Ezekiel 16:54
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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ezekiel 16 presents Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife in an extended allegory. Written during the Babylonian exile (593-571 BC), the chapter traces Jerusalem from foundling infant (vv. 1-7) through lavish marriage to Yahweh (vv. 8-14) to brazen harlotry (vv. 15-34) to deserved judgment (vv. 35-43). Verses 44-63 compare Jerusalem unfavorably to her "sisters" Samaria (Northern Kingdom, destroyed 722 BC) and Sodom (destroyed in Abraham's time, Genesis 19). The comparison with Sodom was particularly shocking—the city synonymous with wickedness served as Jerusalem's moral superior. This rhetorical strategy shattered the exiles' complacency about their covenant status. Jerusalem had committed spiritual adultery through Canaanite Baalism, political adultery through foreign alliances, and literal murder through child sacrifice to Molech.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual privilege (church upbringing, biblical knowledge, Christian community) increase rather than diminish accountability for sin?
- In what ways might your sin provide "comfort" to unbelievers by confirming their cynicism about Christianity's truthfulness?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The paradox of Jerusalem's judgment is that her gross sin makes even Sodom and Samaria look righteous by comparison. The Hebrew kālam (כָּלַם, "be confounded") means to be publicly humiliated, disgraced. Jerusalem must bear thine own shame—carry the full weight of guilt without excuse or deflection. The phrase "a comfort unto them" uses Hebrew tanḥûmâ (תַּנְחוּמָה), meaning consolation—but ironic consolation. Sodom and Samaria find "comfort" not in restoration but in the fact that Jerusalem's wickedness surpassed theirs.
This devastating verse exposes the sin of self-righteousness. Jerusalem presumed on covenant privilege while exceeding pagan nations in abominations—idolatry, child sacrifice, injustice. Greater privilege brings greater accountability (Luke 12:48). Jerusalem's judgment would be more severe precisely because she had received God's special revelation, temple presence, and covenant promises yet abandoned them. The irony cuts deep: the city chosen to be a light to nations became darker than the nations. This anticipates Jesus' pronouncement that Sodom would fare better in judgment than unrepentant cities that rejected His ministry (Matthew 10:15).