Bible Strands
Ezekiel 16:57
before your wickedness was uncovered? Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom and all those around her, and by the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ezekiel addresses Jerusalem as a metaphorical wayward wife, delivering this declaration immediately before pronouncing that she will bear the consequences of her lewdness. The prophet speaks during a moment of exposed moral failure, contrasting past hidden sin with present public shame.
The words — The Hebrew תִּגָּלֶה (ti.ga.Leh) translates to "it was uncovered," directly modifying רָעָתֵךְ (ra.'a.te/Kh) for "your wickedness." The phrase בְּנוֹת אֲרָם (be.not Aram) identifies "daughters of Aram" as one group among those now repaying Jerusalem's scorn.
The thread — The text links this prophetic warning to historical accounts where neighboring powers turned against Judah, specifically 2 Kings 16:5, 2 Chronicles 28:5, and 2 Chronicles 28:18. Ezekiel 16:56 and 16:58 immediately bracket this verse, tracing a continuous line from past pride to present reproach and future retribution.
Why it lands — The passage states that hidden corruption will inevitably be exposed, resulting in reversal by those previously despised. It demands recognition that moral failure produces tangible social and political consequences, leaving no room for self-deception about the outcome.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 16:5 Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem. They besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.
- 2 Chronicles 28:5 So the LORD his God delivered Ahaz into the hand of the king of Aram, who attacked him and took many captives to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force.
- 2 Chronicles 28:18 The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.
- Isaiah 7:1 Now in the days that Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, Rezin king of Aram marched up to wage war against Jerusalem. He was accompanied by Pekah son of Remaliah the king of Israel, but he could not overpower the city.
- Ezekiel 16:36 This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them,
- Genesis 10:22 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
- Numbers 23:7 And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
- Isaiah 14:28 In the year that King Ahaz died, this burden was received:
- Jeremiah 33:24 “Have you not noticed what these people are saying: ‘The LORD has rejected the two families He had chosen’? So they despise My people and no longer regard them as a nation.
- Lamentations 4:22 O Daughter of Zion, your punishment is complete; He will not prolong your exile. But He will punish your iniquity, O Daughter of Edom; He will expose your sins.