Menu

Ezekiel 16:48

Ezekiel 16:48 in Multiple Translations

As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done.

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

By my life, says the Lord, Sodom your sister never did, she or her daughters, what you and your daughters have done.

As I live, declares the Lord God, your sister Sodom and her daughters didn't ever do what you and your daughters have done.

As I liue, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister hath not done, neither shee nor her daughters, as thou hast done and thy daughters.

I live — an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, Sodom thy sister hath not done — she and her daughters — As thou hast done — thou and thy daughters.

As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “Sodom your sister has not done, she nor her daughters, as you have done, you and your daughters.

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

As I live, saith the Lord God, thy sister Sodom herself, and her daughters, have not done as thou hast done, and thy daughters.

I, Yahweh the Lord, solemnly declare that as surely as I am alive, the people who lived in [MTY] Sodom and other nearby cities never did the detestable things that you people in Jerusalem and other places in Judah have done.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:48

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 16:48 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB חַי אָ֗נִי נְאֻם֙ אֲדֹנָ֣/י יְהוִ֔ה אִם עָֽשְׂתָה֙ סְדֹ֣ם אֲחוֹתֵ֔/ךְ הִ֖יא וּ/בְנוֹתֶ֑י/הָ כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔ית אַ֖תְּ וּ/בְנוֹתָֽיִ/ךְ
חַי chay H2416 alive Adj
אָ֗נִי ʼănîy H589 I Pron
נְאֻם֙ nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֣/י ʼĂdônây H136 Lord N-mp | Suff
יְהוִ֔ה Yᵉhôvih H3069 YHWH/God N-proper
אִם ʼim H518 if Conj
עָֽשְׂתָה֙ ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-3fs
סְדֹ֣ם Çᵉdôm H5467 Sodom N-proper
אֲחוֹתֵ֔/ךְ ʼâchôwth H269 sister N-fs | Suff
הִ֖יא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron
וּ/בְנוֹתֶ֑י/הָ bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Conj | N-fp | Suff
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel
עָשִׂ֔ית ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-2fs
אַ֖תְּ ʼattâh H859 you(m.s.) Pron
וּ/בְנוֹתָֽיִ/ךְ bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Conj | N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:48

חַי chay H2416 "alive" Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
אָ֗נִי ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
נְאֻם֙ nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
אֲדֹנָ֣/י ʼĂdônây H136 "Lord" N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִ֔ה Yᵉhôvih H3069 "YHWH/God" N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
עָֽשְׂתָה֙ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
סְדֹ֣ם Çᵉdôm H5467 "Sodom" N-proper
Sodom was a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness and corruption. According to the book of Genesis, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as a judgment for their sins. The city has become a symbol of evil and immorality.
Definition: Sodom = "burning" a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment Also named: Sodoma (Σόδομα "Sodom" G4670)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Sodom. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 19:28; Isaiah 1:9.
אֲחוֹתֵ֔/ךְ ʼâchôwth H269 "sister" N-fs | Suff
A sister in the Bible can be a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative. In Genesis 4:2, Cain's sister is not named, but in Genesis 24:15, Rebekah is Isaac's cousin and future wife.
Definition: 1) sister 1a) sister (same parents) 1b) half-sister (same father) 1c) relative 1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship 1d) beloved 1d1) bride 1e) (fig.) of intimate connection 1f) another
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other, sister, together. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Samuel 13:22; Proverbs 7:4.
הִ֖יא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וּ/בְנוֹתֶ֑י/הָ bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשִׂ֔ית ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-2fs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אַ֖תְּ ʼattâh H859 "you(m.s.)" Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
וּ/בְנוֹתָֽיִ/ךְ bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Conj | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:48

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
2 Luke 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
3 Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
4 Mark 6:11 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”
5 Matthew 11:23–24 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Ezekiel 16:48 Summary

In Ezekiel 16:48, the Lord GOD is saying that Jerusalem's sins are even worse than those of Sodom, which is often seen as a symbol of great wickedness, as described in Genesis 19:1-29. This verse helps us understand that God judges each person and city based on their own actions, and that we should not compare ourselves to others, but rather look to God's standard of righteousness, as seen in Psalm 51:4. By recognizing the severity of our own sins, we can turn to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lord GOD saying about Sodom in Ezekiel 16:48?

