Ezekiel 16:56

56 Didn't you joke about Sodom in those days when you were proud

Ezekiel 16:56 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 16:56

For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth
Or, "was not for a hearing", or "a report, in thy mouth" F7; the destruction of Sodom, though it was such an awful judgment of God, so flagrant and notorious, was visible and just at hand; yet it was not taken notice of, nor talked of; it was not the subject of conversation among friends; it was not reported from father to son, or heard of the one by the other; it was not regarded, nor was warning taken by it, which might have been, had it been more frequently mentioned; but they did not care, or neglected to speak of it; though it was "an ensample to those that should after live ungodly", ( 2 Peter 2:6 ) ; yet it was not for instruction to them, as the Targum paraphrases it; they learned nothing by it; or Sodom was so infamous for sin and punishment, that they scorned to make mention of its name; and yet they were as great Or greater sinners, and deserving of sorer punishment: in the day of thy pride;
or "prides", or "excellencies" F8; in the time of their prosperity, in the days of David and Solomon, and other kings of Judah. Prosperity is apt to make men proud, and to lift them above themselves; and to forget what they have been, and what they may be; and to neglect observing the judgments of God on others, and to take warning by them.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Kypb hewmvl) "in auditu in ore tuo", Pagninus, Montanus; "in auditum", Vatablus.
F8 (Kynwag Mwyb) "in die superbiarum tuarum", Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin; "in die excellentiarum tuarum", Piscator; "in die erectionum tuarum", Cocceius, Starckius.

Ezekiel 16:56 In-Context

54 You will be ashamed of yourself, and your disgrace will show your sisters how well-off they are.
55 They will become prosperous again, and you and your villages will also be restored.
56 Didn't you joke about Sodom in those days when you were proud
57 and before the evil you did had been exposed? Now you are just like her - a joke to the Edomites, the Philistines, and your other neighbors who hate you.
58 You must suffer for the obscene, disgusting things you have done." The Lord has spoken.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.