Ezekiel 16:55

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Tes soeurs, Sodome et ses filles, reviendront à leur premier état, Samarie et ses filles reviendront à leur premier état; et toi et tes filles, vous reviendrez à votre premier état.

What Does This Mean?

This verse says that when Sodom and Samaria, along with their cities, return to how they used to be, then you and your cities will also return to how you used to be. The speaker is God, through the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing that Jerusalem's fate is tied to the fates of these other cities.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your friends had a big fight and everyone got mad. But one day, your friends start to act like they used to before the fight. God is saying that when this happens, you and your friends will also start to act like you used to before the fight.

Historical Background

Ezekiel wrote this during the Babylonian exile, around the 6th century BC. He was speaking to the people of Judah, using Sodom and Samaria as references to emphasize their sins and the consequences of those sins.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this can apply to a situation where a group of people have a falling out. When one party starts to make amends and work towards reconciliation, it often paves the way for others to do the same.

Topics

• reconciliation
• judgment
• sin
• promise
• fate
• history

Related Verses

• Isaiah 1:9
• Jeremiah 23:14
• Matthew 11:23
• Luke 17:32
• Romans 9:29

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'return to their former estate' mean?

It means to go back to how things were before, often referring to a previous state of life or condition.

Why are Sodom and Samaria mentioned?

These cities are used as examples of how God's judgment works, and they represent the consequences of sin, which Ezekiel is applying to Jerusalem.

How does this verse relate to forgiveness?

It shows that God's forgiveness and restoration are tied to the willingness of a community to return to righteousness, as indicated by the example of Sodom and Samaria.

Can this verse be applied to personal life?

Yes, it can be seen as a reminder that personal and communal actions have consequences, and the path to restoration involves returning to a state of righteousness.