The Lord GOD is saying that Sodom and her daughters never committed the same level of sin as Jerusalem and her daughters, as stated in Ezekiel 16:48, which emphasizes the severity of Jerusalem's depravity in comparison to Sodom's sins, which are described in Ezekiel 16:49-50.

Is Sodom being held up as a virtuous example in Ezekiel 16:48?

No, Sodom is not being held up as a virtuous example, but rather as a comparison to highlight the greater sin of Jerusalem, as the Lord GOD declares that Jerusalem's sins were worse than Sodom's, which were already great enough to warrant destruction, as seen in Genesis 19:1-29.

What is the significance of the Lord GOD saying 'As surely as I live' in Ezekiel 16:48?

When the Lord GOD says 'As surely as I live', it is an oath emphasizing the certainty and gravity of His statement, much like in Deuteronomy 32:40, where God swears by His own life to affirm the truth of His words.

How does Ezekiel 16:48 relate to the overall message of the Bible?

Ezekiel 16:48 fits into the broader biblical theme of God's judgment on sin and His call to repentance, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 18:7-10 and Romans 2:1-11, which emphasize God's justice and mercy in response to human sinfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I may be contributing to the sin and depravity in my own community, and how can I work to bring about positive change?
  2. How can I balance the need to recognize and condemn sin with the call to love and show compassion to those who are struggling with sin, as seen in Ezekiel 16:48 and Matthew 9:10-13?
  3. In what ways can I apply the principle of Ezekiel 16:48 to my own life, recognizing that my sins may be worse than those of others, and seeking to repent and turn to God?
  4. What are some areas in my life where I may be comparing myself favorably to others, rather than recognizing my own sin and need for repentance, as warned against in 2 Corinthians 10:12?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:48

[As] I live, saith the Lord God,.... This is an oath, which the Lord God swore; who, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, by his life; and this he did to confirm what he had and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:48

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. Sodom thy sister hath not done - (Matthew 11:24).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:48

As I live; an oath which God often confirms his word by, and certainly that may be believed which the God of truth confirms by his own oath. See this oath explained, . Hath not done; hath not equalled thy sins, how little soever thou believest this; the disparity lieth in this, she the less, thou the greater sinner.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:48

Ezekiel 16:48 [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.Ver. 48. As I live, saith the Lord God, Sodom thy sister hath not done.] Heb., If Sodom thy sister hath done, &c.; q.d., Then let me never be trusted more. Here, then, is a double oath taken by God, to assure this people that they had outsinned Sodom - a truth that they would not easily assent to. To this day we cannot get men to believe that their natures are so naught, their lives so lewd, their state so dangerous, as the preachers make them. Their hearts are good, their penny good silver, &c. The prophet Isaiah lost his life, say the Rabbis, for calling the rulers of Jerusalem rulers of Sodom, and the people of Judah people of Gomorrah.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:48

48. Cf. Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:24.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:48

’S AND — THE ADOPTED CHILD-WIFE, Ezekiel 16:1-43.In chaps. 13-15 the prophet has shown how untrustworthy are all the Israelitish hopes that punishment will not fall upon them for their sins.

Sermons on Ezekiel 16:48

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen Revelation and the Way of the Cross by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of justification by faith, highlighting Martin Luther's stand against salvation by works. It delves into the truth that our righteousness is l
Jonathan Edwards The Folly of Looking Back in Fleeing Out of Sodom by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards preaches about the folly of looking back when fleeing out of Sodom, drawing parallels between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to the judgment
Andrew Murray Undivided Consecration by Andrew Murray The preacher discusses the concept of being blameless, emphasizing the importance of believers being spotless and faultless before God, striving for a pure character and reputation
John Gill 2 Peter 2:6 by John Gill John Gill emphasizes the severe judgment of God on Sodom and Gomorrah, illustrating how their destruction serves as a warning to future generations about the consequences of ungodl
Thomas Brooks The Pouring Forth of All His Wrath by Thomas Brooks Thomas Brooks emphasizes the duality of God's nature, portraying Him as both merciful and just. He illustrates that while God extends mercy to humanity, His justice will prevail if
Carter Conlon Fast for Prayer in the Square – Day 3 by Carter Conlon The video shown in the sermon is a two-minute preview of what God is expected to do in the future. The pastors will distribute this video to their congregations to give them an ide
Zac Poonen Driving Out the Money Changers by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of having the mind of Christ and being transformed to think like Him. It highlights the need for zeal for God's house, purity in the church, a

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate