word. He charges Jerusalem with filthiness, uncovered nakedness through prostitution, abominable idols, and the blood of children given to them.
Explanation
The passage opens with a summons to hear Yahweh’s word. He charges Jerusalem with filthiness, uncovered nakedness through prostitution, abominable idols, and the blood of children given to them. The accusations are direct and specific, so the judgement that follows is shown as a response to named guilt.
02Exposure and public judgementYahweh says the very lovers Jerusalem pursued will be gathered against her. Her nakedness will be uncovered before them, and she will be judged as one who breaks wedlock and sheds blood.
Explanation
Yahweh says the very lovers Jerusalem pursued will be gathered against her. Her nakedness will be uncovered before them, and she will be judged as one who breaks wedlock and sheds blood. Her high places will be torn down, her ornaments taken, and judgement carried out publicly, ending her prostitution.
03A proverb and family comparisonJerusalem is then placed inside a proverb about mother and daughter. The comparison grows wider with named sisters, Samaria and Sodom.
Explanation
Jerusalem is then placed inside a proverb about mother and daughter. The comparison grows wider with named sisters, Samaria and Sodom. Yet the point is not that Jerusalem merely resembles them. Yahweh says she became more corrupt than they were, so the comparison strips away any remaining pride.
04What Sodom’s sin includedThe passage briefly explains Sodom’s iniquity as pride, plenty, prosperous ease, failure to strengthen the poor and needy, arrogance, and abomination.
Explanation
The passage briefly explains Sodom’s iniquity as pride, plenty, prosperous ease, failure to strengthen the poor and needy, arrogance, and abomination. Even with that serious description, Jerusalem is told that her own multiplied abominations make her sisters appear more righteous by comparison. Her shame must therefore be borne by herself.
05Shame replaces prideThe closing verses speak of reversing captivity and returning to a former estate for Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem with their daughters.
Explanation
The closing verses speak of reversing captivity and returning to a former estate for Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem with their daughters. In this setting, Jerusalem is brought to shame because her wickedness has been uncovered. She had once spoken proudly, but now she must bear her lewdness and abominations before Yahweh.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which sins are named plainly at the start of the passage?
List the charges Yahweh himself names, including prostitution, idols, and the blood of children.
02How does the passage show that Jerusalem’s judgement is public and exposing?
Notice the repeated words about being uncovered, stripped, seen by others, and judged in the sight of many.
03What is the effect of comparing Jerusalem with Samaria and Sodom?
Follow the comparison carefully. Yahweh says Jerusalem became more corrupt than they were, so they seemed more righteous than she did.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 16:35–58
35“Therefore, prostitute, hear Yahweh’s word:
36‘The Lord Yahweh says, “Because your filthiness was poured out, and your nakedness uncovered through your prostitution with your lovers; and because of all the idols of your abominations, and for the blood of your children, that you gave to them;
37therefore see, I will gather all your lovers, with whom you have taken pleasure, and all those whom you have loved, with all those whom you have hated. I will even gather them against you on every side, and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness.
38I will judge you as women who break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will bring on you the blood of wrath and jealousy.
39I will also give you into their hand, and they will throw down your vaulted place, and break down your lofty places. They will strip you of your clothes and take your beautiful jewels. They will leave you naked and bare.
40They will also bring up a company against you, and they will stone you with stones, and thrust you through with their swords.
41They will burn your houses with fire, and execute judgments on you in the sight of many women. I will cause you to cease from playing the prostitute, and you will also give no hire any more.
42So I will cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy will depart from you. I will be quiet, and will not be angry any more.
43“ ‘ “Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have raged against me in all these things; therefore, behold, I also will bring your way on your head,” says the Lord Yahweh: “and you shall not commit this lewdness with all your abominations.
44“ ‘ “Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb against you, saying, ‘As is the mother, so is her daughter.’
45You are the daughter of your mother, who loathes her husband and her children; and you are the sister of your sisters, who loathed their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite, and your father an Amorite.
46Your elder sister is Samaria, who dwells at your left hand, she and her daughters; and your younger sister, who dwells at your right hand, is Sodom with her daughters.
47Yet you have not walked in their ways, nor done their abominations; but soon you were more corrupt than they in all your ways.
48As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.
49“ ‘ “Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters. She also didn’t strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50They were arrogant and committed abomination before me. Therefore I took them away when I saw it.
51Samaria hasn’t committed half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all your abominations which you have done.
52You also bear your own shame yourself, in that you have given judgment for your sisters; through your sins that you have committed more abominable than they, they are more righteous than you. Yes, be also confounded, and bear your shame, in that you have justified your sisters.
53“ ‘ “I will reverse their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and the captivity of your captives among them;
54that you may bear your own shame, and may be ashamed because of all that you have done, in that you are a comfort to them.
55Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, will return to their former estate; and Samaria and her daughters will return to their former estate; and you and your daughters will return to your former estate.
56For your sister Sodom was not mentioned by your mouth in the day of your pride,
57before your wickedness was uncovered, as at the time of the reproach of the daughters of Syria, and of all who are around her, the daughters of the Philistines, who despise you all around.
58You have borne your lewdness and your abominations,” says Yahweh.