Ezekiel 16:49 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sodom's primary sin was pride, material excess, and neglect of the poor while enjoying abundant idleness.
The Context of Ezekiel 16:49
Sodom's primary sin was identified as pride, excess, and social hardness.
What Does Ezekiel 16:49 Mean?
Sodom's defining iniquity is identified: pride in her heart, material plenty ('fulness of bread'), abundant leisure ('idleness'), and social callousness—refusal to aid the poor and needy. This characterization differs from the common understanding of Sodom's sin as only sexual perversion, instead emphasizing pride, materialism, and social hardness.
The verse presents a holistic picture of Sodom's spiritual failure: arrogance about her own status, self-indulgence without spiritual discipline, and hardheartedness toward the vulnerable. These attitudes prevented her from recognizing God's rightful claim on her or her obligation to God's values of justice and mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 16:49
What does Ezekiel 16:49 mean?
Sodom's primary sin was pride, material excess, and neglect of the poor while enjoying abundant idleness.
What is the context of Ezekiel 16:49?
Sodom's primary sin was identified as pride, excess, and social hardness.