Ezekiel 16:56

56 "In the past you would not even mention your sister Sodom. You were proud at that time.

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 That will make you feel dishonored. You will be ashamed of everything you have done. You have made them feel better because you sinned more and were punished more than they were.
55 Your sisters Sodom and Samaria and their daughters will return to what they were before. And you and your daughters will return to what you were before.
56 "In the past you would not even mention your sister Sodom. You were proud at that time.
57 That was before your sin was uncovered. Now the daughters of Edom make fun of you. So do all of her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines. Everyone who lives around you looks down on you.
58 You will be punished for your impure conduct. I will also punish you for the other evil things you have done. I hate all of those things," announces the Lord.
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