Ezekiel 16:51
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.
Original Language Analysis
חַטֹּאתַ֖יִךְ
of thy sins
H2403
חַטֹּאתַ֖יִךְ
of thy sins
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
3 of 16
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חָטָ֑אָה
committed
H2398
חָטָ֑אָה
committed
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וַתַּרְבִּ֤י
but thou hast multiplied
H7235
וַתַּרְבִּ֤י
but thou hast multiplied
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
6 of 16
to increase (in whatever respect)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֖יִךְ
in all thine abominations
H8441
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֖יִךְ
in all thine abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
מֵהֵ֔נָּה
more than they
H2007
מֵהֵ֔נָּה
more than they
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
9 of 16
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
וַתְּצַדְּקִי֙
and hast justified
H6663
וַתְּצַדְּקִי֙
and hast justified
Strong's:
H6663
Word #:
10 of 16
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲחוֹתַ֔ךְ
thy sisters
H269
אֲחוֹתַ֔ךְ
thy sisters
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
12 of 16
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֖יִךְ
in all thine abominations
H8441
תּוֹעֲבֹתַ֖יִךְ
in all thine abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
Historical Context
Samaria's sins included golden calf worship at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30), Ba'al worship under Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31-33), child sacrifice, and syncretism (2 Kings 17:7-18). Despite witnessing Samaria's destruction as divine warning, Judah under Manasseh and later kings practiced identical sins plus temple prostitution and Molech worship in the Hinnom Valley.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our sin 'justify' the wicked by making their behavior seem relatively acceptable?
- What warnings have we witnessed in others' spiritual failures that we are tempted to ignore?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins—a devastating quantitative comparison. Samaria (Northern Kingdom) fell to Assyria in 722 BC for idolatry (2 Kings 17), yet Jerusalem's sins were double. Thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they—the Hebrew ravah (רָבָה, multiplied) emphasizes abundance and excess.
And hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done—the Hebrew tsadaq (צָדַק, justified) means declared righteous, vindicated. By exceeding Sodom and Samaria in wickedness, Jerusalem made them appear relatively righteous. This comparative justification functions ironically: Jerusalem's behavior was so egregious that cities destroyed for covenant unfaithfulness seem moderate by comparison. Paul uses similar logic in Romans 2:17-24—Jewish covenant breaking causes Gentiles to blaspheme God's name.