Ezekiel 16:49-50 - Exposition

It is noticeable that what we commonly speak of as the specific sin of the cities of the plain is not mentioned here. The prophet fixes on the point which made Sodom a luxurious and sensual city, the graver evil being just hinted at in the word abominations , and as the outcome of the evil tendencies. So in like manner the special sin of Samaria, the worship of the calves, is not named, but taken for granted. ( For fulness of bread , see Proverbs 30:9 : Hosea 13:6 ; Deuteronomy 8:12 .) Prosperity and luxury in her case, as in that of other wealthy cities, hardened the hearts of men against the poor and needy. There was probably a sufficient reason for the omission which has been pointed out. It was wiser to dwell on the sins which were common to the two cities rather than on the vice which, though it existed in Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 23:7 ), was probably not prevalent there. As I saw good ; better, according to what I saw. The word "good" is not in the Hebrew, and the words apparently refer to Genesis 18:21 .