What is the meaning of Ezekiel 16:55? Your sisters: Sodom with her daughters Sodom, destroyed in Genesis 19, is pictured here as Jerusalem’s “sister.” That language stresses family likeness—shared moral accountability before God (Isaiah 1:10). The “daughters” are the smaller towns once linked to Sodom (Deuteronomy 29:23). By calling them sisters, the Lord reminds Jerusalem that infamous Sodom’s sin (Ezekiel 16:49–50) now mirrors her own. Even Jesus later cites Sodom to warn of judgment and mercy (Matthew 11:23–24; Luke 17:28–29). •The shocking comparison forces Judah to see herself plainly. •If God judged Sodom, Judah cannot presume immunity (2 Peter 2:6). •Yet the mention of Sodom sets up an unexpected note of future grace, anticipating Ezekiel 16:60–63. Samaria with her daughters Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom, fell to Assyria in 722 BC (2 Kings 17). Her “daughters” are the surrounding settlements. Like Jerusalem, Samaria had once enjoyed covenant privileges but turned to idolatry (Hosea 8:5–6). Ezekiel has already called the two capitals “Oholah” and “Oholibah,” adulterous sisters (Ezekiel 23). The Lord’s reminder here presses home that Jerusalem’s religious heritage did not spare her any more than it spared Samaria. •Samaria’s downfall is a warning (Jeremiah 3:6–11), yet God still speaks of her future. •His dealings with Israel’s divided kingdoms reveal both impartial judgment and unchanging covenant love (Amos 9:8–15). Will return to their former state The promise that Sodom and Samaria “will return to their former state” (Ezekiel 16:55) sounds almost unbelievable after total devastation. Taking the words at face value: •“Former state” looks back to a time before judgment, when each region enjoyed settled life. In keeping with Ezekiel 16:53–54, God intends to reverse captivity and ruin. •Scripture often pairs judgment with restoration: compare Moab in Jeremiah 48:47 and Elam in Jeremiah 49:39. •In the larger prophetic canvas, the land south of the Dead Sea (Sodom’s region) and the hills of Samaria are included in future blessing when Messiah reigns (Isaiah 35:1–2; Ezekiel 47:8–12). Thus the verse underscores both God’s power to rebuild hopeless ruins and His determination to vindicate His own holiness by showing mercy where none is expected. You and your daughters will also return to your former state Jerusalem, the primary addressee, will share in that same restoration. Ezekiel has already promised that the exiles will come home (Ezekiel 11:17; 36:24). Here the Spirit links Judah’s return with the return of her “sisters,” making three clear points: •Restoration is entirely God’s gift—Jerusalem cannot claim superior merit (Romans 11:32). •The Lord’s final plan gathers and reconciles, healing old rivalries between north and south (Ezekiel 37:15–22). •When Judah is restored, she will remember her sin, loathe it, and never open her mouth in pride again (Ezekiel 16:61–63). Grace produces humble gratitude. summary Ezekiel 16:55 announces a surprising, sweeping restoration: the notorious ruins of Sodom, the fallen capital of Samaria, and devastated Jerusalem itself will all be brought back to life by the same gracious hand that once judged them. The verse showcases God’s fidelity to His covenant, His authority over nations and geography, and His purpose to humble pride so that mercy, not merit, gets the last word. |
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