Ezekiel 16:56
For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
During Judah's final decades before exile, false prophets proclaimed peace while the nation wallowed in syncretism (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11). Jerusalem's pride was religious—she possessed the temple, Davidic monarchy, and covenant promises, assuming these guaranteed security regardless of conduct. Jeremiah and Ezekiel shattered this presumption. Archaeological evidence confirms late-monarchic Judah's prosperity, which fueled spiritual complacency. The Lachish ostraca and other texts show a society confident in its stability, blind to approaching judgment. This verse warns that seasons of prosperity often breed pride that prevents repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- Who serves as your "Sodom"—the person or group you mentally compare yourself to in order to feel righteous?
- How does self-righteous comparison with others prevent honest examination of your own heart before God's standard?
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Analysis & Commentary
For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride. The Hebrew phrase lō' hāytâ Sedom... lišemû'â befîk (literally, "Sodom was not for a report in your mouth") means Jerusalem never spoke of Sodom except in scorn. In the day of thy pride (beyôm geônēk, בְּיוֹם גְּאוֹנֵךְ) refers to Jerusalem's period of prosperity and arrogance, when she presumed on covenant privilege while practicing abominations surpassing Sodom's.
The verse exposes judgmental pride. Jerusalem mentioned Sodom only to congratulate herself on being better—classic Pharisaism. Jesus similarly condemned those who thanked God they weren't like "other men" (Luke 18:11). Self-righteous comparison blinds us to our own sin. Jerusalem's pride prevented recognition of her worse condition. She invoked Sodom's name to deflect from her own guilt, yet her sins—religious hypocrisy, oppression of the poor, child sacrifice—exceeded Sodom's. Pride always distorts moral vision, making comparative righteousness seem acceptable while absolute righteousness (God's standard) goes unmet.