Ezekiel 16:61 Meaning and Explanation
“Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem will remember her shameful ways and receive her sisters as daughters under a different covenant arrangement.
The Context of Ezekiel 16:61
Restored Jerusalem will remember her shame and receive sisters as daughters.
What Does Ezekiel 16:61 Mean?
In restoration, Jerusalem will experience deep shame and remembrance of her ways—not as punishment but as part of spiritual restoration. She will receive her sisters Samaria and Sodom as 'daughters'—establishing a new relationship where she becomes, paradoxically, the elder among equals.
The phrase 'not by thy covenant' is significant: this new arrangement is not based on the same covenant that Jerusalem broke. The relationship to her sisters is established differently—not through Jerusalem's faithfulness or achievement but through grace. The restored relationship will have a different foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 16:61
What does Ezekiel 16:61 mean?
Jerusalem will remember her shameful ways and receive her sisters as daughters under a different covenant arrangement.
What is the context of Ezekiel 16:61?
Restored Jerusalem will remember her shame and receive sisters as daughters.